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  12 February, 2020

  Famous People and Incomplete Estate Planning

  A recent New York Times article highlights the problems that can occur when a person (whether famous or not-so-famous) dies without a properly completed estate plan. Even Famous People Fail to Properly Prepare their Estate Plans A recent New York Times article highlights the problems that can occur when a person fails to properly complete their estate planning. Aretha Franklin, who died in August of 2018, was initially thought to have not left a will. Without a valid will, assets are distributed under state law (which may not be the way that the decedent wanted the assets to be distributed). However, in May of 2019, three hand-written documents were discovered, which may have been valid wills (one document was found stuffed under a sofa cushion). Now, various family factions are fighting over these documents are enforceable wills and who has control of Aretha’s estate. The New York Times article makes it clear that the fighting over her estate will continue until a possible trial in the fall. Aretha’s niece, Sabrina Ownes, recently resigned due to the significant disputes and fights. All of this fighting results in significant legal fees as well as the pain and anguish of family disputes, and the potential…

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  29 December, 2025

  Fourth District Court Reinforces State Oversight of Local Housing Plans in Landmark Decision

  The Kennedy Commission v. Superior Court of San Diego County, __Cal.App.5th___, Case No. D085237 (4th Dist. Sept. 11, 2025)[‘’[ Background In The Kennedy Commission v. Superior Court of San Diego County, the California Court of Appeal delivered a pivotal decision underscoring the state’s authority to enforce housing laws, even against charter cities. The ruling arose from Huntington Beach’s refusal to adopt a compliant “housing element,” a mandatory component of every local government’s general plan under California’s Housing Element Law (Gov. Code §§ 65580–65589.55). The case centered on whether provisions within the Government Code, which require cities to correct deficiencies in their general plans within strict timeframes and authorize courts to impose provisional remedies, apply to charter cities such as Huntington Beach. The appellate court answered affirmatively, affirming a significant expansion of state oversight in housing enforcement. The Legal Framework for Housing Elements California’s Housing Element Law requires each city and county to identify and plan for sufficient sites to meet its “regional housing need allocation” (RHNA), the locality’s share of the statewide housing demand. This obligation applies to both general law and charter cities. Housing elements must assess existing and projected housing needs, designate adequate sites for development across all…

  Darien Key Director

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  19 October, 2020

  Partner Christine Noma Discusses Families First Coronavirus Response Act for Employers

  Wendel Rosen partner Christine Noma addresses the ambiguity of the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act in a recent article by the Daily Journal. As COVID-19 continues to keep schools and day cares closed, employers are navigating the requirements and financial burden of offering paid leave to employees now caring for children at home. Visit Daily Journal to read the full article (subscription required).

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  9 January, 2019

  AB 2923: BART Transit-Oriented Housing Legislation

  [This article was originally published in the Daily Journal’s New Laws Supplement on January 9, 2019.] The Daily Journal’s New Laws Supplement published the article, “AB 2923: BART transit-oriented housing legislation” in which attorney Amara Morrison discusses how Assembly Bill 2923, approved by the governor on September 30, 2018, requires the BART Board of Directors to adopt new transit-oriented development (TOD) zoning standards for each station. Click here to subscribe and read the article.

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  29 January, 2017

  Oakland Race and Equity Official Reviews Cannabis Industry

  [This article was originally published in the San Francisco Chronicle on January 29, 2017.] San Francisco Chronicle published the article, “Oakland Race and Equity Official Reviews Cannabis Industry” in which attorney Rob Selna was quoted in describing how he along with others worry that council is allowing its cannabis industry to be a test case for a race and equity process that no one in the city seems to understand.  Click here to read the article.

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  9 January, 2019

  What Lies Ahead for Legal and Legislative Developments in 2019

  On January 9, 2019, mg Magazine published an article written by Wendel Rosen Cannabis attorneys. Their article contemplates changes happening at the federal level, as well as a short analysis of California’s first year of commercial cannabis legalization, what’s happening in Canada and insights into the taxing problem of taxes. Read the article >>

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  13 August, 2014

  The Changes Ahead for Commercial Real Estate

  On August 13, 2014, real estate attorneys Daniel Myers and Gregg Ankenman’s article appear in the Daily Journal. The article discusses several of the trends influencing the commercial real estate market and issues attorneys should consider when negotiating and drafting documents. Some of these factors include: Zoning, Parking and Code Compliance Common Area Charges and Services Compatibility of Uses CALGreen Property Taxes and Proposition 13 Reform. Please contact the San Francisco Daily Journal for reprints of this article.

