Capitol People First v. Department of Developmental Services

We represented the California Association of State Hospital Parents Counsel for the Retarded (CASH/PCR) and the California Association for the Retarded, groups that represent parents of severely retarded children in California's Developmental Centers (DCs) and a number of individuals who live in these DCs.  In 2002, Protection & Advocacy Inc. filed suit against the State, to move all developmentally disabled adults out of DCs and into community living situations.  In general this is a fine objective; however, our clients felt the standard was being applied too broadly. Our clients' children are profoundly retarded and would face severe risk if they lived in the community rather than in the safety of DCs.  Plaintiffs moved to certify the case as a class action.  Farella intervened and filed a motion opposing class certification on the grounds that our clients were not adequately represented and did not share the same view point as the plaintiffs. In January 2006, the court granted Farella’s motion relying on our arguments to reach its conclusion. As a result of this victory, our clients nominated Farella for the California State Bar President's Pro Bono Service Award. (Pro bono)

Firm Highlights

News

Farella Braun + Martel Earns 2024 Best Law Firms® Rankings

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News

Proposal for Bar Exam Alternative Goes to California Supreme Court

Sarah Good, a member of the State Bar of California Board of Trustees, was quoted in The Recorder article, "Proposal for Bar Exam Alternative Goes to California Supreme Court." Read the article here (subscription...

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Event

2024 Environmental & Energy, Mass Torts, and Products Liability Litigation Committees' Joint Regional CLE Program

Sarah Bell will moderate the panel "PFAS: Everything Everywhere All at Once"  at the American Bar Association's 2024 Environmental & Energy, Mass Torts, and Products Liability Litigation Committees' Joint Regional CLE Program. Session Overview: PFAS...

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Publication

BIPA Liability: Existing CGL Coverage May Provide a Lifeline for Policyholders

Developments in the law have increased the potential liability that companies could face under the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA), but fortunately for policyholders, Illinois case law has also solidified coverage for BIPA...

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Publication

Wind Energy Project Approvals and Tax Credits Look To Outpace Macroeconomic and Supply Chain Headwinds in 2024

A snapshot of the renewable wind industry on October 31, 2023, captures many of the current challenges and opportunities for the industry and regulatory agencies heading into 2024.  That day, the world’s largest offshore...

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Event

19th Annual Renewable Energy Law Institute

Dirk Mueller is speaking at the University of Texas School of Law 19 th Annual Renewable Energy Law Institute on "Mineral Issues Impact on Real Estate Documents, Siting and Planning: Texas vs. California." Session Overview :   Understanding...

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News

State Bar of California Board of Trustees Approves Plan to Pilot Portfolio Bar Exam

Sarah Good, a member of the State Bar of California Board of Trustees, spoke to KQED Newscast about the Board of Trustees's proposal to pilot a Portfolio Bar Exam.

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Publication

It Wasn’t Me, It Was the AI: Intellectual Property and Data Privacy Concerns With Nonprofits’ Use of Artificial Intelligence Systems

In today's rapidly changing technological landscape, artificial intelligence (AI) is making headlines and being discussed constantly. To be sure, AI provides a powerful tool to nonprofits in creating content and exploiting for countless cost-effective...

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Event

In-House Counsel Conference 2024

Sushila Chanana is speaking on artificial intelligence law at the Bar Association of San Francisco's In-House Counsel Conference 2024. To register for the event, please click  here .

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Publication

An Introduction to DAFs and Overview of the Newly Proposed DAF Regulations

Welcome to EO Radio Show - Your Nonprofit Legal Resource. I’m Cynthia Rowland, and episode 62 describes new proposed regulations important to the administration of donor advised funds. The Internal Revenue Service and the...

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