(Subscription required) Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Sunday he has signed three criminal justice bills affecting indigent defense, dismissed felony charges and threats against public officials, while vetoing a measure that would have broadened standards for post-conviction relief.

(Subscription required) Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed legislation restricting the influence private equity firms, hedge funds and other outside investors can exercise over lawsuits in California. AB 2305 is part of a national trend of state legislation limiting financial arrangements but also goes further than recent laws in some other states. 

Div. One of the Fourth District Court of Appeal has rejected a defendant’s attempt to overturn his murder conviction based on the fact that the 67-year-old victim died months after the brutal attack with “COVID-19” being listed as the cause of death on the official records.

Some US law students arrived on campus this fall to find they aren't allowed to use their laptops or phones in class, as schools push to restrict access to AI. Others are being required to use AI in certain courses. And some are encountering both approaches simultaneously as their schools attempt to balance traditional legal learning with training on a technology that’s rapidly transforming the legal profession.