News

[07/24] Existing home sales fall 2.6 percent in June
[07/23] Paulson: Rescue bill key to solving housing crisis
[07/23] Congress moves to help homeowners avoid foreclosures
[07/23] President Bush drops opposition to housing bill
[07/22] Treasury: Swift support needed for mortgage giants

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Articles

Home Improvement: How to Avoid Paying Twice

All Kate and Peter wanted to do was remodel their ancient kitchen and build on a family room. They saved and borrowed, got their permits, and hired a contractor. The construction was over after just five dusty months, but the legal headaches were just beginning.

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How high can I build a fence on my property?

In residential areas, local rules commonly restrict artificial (constructed) backyard fences to a height of six feet. In front yards, the limit is often four feet.

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Case Summaries

[08/06] Ctr. for Biological Diversity v. Marina Point Dev. Co.
In an action brought by environmental groups against developers raising claims under the Clean Water Act (CWA) and the Endangered Species Act (ESA), judgment on the merits for the groups is vacated and remanded for dismissal where the district court lacked jurisdiction over the CWA claims and the ESA claims have become moot.

[08/04] State of Utah v. US Dep't of the Interior
In proceedings arising from the proposed settlement of Utah's suit challenging Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) inventory, classification, and management of certain types of BLM and Utah state trust lands, dismissal of intervenors-environmental groups' claims challenging the settlement is affirmed where the district court properly determined that federal courts lack jurisdiction over the dispute on ripeness grounds, as there was no developed record illustrating how BLM applies the settlement in the context of specific land management decisions.

[08/04] McMillan v. Shadow Ridge at Oak Park Homeowner's Ass'n
In a case where plaintiff had been represented by counsel before ending that relationship and representing herself, denial of plaintiff's motion to disqualify counsel for respondent homeowner's association is affirmed where: 1) denial of the motion did not violate rule 2-100; 2) while a pro se litigant may divide the duties or representation as would any other lawyer, she may not insulate herself from contact by the court or adversary counsel; and 3) Rule 2-100 is intended to preserve the attorney-client relationship, which in this case was achieved by the pro se litigant declining to speak with the adversary or referring him to associated counsel.

[08/01] Jogani v. Superior Ct. of Los Angeles County
Petition for writ of mandate seeking to vacate an order striking petitioner's claim for jury trial on his claims for quantum meruit and unjust enrichment related to an international business enterprise is granted where the trial court erred because quantum meruit is an action at law, and thus carries with it the right to a jury trial.

[08/01] Jaffe v. Pacelli
In a matter arising out of a real estate transaction, judgment against debtor defendant including award of attorney's fees is affirmed in most respects but reversed in part where the court erred in denying plaintiff's request for attorney's fees and costs related to litigating bankruptcy proceedings.

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