Month: November 2024

Happy Thanksgiving And A Toast To All Our Readers

November 24, 2024 · Miscellaneous

Happy Thanksgiving! "A Thanksgiving Truce" A Thanksgiving Truce. 1905. Puck. Library of Congress description: Illustration shows Theodore Roosevelt, wearing his rough rider uniform, sharing a feast with many wild animals sitting around a large banquet table in the wilderness. A bear is making a toast. "Teddy Jr.", wearing buckskin, is sitting on a rock at […]

Mass Arbitration: 9th Circuit Holds Mass Arbitration Approach Employed By Ticketmaster Is Unconscionable

Mass Arbitration Model For Batching Together Claims With Common Legal Or Factual Issues Held To Be Unconscionable.         The Ninth Circuit affirmed the district court's denial of Live Nation and Ticketmaster’s motion to compel arbitration in a Sherman Act antitrust class action. Skot Heckman et al. v. Live Nation Entertainment, Inc.; Ticketmaster, LLC, No. 23-55770 […]

Unconscionability, Severance: 9th Maj. Says Arb Agreement Is Unconscionable; Dissent Favors Severance

To Sever Unconscionable Provisions Or Not To Sever . . . That Is The Question.         The Ninth Circuit affirmed the district court’s decision denying USF Reddaway, Inc.’s motion to compel arbitration, finding the agreement procedurally and substantively unconscionable under California law. The court held the arbitration agreement was moderately procedurally unconscionable due to its […]

FAA, Interstate Transportation Workers: 9th Circuit Affirms Airline Fuel Technician Falls Within FAA Transportation Worker Exception

Interstate Transportation Workers Are Exempted From Arbitration Under The Federal Arbitration Act.         We have been remiss reporting on 9th Circuit cases since mid-July 2024. Now, we're doing a little catch-up.         An airline fuel technician qualifies as a transportation worker engaged in foreign or interstate commerce, and thus he is exempt from the FAA's […]

PAGA, Issue Preclusion: Employee Losing Labor Code Claims In Arbitration Ceases To Be Aggrieved Person With Standing To Sue For PAGA Claims

This Case Makes It Easier For Employers To Beat Back PAGA Lawsuits When Employee Loses Labor Code Claims In Arbitration — The Legal Tool Is Issue Preclusion.         In Julian Rodriguez v. Lawrence Equipment, Inc., B325261 (2/3  pub. 11/8/24) (Bershon, Edmon, Egerton), the plaintiff, Julian Rodriguez, alleged wage-and-hour violations under California’s Labor Code and pursued […]

Awards, Jurisdiction: Interim Award Dismissing Claims While Allowing Additional Submissions Was Not Final.

On The Difference Between A Final Award And An Interim Award Dismissing Claims But Leaving The Door Open For Additional Claims.         In Ortiz v. Elmcrest Care Center, LLC, B330377 (2/3  pub. 11/7/24) (Egerton, Adams, Bershon), Ericka Ortiz, representing the Estate of Jose de Jesus Ortiz, sued Elmcrest Care Center and its staff, alleging elder […]

Arbitration Agreement: No Agreement With Insufficient Evidence Of Signing Or Authorization Of Agent To Sign

A Reference To "Dementia" Signals Where The Court Was Headed.         Harold and Lucy West and their adult daughter Deon were approached by a salesperson from Elite Home Remodeling, Inc. regarding solar panel installation and bathroom renovation. Harold and Lucy, in their 90s and suffering from dementia, did not use email, computers, or mobile phones. […]

Administrative Arbitration: City Manager Had Discretionary Authority Under MOU To Review Non-Binding Arbitration Decision And Reject It

November 6, 2024 · Arbitration: Administrative

A Non-Binding Arbitrator's Decision Recommended Reinstatement Of Police Officer. . . The Court of Appeal Allowed The City Manager To Reject It.         Former police officer Ramirez administratively appealed the decision of the City of Indio Police Department's decision to terminate his employment at the conclusion of the “Appeals Procedure” set forth in the Memorandum […]

Settlement: Simultaneous Section 998 Offers Are Not Valid

November 3, 2024 · Settlement

But If One Of Two Simultaneous Offers Is Invalid, Section 998 Can Be Applied To The Remaining Section 998 Offer.         Our next case, which does not involve mediation or arbitration, involves settlement. But since section 998 settlement offers can be made in both arbitration and litigation, our next case is worth considering. Gorobets v. […]

The Second District, Div. 1 Agrees That Ending Forced Arbitration Of Sexual Assault And Sexual Harassment Act Applies To “Mixed Cases”

The Agreement Is With The Second District, Division 3.         The Ending Forced Arbitration Of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act (EFAA) amended the Federal Arbitration Act by exempting claims of sexual assault and sexual harassment from forced arbitration. An issue that cases addressing the EFAA have faced is whether in a mixed case, involving […]