Title Insurer Bad Faith — Allegations, Extrinsic Facts, and the Duty to Defend
A title insurer owes a “duty to defend” its insured from a lawsuit filed by a third party whenever the lawsuit creates a potential for indemnity…
Are “Common Law Dedications” of Private Property to the Public Extinct?
Dedications A “dedication” is an uncompensated transfer of an interest in private property to the public. Dedications can occur pursuant to statute or common law. Statutory…
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…
Disputed Real Property Inheritance Must Be Resolved Before Partition Action
This post was primarily authored by Daniel Zarchy, a “Rising Star” for seven of the past eight years who is a litigation attorney at Patton Sullivan…
Easement Cannot be Granted on Inconsistent Theories
An easement — an interest in the land of another entitling the easement owner to a limited use or enjoyment of another’s land — can be…
Court Clarifies Value of “Performance Deed of Trust” in Foreclosure
This post was primarily authored by Daniel Zarchy, a “Rising Star” for seven of the past eight years who is a litigation attorney at Patton Sullivan…
Commercial Lease Co-Tenancy Clauses: California Supreme Court Weighs In
The California Supreme Court weighed in on the validity of commercial lease co-tenancy provisions with its recent opinion in JJD-HOV Elk Grove, LLC v. Jo-Ann Stores,…
How Far Must the Owner of a Right-of-Way Easement Go to Maintain It?
California law is clear that the owner of a private right-of-way easement has a duty to maintain the easement. What is less clear is how far…
Court Rules Grower Cannot Use Access Easement for Cannabis Purposes Without Servient Landowner’s Consent
This post was primarily authored by Daniel Zarchy, a “Rising Star” for five of the past six years who is a litigation attorney at Patton Sullivan…
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…