Satellite Insurance Litigation is Heating Up, With 4 Insurers Wanting to Get $80 Million of the $141 Million Fees/Costs Award to MGA. In a case presenting an “endless story,” we report on the next piece of the evolving saga in the MGA Entertainment-Mattel case, one in which U.S. District Judge David O. Carter […]
Financial Need Only One of the Factors to Consider. Although we have posted often about needs-based fee awards under Family Code sections 2030/2032, the next case reminds us that a multi-factored analysis is required under these fee shifting provisions. Even a former spouse with sufficient resources to pay can get a fee award
$1.5 Million Fee Exposure Was Nonexistent Such That Indemnity Rights Issue Did Not Impact Good Faith Settlement Analysis. In PacificCare of California v. Bright Medical Associates, Inc., Case No. G041507 (4th Dist., Div. 3 Sept. 2, 2011) (certified for publication), Acting Presiding Justice Aronson affirmed a good faith settlement determination after deciding on
Court of Appeal Reverses With Directions to Trial Court to Determine if SLAPP Defendant is Entitled to Fees and the Reasonable Amount of Any Award. Our next case, Fremont Reorganizing Corporation v. Faigin, Case No. B218178 (Second Dist. Div. 3, August 30, 2011 (certified for publication) concerns an in-house attorney who sued his alleged
Judge James C. Chalfant Orders Sheriff’s Department to Pay $173,000 in Fees in Public Records Act Lawsuit. In the August 31, 2011 online edition of the LA Times, Victoria Kim reports that Judge Chalfant has ordered the LA County Sheriff’s Department to pay nearly $173,000 in legal fees to the LA Times incurred in
Who “Won” is Irrelevant Here. Often, the Court’s retelling of the facts gives us more than an inkling of the ending. Here, the statement of facts begins: ”Jon and Sarah have both had acting careers, though their career paths diverged widely. As a costar in the TV show Two and a Half
District Court Judge Manuel Real Has “Big Problem” with Estimated Fees of $4.7 M. Writing in the August 29, 2011 online edition of The National Law Journal, Amanda Bronstad reports U.S. District Judge Manuel Real “put the brakes” on a $4.7 M fee request for plaintiffs’ firms in class action litigation. The litigation concerns
Fees in Bluetooth Class Action Settlement Must Be Scrutinized More Closely. Under the heading, “9th Circuit tosses Bluetooth settlement, citing attorney fees,” Amanda Bronstad, writing in the August 22, 2011 online edition of The National Law Journal, reports on the reversal and remand of a district court’s approval of a settlement providing for $100,000
Fourth District, Div. 2, Underscores That Compliance With Basic Appellate Procedure Is Necessary to Obtain Review of SLAPP Fees Issue. The next case, Dean Martin v. Inland Empire Utilities Agency, et al., Case No. E051217 (4th Dist. Div. 2, 8/18/11) (certified for publication), involves a complaint alleging causes of action deriving from purported racial
Reason: Lack of Due Process! Here is a wild one, but one that shows appellate (and trial) courts will not hesitate to reverse awards when unfairness and due process concerns are present. In Wang v. Sun Led Sign Supply, Inc., Case No. B224195 (2d Dist., Div. 2 Aug. 17, 2011) (unpublished), an
