By Brian Kabateck You might have missed the news in the holiday rush, but last month California scored a big victory against big tobacco companies that have been directly harming our kids. The state enacted vital legislation to protect targeted populations—especially youth and communities of color—from the dangers of flavored
A landmark law set to take effect faces a legal roadblock By Brian Kabateck They greet you at the counter, flip your burgers, blend your shakes; they fill submarine sandwiches and tacos, pack cheerful kids’ meals, they pass your piping hot morning coffee through a window straight into your car.
Really cheesy or the real deal? By Brian Kabateck A Florida woman is suing Kraft Heinz Food Company for at least $5 million in statutory and punitive damages over “misleading” claims on mac and cheese packaging. Amanda Ramirez of Hialeah, FL alleges that preparing Velveeta Shells and Cheese takes substantially
By Brian Kabateck As of November 14th, the Los Angeles Superior Court no longer provides an official court reporter free of charge in many types of civil cases. A severe shortage of court reporters has forced the shift of reporters from civil cases including family law, probate, evictions, and more—where
By Brian Kabateck Survivors of childhood sexual abuse gained important recognition and expanded rights on September 22, when President Biden signed new legislation into law. The Eliminating Limits to Justice for Child Sex Abuse Victims Act lifts all restrictions on the timeframe for victims filing federal civil claims related to
What does it mean in real life? By Brian Kabateck Recently, President Biden issued a Presidential Proclamation extending full and unconditional pardon to individuals convicted of simple marijuana possession under federal law (as well as under DC code offenses). Biden explained his reasoning clearly: “criminal records for marijuana possession have
By Brian S. Kabateck A slew of recent high-profile cases is calling attention to the complex issue of free speech vs. defamation. Several celebrity figures have used their expansive media/social media platforms to make outrageous, inflammatory, and damaging comments in a public forum—and because many of these comments have been
By Brian Kabateck For more than six weeks this past spring, all eyes seemed fixed on round-the-clock coverage of the disturbing Amber Heard-Johnny Depp defamation trial unfolding in a Virginia courtroom. The case centered on divorce, abuse, and libel, but the verdict had a ripple effect on other—perhaps surprising—issues. In
Big corporations use TRAPs to tie workers to low-wage jobs long-term, saddling them with pseudo student debt By Brian Kabateck Student debt has received heightened focus recently amid the controversy over student loan relief. But there’s a lesser-known form of fabricated student debt that hurts workers in various jobs across
By Brian S. Kabateck Elder abuse is a rising national crisis, often cited as a “hidden epidemic,” and is defined as the intentional act or failure to act that causes or creates a risk of harm to an older adult aged 60 or older. According to the National Institute on