First District reverses a trial-court ruling that the Mendocino Railway (operator of the Skunk Train) was not a public utility, holding that the railroad’s federal common-carrier status and demonstrated freight and passenger service make it a public utility entitled to exercise eminent domain.
First District reverses summary judgment for the Salvation Army in a wage suit by adult-rehabilitation ‘work therapy’ participants, holding that the trial court applied the wrong legal standard for distinguishing a volunteer from an employee under California wage law.
First District holds California courts may exercise specific personal jurisdiction over Citgo Petroleum in coordinated climate-damages litigation brought by California cities and counties, based on Citgo’s longstanding gasoline supply contracts with California retailers.