David S. Olson

Doors' legend Jim Morrision pardoned for 1969 crimes

On December 9, 2009, Florida's Clemency Board pardoned Jim Morrison for indecent exposure and profanity convictions that date back to 1970. Morrison, the lead singer for the Los Angeles based 1960s rock band The Doors, was convicted...

Dole Ordered To Pay Attorneys' Fees For Filing Defamation Lawsuit Lacking In Merit

The Los Angeles Superior Court granted an anti-SLAPP motion filed by Swedish filmmakers and their production company in connection with a defamation lawsuit filed against them by Dole Food Company. Dole claimed the documentary film "Bananas"...

Employment arbitration agreement found unconscionable

In Trivedi v. Curexo Technology Corporation, certified for publication on October 20, 2010, the California Court of Appeal affirmed a trial court decision denying a motion to compel arbitration of employment related claims. The court found the arbitration clause was...

Anti-SLAPP motion denied in business dispute

The California Court of Appeal affirmed the denial of a motion to strike filed under California's anti-SLAPP statute in Baharian-Mehr v. Smith, issued on October 15, 2010. The court noted that the lawsuit emanated from a...

Real Estate Agents Must Disclose Property is Overencumbered

In Holmes v. Summer, the California Court of Appeal recently held that real estate brokers and agents representing the sellers of a residential property were obligated to disclose to the buyers that the property was overencumbered and could not be...

Legal Challenge to Obamacare May Proceed

In a 65-page opinion, a federal district court judge based in Florida has ruled that claims in a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the Obamacare legislation can proceed. The lawsuit was filed by Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum...

Wrongful death claimants bound by father's medical arbitration agreement

Rafael Ruiz went to an orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Anatol Podolsky, for treatment of a fractured hip. Eight days later, Ruiz died. His four adult children filed a lawsuit against Dr. Podolsky for medical malpractice and wrongful death, alleging...

Arbitrator need not disclose relationship between his wife and counsel

In Johnson vs. Gruma Corporation, issued on August 13, 2010, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed an arbitrator's decision in favor of Gruma even though the arbitrator, Richard Neal, a retired California Court of Appeal justice, failed...

Private parties cannot sue for Investment Company Act violations

In a decision filed August 12, 2010, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals held that private parties cannot bring lawsuits under Section 13(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940. That section generally requires an investment company to...

Defendant entitled to attorneys' fees in employment case

A California appellate court held that Immoos Fire Protection, Inc. could recover its reasonable attorneys' fees for prevailing in an employment case. In so ruling, the Court had to interpret Labor Code section 218.5--which provides for...

Currently in Los Angeles