News & Publications
Nielsen Merksamer Files Amicus Brief Urging Supreme Court to Accept Major Indian Gaming Case
On November 23, Nielsen Merksamer litigators filed a brief on behalf of the California State Association of Counties and Amador County, California, asking the United States Supreme Court to grant certiorari in Citizens Against Reservation Shopping v. Jewell, #16-572.
Art Scotland Named to the CCJSCA Hall of Fame
In November of 2016, Justice Arthur Scotland, of counsel at Nielsen Merksamer, was named to the Hall of Fame of the Council of Chief Judges of the State Courts of Appeal, in recognition of his “notable and extraordinary service” to the organization. He is one of only thirteen individuals to have been inducted into that body in the CCJSCA’s 36-year existence.
Art Scotland Receives SacLEGAL’s Fourth Annual Founders’ Award
On November 10, Justice Arthur Scotland, of counsel at Nielsen Merksamer, received the Fourth Annual Founders’ Award from SacLEGAL, Sacramento’s LGBT bar association, comprised of attorneys, professionals and legislative advocates affiliated with the Sacramento County Bar Association.
Jim Parrinello Honored with San Francisco Apartment Association President’s Award
On November 10, Jim Parrinello, the head of Nielsen Merksamer’s litigation section, received the San Francisco Apartment Association’s Presidents’ Award at the Association’s 10th Annual Trophy Awards dinner.
Election Results in the States: Political Law Ballot Measures
Four states had statewide ballot measures that concerned some aspect of ethics, campaign contributions, or lobbying on the November 2016 ballot. Three passed; one, in Washington State, failed.
First District Court of Appeal Unanimously Rules the Ellis Act Preempts San Francisco’s 10-Year Ban on Residential Unit Mergers
The First District Court of Appeal issued a unanimous ruling on September 19, striking down a San Francisco ordinance that sought to ban the merger of residential units (i.e., merging two smaller units into one larger one, or merging part of one unit into another unit) for 10 years after an owner exercises rights under the Ellis Act to remove the units from the rental market.
California Treasurer Restricts Bond Financers from Participating in Bond Election Campaigns
California State Treasurer John Chiang announced a new policy on July 27, prohibiting bond finance firms, bond counsel, underwriters, and financial advisers from engaging in state-issued bond sales unless they stay out of bond election campaigns in California.
Nielsen Merksamer Attorneys Recognized As 2016 Northern California Super Lawyers/Rising Stars
Nielsen Merksamer is pleased to announce that Steve Merksamer has been named a Northern California Super Lawyer and Chris Skinnell and Elli Abdoli were named Northern California Rising Stars for 2016. The lists recognize leading attorneys in the State. This is Merksamer’s sixth time being selected as a Super Lawyer, having been chosen previously in 2009-2012 and 2015; it is Skinnell’s fourth time being selected as Rising Star, having been previously selected in 2013, 2014 and 2015; and it is Ms. Abdoli’s first time being selected as a Rising Star.
Jim Gross Talks Health Care Reform Following the 2016 Election
On June 3, 2016, Nielsen Merksamer partner Jim Gross joined State of Reform to discuss what a Republican President in 2017 could mean for California’s health care reform.
Chip Nielsen Recognized as Leading Political Law Practitioner by Chambers and Partners
Nielsen Merksamer is pleased to announce that Chambers and Partners has ranked Chip Nielsen as one of the leading practitioners in the nation in Political Law in 2016. Chambers ranks law firms and individual lawyers in bands from 1-6, with 1 being the best. Mr. Nielsen was ranked in Band 1.