Lender Limits Liability for Breach of Loan Agreement
California Civil Code section 1668 states: “All contracts which have for their object, directly or indirectly, to exempt any one from responsibility for his own fraud,…
Bankruptcy Property Deal Devolves Into Mess of Contract and Fiduciary Duty Claims
The bankruptcy process is often straightforward: the debtor’s debts are discharged, creditors take a haircut of varying degrees, and life moves on. But some bankruptcy proceedings…
The Growing Trend of Contractor Negligence Liability Despite Lack of Contract Privity
Historically, courts typically refused to impose liability for negligence in the performance of a contract unless the plaintiff was a party to the contract. Thus, whenever…
“Business Judgment Rule” Applies to HOAs
California’s common law “business judgment rule,” as described by the courts, protects from court intervention “those management decisions which are made by directors in good faith…
Court Addresses “Presumptively Legal” Parcels Under Subdivision Map Act
California’s Subdivision Map Act (“SMA”) governs the legal subdivision of property in California. The SMA’s approval process is familiar to most developers. The statute’s purpose is…
Sometimes, an HOA Can Sue on Behalf of its Members
This post was primarily authored by Zachary B. Young, a “Rising Star” for four years running who was recently elevated to Partner at Patton Sullivan Brodehl…
Local Government Agencies Can Be “Alter Egos” Too
The “alter ego” doctrine has been a frequent topic of posts on the Money and Dirt and LLC Jungle blogs. (See here, here, here, here, and…
Remedies for Trespass by Encroachment
This post was authored by Zachary B. Young, a “Rising Star” for four years running who was recently elevated to Partner at Patton Sullivan Brodehl LLP.…
Developers Lose Challenge to Annexation Fees
Real estate developers are painfully aware of various types of fees imposed by local agencies as a condition for permitting development projects. A pair of opinions…
HOAs vs. ADUs
Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) have become popular during the run up in California real estate values. ADUs have been touted for several benefits, including increasing housing…