Short Sale Real Estate Fraud on Rise in California

The state of California issued several formal accusations of fraud and a “desist and refrain” order in August against San Ramon-based IQ Smarter Investments Inc. The company is exploiting Short Sale Real Estate deals in California and ripping off people who are desperate to sell their houses. A short sale occurs when a mortgage holder…

Employees Winning More Judgments against Employers over Wage Issues During Recession

The current recession has apparently caused numerous employers to cut corners and squeeze wage earners – sometimes illegally. Much to the chagrin of businesses, employees are fighting back and winning big judgments for unpaid wages. Wage and hour lawsuits are on the rise and it is costing employers millions of dollars in California and across…

UC Davis Olive Center Study Found Imported Olive Oil’s Label Claims of “Extra Virgin” Misleading

A recent study published by the UC Davis Olive Center discovered that 69% of imported olive oils tested were not “extra virgin” as their labels claimed.  Before this study, despite widespread rumors and media reports, there was no concrete evidence that extra virgin olive oil was being adulterated. The study offers the first accurate, scientific…

US Department of Agriculture Adopts Scientifically Verifiable Standards for Olive Oil Labels

The sheer variety of olive oils on any given supermarket shelf can be overwhelming to the average shopper. Olive oils come in all shapes, sizes colors, and prices – and what do all those terms on the labels mean? Terms like “extra virgin,” “cold pressed,” and “unfiltered” are featured prominently on most olive oil labels…

California Sports Agent, Crown AMG, Sued for Collecting Illegal Commission

California law requires sports agents to make certain mandatory disclosures to the Secretary of State prior to acting as an agent.  According to a lawsuit filed by Callahan & Blaine’s client, International motocross racing team Pro Circuit Racing, Inc., its agent, Crown AMG, misrepresented its status as an authorized sports agent so that it could…

Callahan & Blaine Wins $1.4 Million in Arbitration in Lake Forest, California Real Estate Fraud Case

Daniel J. Callahan of Callahan & Blaine, recently represented Win Time, Ltd. against NCRS, Inc. of Anaheim, California in an extraordinary California real estate fraud case. The basis of the case is that NCRS, Inc. owned a Super 8 Motel which it sold to Callahan & Blaine’s client, Lake Forest, California-based Win Time. During the…

Callahan & Blaine Successfully Defends Client in Patent Infringement Case Brought by “Father of the Waterbed”

Charlie Hall received a waterbed patent in 1971. Twenty years later, Hall began suing various waterbed manufacturers for possible patent infringement. The lawsuits were initiated in the United States District Court for the Central District of California before the Honorable James M. Ideman. Last year, the Court was presented motions from eight of the manufacturers…

Record Label Wins Precedent-setting Case against Owners of Swap Meet where Counterfeit Merchandise is Sold

In another nationwide precedent-setting case tried by Callahan & Blaine, Fonovisa v. Cherry Auction, swap meet owners were found liable for vicarious and contributory copyright and trademark infringement when counterfeit merchandise is sold by independent vendors at swap meets. The Ninth Circuit determined that swap meet owners sufficiently control their premises enough to know if…

Pizza Delivery Drivers File Class Action Employment Lawsuit against Domino’s

A group of Domino’s Pizza delivery drivers was granted class-action status for a federal lawsuit filed in Minnesota. The drivers allege that Domino’s does not reimburse them for travel expenses, which in turns undercuts the drivers’ ability to earn minimum wage, as required by law. Lawyers for the Minnesota plaintiffs argue that Domino’s policy means…

Callahan & Blaine Wins $57 Million in Litigation against One of California’s Largest Insurers

Surgin Surgical Instrumentation Inc. was a manufacturer of certain devices for cataract surgery and had about ten percent of the market with projected annual profits of $7 million when Alcon, a competitor, filed a series of patent infringement and unfair competition lawsuits against the company. Truck Insurance, a subsidiary of Farmers Insurance Group, denied Surgin’s…