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

  • Ninth Circuit: Class Certification Stands in Case Over Nestlé’s ‘Sustainability’ Labels

    Metropolitan News-Enterprise
    January 12, 2026

    A divided panel of the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals held Friday that a District Court judge did not err in granting a motion for class certification in an action asserting that Nestlé USA Inc. used deceptive practices, in violation of California law, by labeling its chocolate products as “sustainably” or “responsibly” sourced when they were purportedly produced using child labor and deforestation practices.

  • Judge consolidates Salesforce data breach class actions in Northern California

    Daily Journal
    January 12, 2026

    (Subscription required) A federal judge consolidated 13 Salesforce data breach class actions in Northern California, streamlining claims over alleged negligent data security after a Kentucky court denied multidistrict litigation. 

  • Lost in time, Sonoma County courthouse cornerstone from 1884 to get new life

    The Press Democrat
    January 11, 2026

    On May 7, 1884, an engraved cornerstone filled with local records and items from the 19th century was added to the structure of a Sonoma County courthouse being built in downtown Santa Rosa.

  • Fees May Follow Prevailing on Motion to Appoint Arbitrator

    Metropolitan News-Enterprise
    January 12, 2026

    Div. One of the Fourth District Court of Appeal has held that a trial judge did not err in awarding a party attorney fees for succeeding on a motion to appoint an arbitrator under a contract providing that “the prevailing party” may recover such costs incurred “in having the matter ordered” to arbitration, rejecting the opposing side’s assertion that the ruling was premature as the success was only as to an “interim procedural step” in an ongoing dispute.

  • SCOTUS is set to weigh in on transgender athletes. What it means for California

    San Francisco Chronicle
    January 12, 2026

    The Supreme Court that will hear arguments Tuesday on state laws banning transgender females from girls’ and women’s sports teams includes five of the justices who ruled in 2020 that federal law prohibits employment discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

  • Fees Due for ‘Unauthorized’ Settlement Signed After Firing

    Metropolitan News-Enterprise
    January 9, 2026

    Div. Five of this district’s Court of Appeal held yesterday that a law firm was properly granted summary judgment as to its entitlement to receive more than $2.7 million in fees—under a retainer contract providing the attorneys with the right to 45% of any recovery—after it negotiated, without the client’s express authorization, a settlement of more than $6 million, which the party only signed after firing the lawyers and hiring new counsel.

  • Claims Based on Apple’s Refusal to Share Watch Data Fail

    Metropolitan News-Enterprise
    January 9, 2026

    The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals yesterday affirmed an order granting summary judgment to Apple Inc. in an antitrust lawsuit filed by a fellow Silicon Valley technology company that accused the device giant of illegally shutting out third-party app developers from accessing previously available heart rate information gathered through the use of the defendant’s watches by creating an update that was incompatible with the plaintiff’s products.

  • California Chief Justice Releases Statement on Governor's Budget Proposal

    California Courts Newsroom
    January 9, 2026

    "I appreciate Governor Newsom’s ongoing support of the judicial branch to ensure Californians continue to have access to critical services even during these challenging budget times," said Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero.