Office of General Counsel
Bowman v. Monsanto PDF
May 16, 2013U.S. Supreme Court affirms the right of a patent owner to control self-replicating plant seed inventions.
Michigan's Affirmative Action Ban PDF
December 12, 2012A recent U.S. Court of Appeals decision holding Michigan’s anti-affirmative action law unconstitutional may lead the U.S. Supreme Court to review the constitutionality of California’s Proposition 209.
Unpublished Research Materials PDF
September 26, 2012A recent federal case creates significant uncertainty for University researchers who wish to protect their unpublished research materials.
eReserves PDF
August 24, 2012Recent legal developments recommend a comprehensive and thoughtful approach to eReserves.
Brinker Decision PDF
June 12, 2012The California Supreme Court's highly publicized Brinker decision clarifies meal and rest break requirements for private sector employers but has little effect on the University.
Medical Diagnostic Methods PDF
March 21, 2012U.S. Supreme Court holds that medical diagnostic methods must have an inventive feature to qualify as patent-eligible subject matter.
Credit Information for Employment Purposes PDF
March 20, 2012New California laws limit the use of credit related information for employment purposes and affect the type of notice employers are required to give applicants and employees prior to obtaining a consumer credit report about them.
Redevelopment Agencies PDF
February 27, 2012The California Supreme Court upholds legislation abolishing redevelopment agencies and strikes down the legislative attempt to save them.
Leahy-Smith America Invents Act PDF
SEPTEMBER 9, 2011Congress passes patent reform legislation to promote innovation.
Nondiscrimination PDF
AUGUST 25, 2011The U.S. Supreme Court held that a nondiscrimination policy requiring registered student organizations to allow any interested students to participate is constitutional. The Ninth Circuit has now held that a more specific prohibition (e.g., a prohibition of discrimination specifically based on religion but not political beliefs) may also be constitutional.
Ruling in sex discrimination case PDF
JULY 6, 2011Supreme Court ruling in closely-watched sex discrimination case is likely to deter large class actions.
Inventions PDF
JUNE 10, 2011U.S. Supreme Court affirms that a company's contract with a university inventor regarding future inventions trumps the rights of the university employer in federally-funded inventions.
Protected speech PDF
APRIL 19, 2011On March 2, 2011, the Supreme Court issued a decision in Snyder v. Phelps in which it reaffirmed that speech on issues of public concern is constitutionally protected.
Nonresident tuition PDF
MARCH 8, 2011Plaintiffs in Martinez v. Regents of the University of California are petitioning the U.S. Supreme Court to review the California Supreme Court's affirmation that nonresidents may pay in-state tuition at public colleges and universities.
Layoffs PDF
FEBRUARY 8, 2011The California Supreme Court affirmed that public employers have the right to decide to lay off employees for budgetary reasons without bargaining that decision with their unions. The effects of a layoff remain subject to bargaining.
Exchange with Cuba PDF
JANUARY 21, 2011White House directs changes to regulations and policies to promote educational exchange between accredited colleges and universities and Cuba.
Proposition 26 and fees PDF
DECEMBER 17, 2010Fees assessed by the Regents of the University of California are unaffected by the supermajority vote requirement imposed under Proposition 26 approved by voters in November 2010.
Non-exclusion in student organizations PDF
JUNE 29, 2010The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld a Hastings College of the Law policy that prohibits registered student organizations from excluding students from membership or leadership positions on the basis of their status or beliefs.
Contractual indemnification PDF
JUNE 23, 2010A recent court ruling reaffirms that contractual indemnification is an essential tool to minimize financial risk in business transactions.
Reimbursement reporting PDF
MAY 13, 2010The FPPC requires designated officials to report all reimbursements for speeches, panels and seminars from non-governmental third parties regardless of location.
CEQA PDF
OCTOBER 28, 2009The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) applies any time the University approves a project that could have an adverse effect on the environment.
E-Discovery Act PDF
SEPTEMBER 24, 2009California's E-Discovery Act requires the University to preserve relevant electronically stored information (ESI) in state court litigation.
CCARD Act PDF
AUGUST 17, 2009Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 increases safeguards and transparency for young consumers.
Disparate impact standard PDF
JULY 10, 2009U.S. Supreme Court requires "Strong Basis in Evidence" standard for showing disparate impact in employee selection tests.
State contract funding suspension PDF
JUNE 26, 2009Executive order suspends funding for specific state contracts entered into, on or after March 1, 2009.