Meghann M. Cuniff

Meghann Cuniff is a reporter and editor based in Southern California. A graduate of the University of Oregon, she worked at The Spokesman-Review in Spokane, Washington, and the Idaho Statesman in Boise, Idaho, before moving to California in 2013 to work at the Orange County Register. She spent four years as a litigation reporter for the Los Angeles Daily Journal and has written for Los Angeles Magazine, Bloomberg Law, ABA Journal, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, The Forward, Los Angeles Business Journal and the Laguna Beach Independent. Email her at [email protected]. Twitter: @meghanncuniff

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September 22, 2021 | Law.com

What's Next: Lessons From a Cyberattack Trial + Discovery Fight Focuses on Riot Games' PR Tacts + 9th Circuit Says Judge Misstated Record in Google Privacy Issue

Tim Shields, an attorney with Kelley Kronenberg in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, spoke to What's Next about the current state of the flourishing criminal industry of cyberattacks, and how lawyers such as him are helping clients navigate safety precautions and practices.

By Meghann M. Cuniff

8 minute read

September 20, 2021 | The Recorder

California State Judge's Recusal Highlights Complexities of Judicial Endorsements

The Orange County Superior Court judge who recused himself endorsed a prosecutor's judicial campaign, then was assigned a murder case in which that prosecutor could be a key witness in pretrial proceedings over alleged misconduct involving jail informants.

By Meghann M. Cuniff

9 minute read

September 16, 2021 | The Recorder

Los Angeles Federal Jury Convicts Man in Cyberattack Scheme

The conspiracy involved so-called distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks, a government-recognized term for coordinated cyberattacks that commandeer and control targeted software.

By Meghann M. Cuniff

4 minute read

September 15, 2021 | The Recorder

Judge Orders DOJ to Give Michael Avenatti His Long-Sought Law Firm Server Images

Senior U.S. District Judge James Selna scheduled another status conference Monday to discuss the data that still needs to be given to Avenatti, but the judge also made clear the Nov. 2 retrial date is not going to change.

By Meghann M. Cuniff

5 minute read

September 13, 2021 | The Recorder

Bankruptcy Trustee Seeks $1.3M From Avenatti's Ex-Partner Michael Eagan

A new complaint accuses Eagan and his solo practice of accepting money from Avenatti between 2014 and 2016 that Eagan allegedly knew should have instead gone to Eagan Avenatti's growing list of creditors.

By Meghann M. Cuniff

6 minute read

September 10, 2021 | The Recorder

NY Judge in Avenatti Case Endorses DOJ Taint Teams Despite Mistrial in California

U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman on Thursday rejected a bid by Michael Avenatti to halt DOJ review of a newly accessed iPad in his wire fraud case involving ex-client Stormy Daniels. Distinguishing the case from the recent mistrial in California, the judge dismissed an oft-cited Fourth Circuit opinion criticizing the DOJ's privilege-review teams and said courts in his Second Circuit "have long blessed such procedures."

By Meghann M. Cuniff

10 minute read

September 09, 2021 | The Recorder

3 New Federal Trial Judge Nominees Welcomed in California, But Dire Shortage Remains

Maame Ewusi-Mensah Frimpong, a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge since 2016, and Hernán Vera, a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge since 2020, are tapped for the Central District of California, and Jennifer Thurston, a U.S. magistrate judge since 2009, is nominated for the Eastern District of California.

By Meghann M. Cuniff

6 minute read

September 03, 2021 | The Recorder

California Judge Tells Unmasked Attorneys, 'If You Get COVID, Congratulations'

While masks are required to enter all Central District buildings, judges are allowed to impose their own courtroom standards, and Judge David Carter has opted not to require masks or social distancing.

By Meghann M. Cuniff

4 minute read

August 26, 2021 | The Recorder

Judge Pushes Back Avenatti's Retrial Date as Scheduling Questions Still Loom

U.S. District Judge James Selna on Thursday also extended Avenatti's COVID-related jail release to Sept. 10; he said he'll "likely" extend it further if U.S. District Judge Paul Gardephe extends Avenatti's prison report date as Avenatti has requested.

By Meghann M. Cuniff

4 minute read

August 24, 2021 | The Recorder

Judge Declares Mistrial in Avenatti's Wire Fraud Case Over Newly Discovered Financial Data

U.S. District Judge James V. Selna said not having the data before trial denied Avenatti the opportunity to craft an overall case theory and incorporate the information into his opening statement and his witness exams.

By Meghann M. Cuniff

10 minute read

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