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In Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP v. J-M Manufacturing Co., Inc. (8/30/2018 No. S232946), the California Supreme Court held that the conflict of interest of the law firm (“Sheppard Mullin”) rendered its engagement agreement, including an arbitration provision, with its client (“J-M”) unenforceable because the agreement violated the California Rules of Professional Conduct (“RPC”). Although the agreement included an “advance” conflict waiver, the Court deemed it ineffective because She

In Padda v. Superior Court (GI Excellence), No. E070522, the Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District, Division Two, recently held that a trial court abused its discretion in denying Defendants/Cross-Complainants’ request for a trial continuance where their key expert witness suddenly became ill twelve days before trial and before his deposition had been taken.The case arose from an employment-related contract dispute between two Gastroenterologists (hereafter “Petitioners”) and Plaintiff/Cros

Attorneys general from California, Oregon and New York on Thursday filed a motion to intervene in a case between the securities industry and the U.S. Department of Labor, petitioning the full 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to revisit its earlier decision on a rule governing investment advice for retirees.The court, in a 2-1 decision in March, found in favor of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Securities Industry Financial Markets Association and others that argued that the DOL’s fiduciary ru