
Trial Opens in Suit Against Electronic Arts Over 'Madden NFL' Royalties
EA's lawyer, Keker & Van Nest partner Susan Harriman, told jurors the programmer who designed the first version of "Madden" has gotten every cent he was owed.
Justices OK 'Pay-for-Delay' Generic Pharmaceutical Deals
In Internet Porn Spat, Prenda Claims Judge Overstepped
Littler Takes Jackson Lewis Partner in S.F.
Ruling on Split Trials Could Hurt Patent Plaintiffs
Supreme Court Strikes Down Arizona Voter Law
Lawyers Uncage the Rocker Within
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At Hersh Firm, a Bad Break
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Alleyne v. United States
Judicial factfinding that increases mandatory minimum sentence no longer permissible under Sixth Amendment (Thomas, J.)
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Litigation exception in federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act does not apply to permit attorneys to access DMV records for purpose of soliciting clients (Kennedy, J.)
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Arizona's evidence-of-citizenship voter registration requirement was preempted by federal statutory mandate that states accept and use uniform federal form (Scalia, J.)
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Salinas v. Texas
Fifth Amendment right to remain silent did not apply to defendant who, prior to being taken into custody and prior to receiving Miranda warnings, initially spoke to police but then declined to answer further questions (Alito, J.)
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Federal Trade Commission v. Actavis, Inc.
Agreements between brand-name and generic drug manufacturers resolving patent disputes are not immune from antitrust scrutiny (Breyer, J.)
9TH U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
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United States v. Gillenwater
Defendant was denied constitutional right to testify at pretrial competency hearing when district court ejected him for disruptive conduct without prior warning (Paez, J.)
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Series AGI West Linn of Appian Group Investors De LLC v. Eves
Continuing guaranty that specifically excluded particular assets but did not provide that exclusion would extend to proceeds of assets sale did not exempt assets from attachment to satisfy obligation (Richman, J.)
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City of Dana Point v. California Coastal Commission (Headlands Reserve LLC)
City's enactment of nuisance abatement ordinance not "appealable action" subject to administrative appellate review by California Coastal Commission (Aaron, J.)
Alleyne v. United States
Judicial factfinding that increases mandatory minimum sentence no longer permissible under Sixth Amendment (Thomas, J.)
Maracich v. Spears
Litigation exception in federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act does not apply to permit attorneys to access DMV records for purpose of soliciting clients (Kennedy, J.)
Arizona v. Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, Inc.
Arizona's evidence-of-citizenship voter registration requirement was preempted by federal statutory mandate that states accept and use uniform federal form (Scalia, J.)
Salinas v. Texas
Fifth Amendment right to remain silent did not apply to defendant who, prior to being taken into custody and prior to receiving Miranda warnings, initially spoke to police but then declined to answer further questions (Alito, J.)
Federal Trade Commission v. Actavis, Inc.
Agreements between brand-name and generic drug manufacturers resolving patent disputes are not immune from antitrust scrutiny (Breyer, J.)
United States v. Gillenwater
Defendant was denied constitutional right to testify at pretrial competency hearing when district court ejected him for disruptive conduct without prior warning (Paez, J.)
Series AGI West Linn of Appian Group Investors De LLC v. Eves
Continuing guaranty that specifically excluded particular assets but did not provide that exclusion would extend to proceeds of assets sale did not exempt assets from attachment to satisfy obligation (Richman, J.)
City of Dana Point v. California Coastal Commission (Headlands Reserve LLC)
City's enactment of nuisance abatement ordinance not "appealable action" subject to administrative appellate review by California Coastal Commission (Aaron, J.)
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Your Skills: Four Keys to Gaining and Holding Credibility
The nature of an appeal calls for the need to make a great first impression and not lose one's reputation in the process, explain Arent Fox attorneys.

Your Skills: Writing a Brief -- Lessons From Literature
Knowing how to present the law and facts in a way not only most persuasive but also most appealing can be learned from great authors, says Tami Fisher of UC-Hastings.

Your Skills: The Key to Persuasion is Credibility
By focusing on brief-writing techniques which highlight honesty and straightforwardness, the attorney gains a head start on appeal, explains Charles Bird of McKenna Long & Aldridge.

Your Skills: Basics of a Sound Appeal
Understanding the standard of review and the mechanics of a brief are essential to effective appellate argument, says Michael Reedy of McManis Faulkner.

Your Skills: Appellate Brief Writing: Before, During and After
There's work to be done before an attorney sits down to draft and after the last keystroke has been entered, explains Gary Watt of Archer Norris.

In Practice: Simple Steps to Stop Counterfeiting
In the recent past, the number of fake consumer product imports has skyrocketed, but brand owners and consumers can take preventive steps, says John Baum of Owen, Wickersham & Erickson.

In Practice: Appellate Court Carves out PAGA Exception to 'Concepcion'
The Sixth District disagrees with the Second on Supreme Court precedent applicability to arbitration waivers, explain Miller Law Group attorneys.
Your Business: Finding a Perfect Match
Growing your practice means attracting the right attorneys for the job; oftentimes making the correct recruiting decision is key, say Seth Davis and Claire Currie of Lighthouse Legal Search.

In Practice: Lessons Learned From the Paris Peace Accords
Forty years later, the famous negotiations illuminate useful lessons for today's counsel, says attorney Dan Lawton.

Your Business: Billing as Marketing
Use the client invoice to communicate the value delivered, accommodate a payment plan and ensure satisfaction and prompt payment, explains Phil Paisley of Interbill Corp.
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Spain, Julia
COURT: Alameda County Superior
ASSIGNMENT: Criminal
APPOINTED: 1998 (elevated through unification)
LAW SCHOOL: UC-Hastings College of the Law
PREVIOUS JUDICIAL EXPERIENCE: Hayward Municipal Court, 1996 to 1998 appointed by Governor Pete Wilson
PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT: Partner, McCarthy Leonard & Spain; executive director, Alameda County Bar Association
AGE: 55
PLACE OF BIRTH: Fayette, Ala.
POLITICAL AFFILIATION: Independent

Forcum, Mark
COURT: San Mateo County Superior
ELECTED: 1992
LAW SCHOOL: Yale Law School
PREVIOUS JUDICIAL EXPERIENCE: Judge, San Mateo County Municipal Court (1987 to 1992)
PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT: McCutchen, Doyle, Brown & Enersen (1980 to 1981); deputy district attorney, San Mateo County (1981 to 1987)
AGE: 58
PLACE OF BIRTH: San Francisco
POLITICAL AFFILIATION: Republican

Giorgi, Loretta
COURT: San Francisco Superior
ASSIGNMENT: Criminal trials
APPOINTED: 2006 by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
LAW SCHOOL: Golden Gate University School of Law
PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT: Deputy city attorney, San Francisco (1985 to 2006)
AGE: 53
PLACE OF BIRTH: San Francisco
POLITICAL AFFILIATION: Democrat

Miram, George
COURT: San Mateo County Superior
ASSIGNMENT: Probate
APPOINTED: 1998 by Governor Pete Wilson
LAW SCHOOL: Pacific McGeorge School of Law
PREVIOUS JUDICIAL EXPERIENCE: Judge, San Mateo County Municipal Court (1995 to 1998)
PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT: District attorney, San Mateo County (1982 to 1985); county counsel, San Mateo County (1985 to 1995)
AGE: 57
PLACE OF BIRTH: San Francisco
POLITICAL AFFILIATION: Independent
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