NewsLinks is a collection of recent news items relating primarily to the California judicial branch. NewsLinks does not verify or endorse the accuracy or fairness of the news items, and the views expressed in opinions, editorials, and commentaries are those of the writers only. Some news articles linked from this page may require a subscription or be behind a paywall.

NewsLinks

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 9th Circuit says Roblox waived arbitration by litigating first

    Daily Journal
    September 8, 2026

    (Subscription required) Roblox Corp. waived its right to force a proposed class action into arbitration by spending nearly a year litigating in federal court and seeking dismissal on the merits before invoking its arbitration agreement, a divided 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Thursday.

  • Judicial Profile: Los Angeles County Judge Ann Park

    Daily Journal
    September 4, 2026

    (Subscription required) The former prosecutor found herself learning civil law from scratch and now brings patience, preparation, and a willingness to listen to a busy Norwalk courtroom.

  • Judge clears State Bar access to DTLA records in $4B abuse settlement probe

    Daily Journal
    September 4, 2026

    (Subscription required) State Bar investigators can obtain confidential records from Downtown L.A. Law Group as part of a misconduct investigation tied to Los Angeles County's $4 billion juvenile sex abuse settlement, a judge ruled. Los Angeles County, which asked the State Bar to investigate the firm last year following media reports alleging it improperly recruited and paid people to file false abuse claims, welcomed the ruling Thursday. 

  • State Bar has begun mandatory review of select law firms’ handling of clients’ money

    Times of San Diego
    September 4, 2026

    The initial testing, says the California Bar Association, showed that “attorneys, whether at large firms, medium-size firms, or solo practitioners, are not complying with important record-keeping requirements which, if (they) were in place, would prevent negligent trust fund management errors.”

  • Certification of Recall Petition Confers Public Benefit

    Metropolitan News-Enterprise
    September 4, 2026

    The City of Grover Beach in San Luis Obispo County might be liable for the attorney fees incurred by a civic group ad two individuals in gaining an order that forced the municipality to accept a petition seeking the recall of a City Council member, under a decision by Div. Six of this district’s Court of Appeal which rejects the trial judge’s notion that no significant benefit was conferred on the public.