Notwithstanding the trend in SCOTUS to uphold arbitration agreements, including waiver of class arbitration, our next two unpublished cases show that the California courts look closely at arbitration agreements, sometimes enforcing and sometimes not enforcing arbitration agreements. On the same day, one California Court of Appeal reversed an order denying an employer’s effort to […]
The Three Immutable Rules Of Appellate Practice. “When practicing appellate law, there are at least three immutable rules: first, take great care to prepare a complete record; second, if it is not in the record, it did not happen; and third, when in doubt, refer back to rules one and two.” Protect Our Water […]
Presiding Justice Turner Respectfully Dissents. The Fifth Circuit, Division Two, holds that because a law firm’s cause of action to compel arbitration with its client “admitted the existence of a binding agreement to arbitrate the fee dispute, the trial court’s jurisdiction over the merits of plaintiff’s claims was initially limited to a determination of […]
For Preemption Purposes, “Involving Commerce” In The FAA Is Broader Than “In Commerce”, Making It Easy To Find Preemption. Physicians don’t like to defend medical malpractice cases in front of juries, and Scott v. Yoho, B265641 (2/5 6/22/16) (Turner, Kriegler, Kumar) will make it easier for them to arbitrate malpractice cases and avoid juries […]
The Daily Journal Has Provided A Link To Louie Castoria’s Article Entitled “Mediation confidentiality: a wall against malpractice claims or a sieve?” Louie Castoria, a partner at Kaufman Dolowich & Voluck LLP, and a mediator, has authored an article suggesting we may take a bit too much for granted about mediation confidentiality, and advocating […]
Nor Was The Agreement Illusory Just Because The Agreement Provided The Employer Could Change It At Any Time. In Harris v. Tap Worldwide, LLC, B262504 (2/5 6/22/16) (Turner, Kriegler, Kumar) (certified for partial publication, except part III(C) covering unconscionability), the Court determined that, notwithstanding that the arbitration agreement was unsigned, there was a validate […]
Indiana Forum Clause Was Important Factor In Finding Of Substantive Unconscionability. The Fourth District, Division One, concludes the trial court correctly determined the arbitration provision between an Indiana-based company soliciting business in California, and California residents, who were Licensed Vocational Nurses seeking to become Registered Nurses, was unconscionable. Magno v. The College Network, Inc., […]
Court Looks At Evolution Of Class Action Waiver Law In California For Help Construing Meaning Of The Contractual Language. In 2011, AT&T Mobility LLC v. Concepcion, 563 U.S. 333 (2011) held the Discover Bank rule, invalidating a class arbitration waiver, had been preempted by the Federal Arbitration Act. After Concepcion, employers frequently insert class […]
Employer Claimed Appeal Was Based On Entire Record, But Failed To Provide Court With Entire Record. Employer ICC Collision Centers, Inc. appealed the trial court’s order denying its motion to compel its employee Ogannesian to arbitrate his wage/hour claims. The trial court had concluded that the employer waived its right to arbitrate by delaying […]
What Does It Mean For An Arbitration To “Have Been Had In Accordance With The Terms Of The Agreement” When A Party Is Unable To Pay Arbitration Fees? We revisit a recurring problem that occurs in arbitration. In federal court, a party successfully moves to compel arbitration under the FAA, and the court stays […]