Legal Archives - Page 263 of 267

New Bureau of Environmental Justice Seeking Funding and Enforcement Power?

June 6, 2019 2:05 amJune 6, 2019 1:28 pm

In February of 2018, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra created the Bureau of Environmental Justice within the Environment Section at the California Department of Justice. The mission of this agency within an agency is “to protect people and communities that...

Is There Liability for Enacting Unconstitutional Laws?

June 5, 2019 6:00 amJune 2, 2019 9:12 pm

I have occasionally been asked whether there is any recourse when the Legislature and Governor enact a law that violates the state and/or federal constitutions. Obviously, the first action would be to challenge the enacted bill in either a state...

President Trump Lands Sixth Judge on Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

June 3, 2019 10:45 amJune 4, 2019 7:05 am

President Trump has successfully appointed six judges to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Prior to Trump taking office, the Ninth Circuit had 19 Democratic appointees, 6 Republican appointees, and four vacancies, and is the most overturned court of appeals...

Choosing Judges in California

June 3, 2019 6:15 amJune 2, 2019 8:18 am

Members of the California judiciary are selected in one of two ways. The first is for trial judges, those of the Superior Courts, and the second is for appellate court justices. Trial judges are elected by voters at an election...

What is Grassroots Lobbying?

May 31, 2019 7:59 amMay 31, 2019 9:11 am

Grassroots lobbying is an important component of successful lobbying because it is complimentary to direct lobbying of elected officials and their staff to influence their decisions. Grassroots lobbying is sometime referred to as “indirect lobbying,” as opposed to “direct lobbying”...

Convicted Felons Closer to Serving on California Juries

May 28, 2019 6:07 pmJune 10, 2019 12:27 pm

In the State of California, a felony conviction results in a lifetime ban from jury duty. This penalty cannot be restored. Or can it? A bill by Sen. Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) would allow convicted felons to serve on a jury....

California Lawyer Michael Avenatti Indicted and Facing Disbarment?

May 23, 2019 10:53 amMay 23, 2019 12:29 pm

Celebrity attorney Michael Avenatti, and one-time presidential hopeful, was indicted by federal prosecutors Wednesday with defrauding porn film star Stormy Daniels. He was also indicted on charges that he tried to extort up to $25 million from Nike by threatening...