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Alaina Lancaster

Alaina Lancaster

Alaina Lancaster, based in San Francisco, covers disruptive trends and technologies shaping the future of law. She authors the weekly legal futurist newsletter What's Next. Contact her at [email protected]. On Twitter: @a_lancaster3

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September 13, 2019 | The Recorder

Appellate Court Upholds $900K Damages Award in Case Where Televangelist Blamed Granddaughter for Her Own Rape

The Fourth Appellate District Court of Appeal decided that televangelist Jan Crouch's behavior went beyond "grandmotherly scolding or irascible behavior," as lawyers for the church she co-founded had argued.

By Alaina Lancaster

4 minute read

September 12, 2019 | The Recorder

Mental Health Care Providers Seek Payment From UnitedHealthcare for Billions in 'Wrongfully Denied Claims'

Although an earlier ruling from U.S. Magistrate Judge Joseph Spero aimed to address the harm caused to patients who were able to pay for their treatment out of pocket, it did nothing to rectify the harm done to unpaid healthcare providers, according to the complaint.

By Alaina Lancaster

3 minute read

September 11, 2019 | The Recorder

Cellphone Users Sue Apple and Samsung Over Radiation Exposure

San Francisco's Andrus Anderson represents a class action of phone owners who say they would not have purchased or paid top dollar for their cells if they had known about the risks of contact with radiofrequency radiation.

By Alaina Lancaster

4 minute read

September 11, 2019 | Law.com

What's Next Facebook Pivots on Facial Recognition + Judge Says Gibson Dunn Attorneys 'Couldn't Be More Wrong' On Privacy + State AGs Tee Up Antitrust Probes

Facebook rolled out some new facial recognition settings, and it appears the FTC had a role in that.

By Alaina Lancaster

9 minute read

September 09, 2019 | The Recorder

Ninth Circuit Tells John Steinbeck's Family to Stop Litigating the Same Copyright Claims

"This has to end," wrote Ninth Circuit Judge Richard Tallman. "We cannot say it any clearer."

By Alaina Lancaster

6 minute read

September 05, 2019 | The Recorder

Company Behind Online Shooter Game 'Guns of Boom' Sues Cheat Coders

According to the complaint filed by Perkins Coie lawyers Wednesday in the Northern District of California, the software cheats infringe on the game developer's intellectual property rights.

By Alaina Lancaster

3 minute read

September 04, 2019 | The Recorder

SF Law Firm Hits Lyft With 13 Driver Sexual Harassment Suits With More Planned

Each week, attorney Laurel Simes of San Francisco's Levin Simes Abrams says her firm gets around five to 10 new calls alleging sexual harassment at the hands of ride-sharing drivers.

By Alaina Lancaster

6 minute read

September 04, 2019 | Law.com

What's Next: Bitcoin's Purported Founder Ordered to Fork Over Half His Fortune + Pleading the Fifth with Your Thumb + State Appeals Court Clarifies Concealment in Sexual Blackmail Case

A self-proclaimed founder of Bitcoin is ordered to split ownership of his estimated $10 billion worth of bitcoin with the estate of his former business partner in a case that some say demonstrates that judges can keep up with crypto nerds.

By Alaina Lancaster

11 minute read

August 28, 2019 | Law.com

What's Next: Cleaning Up Silicon Valley's Toxic Culture + AI Goes to School + A Toothless Robocall Agreement

Google is trying to quell political and social unrest within its ranks, and artificial intelligence is creating a slew of privacy and legal issues inside our schools.

By Alaina Lancaster

13 minute read

August 27, 2019 | National Law Journal

Rick Hasen on the Threat to U.S. Elections (Hint: It's Not Just Russia)

The University of California Irvine School of Law professor discusses security risks going into the 2020 election.

By Alaina Lancaster

5 minute read