Download Publication The Second District, on remand from the California Supreme Court, holds a government entity need not disclose any invoices in pending litigation under the Public Records Act. Disclosures in closed matters required under the act are limited to fee totals, if a trial court concludes it would not reveal litigation strategy. A trial […]
Download Publication The Second District holds facts supporting a legal malpractice claim are insufficient to support a breach of fiduciary duty claim. Breach of fiduciary duty requires an additional showing the attorney breached a duty of confidence or loyalty. Broadway Victoria, LLC, was a commercial real estate company owned by Anita Lorber. She also owned […]
Download Publication The Fourth District holds an inadvertent disclosure of an attorney-client communication to a third party is not a knowing waiver. An attorney who improperly uses inadvertently disclosed attorney-client communications can be disqualified. McDermott, Will & Emery LLP (McDermott) attorney Jonathan Lurie provided estate planning services for Marilyn and Dick Hausman. Dick managed Marilyn’s […]
Download Publication The Second District holds there is no privilege when attorney-client communications are disclosed to a public relations consultant who was neither necessary for the communications between the attorney and client, nor necessary to further the interests of the client. Nicholas Behunin, represented by Leonard Steiner and Steiner & Libo, sued Charles and Michael […]
Download Publication Yale v. Browne 2017 WL 947608 (Cal. Ct. App. February 9, 2017, as modified March 10, 2017) The Second District holds under certain circumstances it may be proper to apply the concept of “comparative fault” in legal malpractice actions. While precedent had previously recognized that the concept of “contributory” negligence may apply in […]
Download Publication The Third District holds a client’s receipt of a motion to withdraw stating the attorney is no longer providing legal services terminates the attorney-client relationship for statute of limitations analysis. Stanley Flake and others were represented by Neumiller & Beardslee (Neumiller) in unsuccessful real estate litigation. Neumiller moved to withdraw after trial […]
Download Publication The Supreme Court holds the presence of correctional officers to protect an attorney representing a violent criminal defendant does not deprive the accused of the effective assistance of counsel by violating the confidentiality of attorney client communications. Inmate Anthony Delgado was serving a life sentence under California’s Three Strikes law when he murdered […]
Download Publication The First District holds a press release about a malicious prosecution action is privileged under C.C. §47(d), a fair and true report of an official proceeding, but not under C.C. § 47(b), the litigation privilege. While a student at Harvard Mark Zukerberg answered an ad posted by Paul Ceglia to provide website […]
Download Publication The Second District holds statements to the media about the allegations in a complaint are privileged under C.C. §47(d), a fair and true report of an official proceeding. Michael Drobot owned and operated Healthsmart Pacific Inc. which owned and operated Pacific Hospital, specializing in spinal surgeries. Drobot pled guilty to bribing a state […]
Download Publication The Supreme Court, in a four to three decision, holds whether an attorney client communication is privileged depends on whether the communication bears some relationship to the attorney’s legal services. Invoices, transmitted to allow an attorney to collect a fee, may contain unprivileged information subject to disclosure under the Public Records Act, which […]
