Justin Walker

Ford Motor Co.’s racketeering lawsuit against three “lemon law” firms in Southern California hit the skids on Monday when a federal judge dismissed the entire case. U.S. District Judge Michelle Williams Court, in the Central District of California, found that Knight Law Group, Altman Law Group and Wirtz Law were immune under the Noerr-Pennington doctrine, which protects lawyers from liability for simply petitioning the courts under the First Amendment unless the corporations can prove the cases are “sham” lawsuits. As such, she dismissed the complaint, which had alleged the firms collectively billed $100 million in fraudulent fees. https://loom.ly/hd-b0Og

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The now-famous Tesla verdict wasn’t just about one crash... it’s a signal for what’s coming next in mobility, liability, and accountability. On Sept 3, Mike Nelson and Dr. Phil Koopman return to break down the trial transcripts and exhibits from Benavides v. Tesla Inc. — uncovering how the jury reached its decision, what the evidence really showed, and what this means for the future of tech-driven cases. Beyond the headlines, this is about data integrity, safety claims, and the roadmap for accountability in the age of AI-powered vehicles. Join us for Part 2: The Story Behind the Verdict. Click here: https://hubs.li/Q03GmKYN0 #TeslaVerdict #FutureOfMobility #AutonomousVehicles #EVLaw #ProductLiability #LegalInsights #CrashInvestigation #TechLiability #DataIntegrity #CourtroomStrategy #NelsonLaw #LawOfMotion

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The LA Superior Court has overruled opposing counsel's demurrers, allowing California New Car Dealers Association (CNCDA)’s lawsuit over alleged franchise law violations tied to Afeela EV sales to proceed. The case now moves into discovery as CNCDA continues working to protect California’s franchised dealers and ensure fair competition. Kudos to our litigation team, including Michael Cypers, Julie Gerchik, Andrew Dane and Olivia Weiss on this excellent result. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gg73a3Y2 #Litigation #FranchiseLaw #AutoIndustry #LegalUpdate

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Nelson Mullins partner Jim Dudukovich provides timely insight on the FTC’s $2.5 billion settlement with Amazon over Prime subscription practices. Even without the Click-to-Cancel Rule, enforcement is active, and businesses offering auto-renew subscriptions need to ensure terms are clear, consent is obtained, and cancellation is simple. Jim’s alert offers essential guidance for companies seeking to stay compliant and avoid regulatory risks.

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It's easier than ever for automotive repair shops, smog check specialists, and brake and lamp stations in California to renew their licenses. Earlier this year, the Bureau Of Automotive Repair demonstrated its new SimpliGov-powered digital form and workflow. “[The platform is] very flexible, and we have great support of our vendor... It’s pretty user-friendly.” Read all about how Bureau Of Automotive Repair converted a complicated paper form into an easy, intuitive customer experience—on time and on budget: https://lnkd.in/g5dZtHpK #digitalgovernment #digitalforms #workflowautomation #bettercitizenservice #userexperience #automotive #automotiverepairdealers #smogcheckstations

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A significant legislative measure concerning autonomous vehicles in California, Assembly Bill 33 (AB33), has successfully passed the State Assembly. The bill, strongly supported by the Teamsters union, now awaits consideration by the California State Senate. The core provision of AB33 mandates the presence of a trained human operator in any autonomous vehicle engaged in commercial goods delivery directly to residences or businesses. ⚡ https://lnkd.in/eNykUhzd

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2026 is shaping up to be a transformative year for the automotive industry. From evolving regulations to rapid technology adoption and market shifts, staying ahead requires insight and strategy. Get the latest trends and analysis in this month’s automotive update: https://lnkd.in/guN8BVUN

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TARIFF UPDATE: On the latest episode of This Week in Tariffs With Dykema's Tina T. Toma, Esq., MBA The White House just unveiled two major policy shifts aimed at softening the impact of automotive tariffs. What do they mean for OEMs and suppliers?  - Confirmation that there are no cumulative tariffs—only the highest rate applies - A new tariff credit is available for U.S.-assembled vehicles (with strings attached) - Suppliers won’t receive the credit—but will play a critical role in compliance - Documentation and sourcing strategy matter more than ever   Check it out now! https://lnkd.in/erNRvf5c   #ThisWeekInTariffs #Automotive #SupplyChain #Tariffs #TradePolicy #ContractLaw #OEM # #Dykema #TeamDykema #AutoIndustry #USMCA #PolicyUpdate

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Partner Justin B. Shapiro spoke with NBC 6 South Florida about the trial stemming from a deadly 2019 crash involving Tesla’s Autopilot feature. “This case could set a very powerful precedent for future cases involving Tesla's autopilot technology and the technology of many other manufacturers,” Mr. Shapiro said. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eaxiqXM6

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