Cheryl Miller, based in Sacramento, covers the state legislature and emerging industries, including autonomous vehicles and marijuana. She authors the weekly cannabis newsletter Higher Law. Contact her at [email protected]. On Twitter: @CapitalAccounts
October 11, 2024 | The Recorder
Committee Drops In-State Testing Requirement for California Bar ExamThe Committee of Bar Examiners voted Friday to allow applicants to sit for future bar exams, as well as an experimental test scheduled next month, outside the Golden State.
By Cheryl Miller
4 minute read
October 10, 2024 | The Recorder
California Supreme Court Rejects Bar Exam Alternative ProposalThe justices unanimously said a so-called portfolio bar exam would create "an array of ethical and practical problems." The court also rejected a proposal for licensing reciprocity with other states.
By Cheryl Miller
5 minute read
October 10, 2024 | The Recorder
Northern District Prosecutor Among 18 State Judicial AppointeesRobert Leach, head of the U.S. Attorney's Office's special prosecutions unit, was named a Contra Costa County Superior Court judge on Wednesday.
By Cheryl Miller
5 minute read
October 09, 2024 | The Recorder
Appellate Court Finds Inattentive Juror's Removal Reasonable, Not Sign of Bias"No matter what a person's background, race, or economic standing, if the juror does not pay attention, the juror does not belong on any jury," wrote Presiding Justice Arthur Gilbert of the Second District Court of Appeal, Division Six.
By Cheryl Miller
4 minute read
October 08, 2024 | The Recorder
Choice-of-Law Stipulation Doesn't Salvage Unenforceable Contract, Second District Says"No California case yet has directly addressed whether a stipulation to apply California law renders an otherwise unenforceable forum selection clause enforceable," Justice John Segal wrote. "We hold it does not."
By Cheryl Miller
3 minute read
October 03, 2024 | The Recorder
Newsom Signs Pro Bono Disclosure Bill Into LawThe state bar will ask active lawyers how many hours of free and low-cost legal work they performed in the previous calendar year. The information will be kept confidential, and there's no penalty for refusing to provide it.
By Cheryl Miller
3 minute read
October 03, 2024 | The Recorder
New Law Expands Ethical Rules for California NeutralsSB 940, signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom, will create a voluntary, state bar-run program to certify ADR firms and neutrals found to be in compliance with ethics rules.
By Cheryl Miller
3 minute read
October 01, 2024 | The Recorder
Newsom Signs Lemon Law Changes Into Law, Averting Threatened Tort WarGov. Gavin Newsom's approval of AB 1755 means business groups will stop threatening to place a contingency fee cap initiative before voters in 2026 and plaintiffs attorneys won't reciprocate with their own ballot measure.
By Cheryl Miller
3 minute read
September 30, 2024 | The Recorder
After Vetoing AI Bill, Newsom Asks Ex-California Supreme Court Justice for Regulatory IdeasFormer Justice Mariano-Florentino "Tino" Cuéllar, now president of a Washington, D.C., think tank, is part of a group that will advise Gov. Gavin Newsom on possible generative AI guardrails.
By Cheryl Miller
4 minute read
September 30, 2024 | The Recorder
California Bar Examiners Endorse Switch to Kaplan ExamThe California Supreme Court previously said it would not consider a proposal to allow Kaplan Exam Services to write the multiple-choice section of the bar exam unless the Committee on Bar Examiners "considered and approved" the move first.
By Cheryl Miller
3 minute read