Legal Advisory Updates
regarding legal and regulatory developments that affect the University
The following documents are in 
pdf format
- Congress passes patent reform legislation, the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act, to promote innovation. – September 9, 2011
- Last year, the 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. – August 25, 2011
- Supreme Court ruling in closely-watched sex discrimination case is likely to deter large class actions. – July 6, 2011
- U.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. – June 10, 2011
- On 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. – April 19, 2011
- Plaintiffs 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. – March 8, 2011
- In a recent California Supreme Court decision, the 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. - February 8, 2011
- White House directs changes to regulations and policies to promote educational exchange between accredited colleges and universities and Cuba - January 21, 2011
- Fees 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. - December 17, 2010
- The 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. - June 29, 2010
- A recent court ruling reaffirms that contractual indemnification is an essential tool to minimize financial risk in business transactions - June 23, 2010
- The Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) requires designated officials to report all reimbursements for speeches, panels and seminars from non-governmental third parties regardless of location - May 13, 2010
- The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) applies any time the University approves a project that could have an adverse effect on the environment - October 28, 2009
- California's E-Discovery Act requires the University to preserve relevant electronically stored information (ESI) in state court litigation - September 24, 2009
- Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 increases safeguards and transparency for young consumers - August 17, 2009
- U.S. Supreme Court requires "Strong Basis in Evidence" standard for showing disparate impact in employee selection tests - July 10, 2009
- Executive order suspends funding for specific state contracts entered into, on or after March 1, 2009 - June 26, 2009
