• San Francisco’s DA wants to change the California constitution

    Mission Local
    September 8, 2026

    The San Francisco district attorney’s office is looking to change California’s constitution, after a recent state Supreme Court decision, In re Kowalczyk, made it harder for the office to hold people charged with low-level offenses in jail before trial, DA Brooke Jenkins said on Tuesday morning.

  • ‘The Pitt’ producers urge California appeals court to reject ‘ER’ lawsuit

    Courthouse News Service
    September 8, 2026

    Producers of “The Pitt” urged a California appeals court to overturn a ruling allowing Michael Crichton’s estate to pursue claims the medical drama borrowed heavily from “ER.”

    Related: ABA Journal

  • California Supreme Court Opens the Door to Alternative-Choice Section 998 Offers

    The Recorder
    September 8, 2026

    (Subscription required) A settlement offer under Code of Civil Procedure Section 998 can alter the allocation of litigation costs and the economics of continuing a lawsuit through trial. But how much flexibility does a party have in structuring that offer? The California Supreme Court answered that question, unanimously rejecting a categorical rule that would invalidate a Section 998 offer simply because it gives the recipient a choice between two alternative, independent offers to settle.

  • California passes bills relating to child use of social media platforms, chatbots

    Sacramento Bee
    September 8, 2026

    California legislators passed several measures relating to social media and artificial intelligence this session that their authors hope will set standards for states across the nation. Specifically, the bills put limits on how chatbot manufacturers and social media companies can treat children. Gov. Gavin Newsom has until Sept. 30 decide the fate of the bills.