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  23 October, 2025

  Top Ten Influential Intellectual Property Cases In Apparel & Fashion Law

  The apparel and fashion industry is rife with intellectual property issues and disputes.  Particularly in the past twenty years, courts have grappled with the competing interests and arguments of apparel designers, online re-sellers, and others seeking to use apparel companies’ trademarks and designs in their products or creative endeavors.  This article summarizes some of the most notable U.S. intellectual property cases in the industry. Christian Louboutin S.A. v. Yves Saint Laurent America, Inc. (2012)Color Trademarks and Trade Dress Since 1992, Christian Louboutin (Louboutin), the designer and retailer of high-fashion women’s footwear and accessories has covered the sole of its women’s footwear with a high-gloss red lacquer. After years of hefty investment into building a reputation and goodwill for the red sole, Louboutin successfully registered the red sole as a trademark (trade dress) with the United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) in 2008. Credit:  Arroser (Wikipedia) In 2011, Yves Saint Laurent (YSL), the French luxury fashion house, launched a campaign for its monochrome shoes. The monochrome shoes included purple, yellow, green, and red shoes.  The red shoe was all red, including a red insole, heel, upper, and outsole. Louboutin filed suit against YSL alleging trademark infringement under the Lanham Act…

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  29 May, 2020

  COVID-19 CARES Act Guidance

  Note: This article was originally published on 04/01/2020 and was last updated on 5/29/2020. There has been a flurry of media articles, blog posts, webinars, and social media posts on the new Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) which is designed to make funds immediately available to small businesses adversely impacted by COVID-19.  This Wendel Rosen Alert and accompanying Comparison Chart describe the CARES Act loan programs.  Guidelines for the Paycheck Protection Program – Section 7(a) Loans were just released on March 31. These will be available beginning on April 3. On March 27, 2020 the President signed into law the CARES Act to address the unprecedented public health and economic crisis related to COVID-19.  The CARES Act provides $349 billion for Small Business Administration (“SBA”) loan guarantees and subsidies. Applicants should apply as soon as possible to get their application in the queue. While the CARES Act has numerous provisions, there are two main loans/grants that are of particular interest to small businesses: Section 7(a) loans under the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP Loans”) which will be available very soon and which may be forgivable; Section 7(b) Economic Injury Disaster Loans (“EIDL Loan”) which are currently available; and Emergency Grants…

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  COVID-19 CARES Act Guidance

  Note: This article was originally published on 04/01/2020 and was last updated on 5/29/2020. There has been a flurry of media articles, blog posts, webinars, and social media posts on the new Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) which is designed to make funds immediately available to small businesses adversely impacted by COVID-19. This Wendel Rosen Alert and accompanying Comparison Chart describe the CARES Act loan programs. Guidelines for the Paycheck Protection Program – Section 7(a) Loans were just released on March 31. These will be available beginning on April 3. On March 27, 2020 the President signed into law the CARES Act to address the unprecedented public health and economic crisis related to COVID-19. The CARES Act provides $349 billion for Small Business Administration (“SBA”) loan guarantees and subsidies. Applicants should apply as soon as possible to get their application in the queue. While the CARES Act has numerous provisions, there are two main loans/grants that are of particular interest to small businesses: Section 7(a) loans under the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP Loans”) which will be available very soon and which may be forgivable; Section 7(b) Economic Injury Disaster Loans (“EIDL Loan”) which are currently available; and Emergency Grants…

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  6 June, 2016

  The Legal Angle On General Mills Recall Of 10 Million Pounds Of Flour

  What happened? On May 31, General Mills issued a voluntary recall (http://www.generalmills.com/flour/) of more than 10 million pounds of flour. Between mid-December 2015 and early May 2016, thirty-eight people have been affected with a strain of E. Coli in 20 states, but no deaths have been reported. Some of the consumers are believed to have consumed raw dough or batter. (Serious scowl at my three daughters).  General Mills has reported that “To date, E. coli O121 has not been found in any General Mills flour products or in the flour manufacturing facility, and the company has not been contacted directly by any consumer reporting confirmed illnesses related to these products.” It issued the recall voluntarily “out of an abundance of caution.” Voluntary Recalls vs. Recalls Ordered by the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Recalls may be conducted voluntarily by a manufacturer or by FDA mandate. FDA’s mandatory food recall authority went into effect when the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act of 2011 (FSMA) was enacted on January 4, 2011. Section 423 of the FD&C Act, as added by Section 206 of FSMA, gives FDA the authority to order a responsible party to recall an article of food where FDA determines that there…