If you're a litigator who does a lot of consumer defense work in California, you might think about writing a thank-you note to Mark Robinson, Jr., senior partner at Robinson, Calcagnie & Robinson. On Monday he won a ruling from the California Supreme Court that will likely ensure you stay busy for the foreseeable future. In a 4-to-3 decision, the court held that Proposition 64, which is designed to curb frivolous consumer lawsuits, does not bar a class action against tobacco companies alleging they misled California smokers through deceptive advertising.

Given that Hewlett-Packard Co.'s last GC and his recently-appointed successor both hailed from Morgan Lewis & Bockius, it's no surprise that the company throws plenty of business the firm's way. And given the firm's performance in shareholder litigation against HP so far this year, the relationship doesn't seem likely to go sour anytime soon.

Cite as 10 C.D.O.S. 9316MATTEL, INC., a Delaware corporation, Defendant-counter-claimantAppellee, v.MGA ENTERTAI

In a jurisdictional muddle, a New Orleans judge ruled that Allan Kanner's client can't proceed with claims against Allstate because another whistleblower got there first--even though the other whistleblower's claims were not only different, but were also voluntarily dismissed.

Six years ago the HMO Kaiser sued Abbott for allegedly blocking generic drugmakers from introducing a cheaper version of Abbott's hypertension drug. After a favorable jury verdict and summary judgment ruling, Abbott seemed to be off the hook. But then the Ninth Circuit got involved.