Less than 1: PM Edition, June 5

Less than 1 : AM Edition, July 7

This morning on Less than 1: investors clear a key hurdle in their fraud suit against Steve Ballmer and Joseph Sanberg over a collapsed carbon-offset startup, and the 9th Circuit hands California a win in the fight over gas appliances. Also: Justices Kagan and Barrett will testify before Congress for the first time since 2019, an AI startup CEO's secret guilty plea in a law firm insider trading scheme is unsealed, and the Supreme Court allows Texas to enforce its app store age-verification law while a First Amendment challenge proceeds. Stories mentioned in this episode: Justices Kagan and Barrett on tap to testify on Capitol Hill next week https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2026/07/07/congress/scotus-to-congress-00988557 AI startup CEO pleaded guilty in US to trading on insider tips from lawyers https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/ai-startup-ceo-pleaded-guilty-us-trading-insider-tips-lawyers-2026-07-07/ Supreme Court won’t block Texas from enforcing a law requiring age verification for app downloads https://apnews.com/article/texas-age-mobile-app-verification-law-supreme-court-362137cccb26fc5f5dfbb71fb2b2f3db?

Less than 1: PM Edition, July 6

This evening on Less than 1: LA judge Pat Connolly survives a razor-thin reelection race, a Honda fraud verdict may strengthen defect claims in California lemon law cases, and a San Francisco public defender petitions to dismiss a misdemeanor case over a speedy trial violation. Also: the USPTO abandons its Board of Peace trademark applications, and a Central Valley farmer gives away 100,000 pounds of nectarines he can't legally sell. Stories mentioned in this episode: LA Judge Pat Connolly survives razor-thin reelection race https://www.dailyjournal.com/articles/392803-la-judge-pat-connolly-survives-razor-thin-reelection-race Honda fraud verdict may strengthen defect claims in California lemon law cases https://www.dailyjournal.com/articles/392794-honda-fraud-verdict-may-strengthen-defect-claims-in-california-lemon-law-cases Public defender seeks dismissal of misdemeanor case over speedy trial claim https://www.dailyjournal.com/articles/392795-public-defender-seeks-dismissal-of-misdemeanor-case-over-speedy-trial-claim (Reuters) US trademark office abandons 'Board of Peace' branding rights applications https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/us-trademark-office-abandons-board-peace-branding-rights-applications-2026-07-06/ (AP News) A California farmer is giving away tons of nectarines that he’s not allowed to sell https://apnews.com/article/california-farmer-nectarines-lawsuit-patent-4f7bc8ab185e8b9cbdd6d6ad4f2aabd1

Less than 1: AM Edition, July 6

This morning on Less than 1: a judge allows Edison's cross-claims against LA County to proceed in the Eaton Fire litigation. Also: the Supreme Court's next term shapes up with major cases on guns, voting rights and LGBT rights, the SEC proposes its biggest public company reporting overhaul in years, and a professor fired for criticizing Charlie Kirk reaches a $1.9 million settlement. Stories mentioned in this episode: (Reuters) US Supreme Court to hear gun, LGBT, voting rights cases in next term https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/us-supreme-court-hear-gun-lgbt-voting-rights-cases-next-term-2026-07-05/ (Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance) SEC Proposes Rules Simplifying Filer Status Determinations and Increasing Disclosure Accommodations https://corpgov.law.harvard.edu/2026/06/04/sec-proposes-rules-simplifying-filer-status-determinations-and-increasing-disclosure-accommodations/?utm_source=chatgpt.com (NYT) Professor Fired for Criticizing Charlie Kirk Reaches $1.9 Million Settlement https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/01/us/tennessee-professor-charlie-kirk-settlement.html

Less than 1: PM Edition, July 2

This evening on Less than 1: Netflix moves for $3 million in attorney fees after winning a patent case it says was built on fraud. Also: a Los Angeles judge refuses to lift a discovery stay in the dispute over dozens of child sex abuse plaintiffs caught between two competing probation camp settlements — and wants plaintiffs to identify their legal theory first. And: Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers takes over as chief judge of the Northern District of California. Plus: the EEOC sues 99 Ranch Market over alleged discrimination against non-Chinese employees, and U.S. legal sector jobs hit an all-time high for the third straight month. Stories mentioned in this episode: Netflix seeks $3 million in fees over patent suit it calls fraudulent https://dailyjournal.com/articles/392777-netflix-seeks-3-million-in-fees-over-patent-suit-it-calls-fraudulent Judge seeks legal basis for discovery in abuse settlement dispute https://dailyjournal.com/articles/392776-judge-seeks-legal-basis-for-discovery-in-abuse-settlement-dispute Gonzalez Rogers is named chief judge of Northern District https://dailyjournal.com/articles/392760-gonzalez-rogers-is-named-chief-judge-of-northern-district (LA Times) Feds accuse 99 Ranch of discriminating against non-Chinese employees https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2026-07-01/feds-accuse-99-ranch-of-discriminating-against-non-chinese-employees (Reuters) US legal sector jobs continued to climb in June https://www.reuters.com/legal/legalindustry/us-legal-sector-jobs-continued-climb-june-2026-07-02/

Less than 1: AM Edition, July 2

This morning on Less than 1: a judge strikes Huntington Beach's CEQA challenge to the state's housing enforcement lawsuit, dealing the city another loss in its yearslong fight against California's housing mandates. Also: a Los Angeles judge will hear arguments over whether to lift a discovery stay for dozens of child sex abuse plaintiffs caught between two competing settlements in the coordinated LA County probation camp cases. Plus: the Supreme Court is quietly building a massive police force — and Congress wants answers on the bill. And: the LA City Council shelves a ballot measure to exempt new apartments from the city's "mansion tax." Stories mentioned in this episode: Judge rejects Huntington Beach CEQA challenge to state housing enforcement suit https://dailyjournal.com/articles/392752-judge-rejects-huntington-beach-ceqa-challenge-to-state-housing-enforcement-suit (Politico) The Supreme Court Is Building Its Own Massive Police Force https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2026/06/28/supreme-court-justices-security-police-00969784 (LAist) LA City Council shelves ballot measure to cancel the ‘mansion tax’ on new apartments https://laist.com/news/housing-homelessness/los-angeles-city-council-mansion-tax-measure-ula-november-ballot-measure-2026-vote