The Firm Wins Twice In California Court Of Appeal, Protecting Right To Jury Trial

The California Court of Appeal recently published an opinion vindicating the right to a jury trial. After the firm filed suit on behalf of its clients, two sets of defendants moved to compel arbitration. Another group of defendants joined one of the motions. The trial court denied both motions and the joinder. All defendants appealed. In a published opinion, the Court of Appeal affirmed the trial court’s ruling as to a first set of defendants, finding that they could not compel arbitration because there was no agreement to arbitrate and that equitable estoppel did not apply. Denial of the joinder was also affirmed in that opinion. Months later, the Court of Appeal affirmed the trial court’s ruling on a second motion. That ruling was largely based on published authority in the first opinion.