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

  • Law School Leaders Plead for Decision on Future of California Bar Exam

    The Recorder
    February 18, 2026

    (Subscription required) During an online meeting Wednesday, members of the Law School Council said uncertainty surrounding the content and format of future bar exams is frustrating both students and professors.

  • Trump administration drops appeal of order blocking it from UC funding cutoffs

    San Francisco Chronicle
    February 18, 2026

    The Trump administration has agreed not to cut off federal funds to the University of California while it appeals a judge’s ruling that said it had improperly withdrawn $600 million from the schools based on claims that they unduly favored racial and gender minorities and allowed antisemitism on campus.

  • Judge Erred in Applying 2020 Deadly Force Law to 2019 Case

    Metropolitan News-Enterprise
    February 19, 2026

    Div. Three of the Fourth District Court of Appeal has reversed a $3.5 million wrongful death judgment awarded to the mother of a 19-year-old teenager killed by police during a traffic stop in Orange County due to the trial judge’s error in instructing the jury on the use of deadly force by officers based on a legal standard not yet in effect at the time of the fatal incident.

  • Prevailing Elder Abuse Plaintiff May Recover Fees for Defense

    Metropolitan News-Enterprise
    February 19, 2026

    A financial elder abuse law that permits only prevailing plaintiffs to recover attorney fees does not bar the recovery of costs associated with defending against competing undue influence claims so long as the expenses are inextricably intertwined with those associated with the prosecution of his causes of action, Div. One of the Fourth District Court of Appeal held yesterday.

  • Judge’s Failure to Find Threat to Witness Was Willful Obstruction Requires Resentencing

    Metropolitan News-Enterprise
    February 19, 2026

    The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals yesterday ordered that a sentence be vacated because it was enhanced based on a threat to a witness without the judge making the requisite finding that the defendant “wilfully” obstructed or attempted to obstruct justice, drawing a dissent saying that the subjective intent is so clear from the evidence that any error is harmless.

  • Judge floats joint trial for Uber, Lyft in San Francisco $175M tax refund suits

    Daily Journal
    February 19, 2026

    (Subscription required) Judge Jeffrey S. Ross is considering a joint trial of separate tax refund lawsuits by Uber and Lyft against the City and County of San Francisco, citing overlapping evidence and claims totaling about $175 million, while stopping short of formally consolidating the cases.

  • Judicial Profile: Los Angeles County Judge Nicole C. Bershon

    Daily Journal
    February 18, 2026

    (Subscription required) On a docket dominated by custody fights and domestic violence allegations, Judge Nicole C. Bershon blends appellate experience, collaborative court insight and firm courtroom control to keep children from becoming collateral damage. 

  • Noticed Date of Dismissal Triggered Clock for Attorney Fees

    Metropolitan News-Enterprise
    February 18, 2026

    Div. One of the Fourth District Court of Appeal held yesterday that a plaintiff’s request for attorney fees following a favorable settlement was properly denied as untimely where it was not served on the other side until seven months after the date on which a notice indicated that the case would be “deemed dismissed without prejudice.”