Month: September 2024

Kaba Inducted into Prestigious American College of Trial Lawyers

Known as the preeminent organization of trial lawyers in North America, ACTL limits membership to no more than one percent of the total lawyer population of any state or province. Mr. Kaba, recognized as one of the best trial lawyers in the country by Chambers and Benchmark Litigation, is also a fellow of the prestigious International Association of Trial Lawyers, making him one of the select few who are fellows of both organizations.

With Mr. Kaba, Hueston Hennigan now has four fellows of the ACTL, including Brian Hennigan, John Hueston and Vicki Chou.

Founded in 1950, the ACTL is composed of the best of the trial bar from the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Fellowship is extended only by invitation, after careful investigation, to experienced trial lawyers from all branches of trial practice who have mastered the art of advocacy and whose professional careers have been marked by the highest standards of ethical conduct, professionalism, civility and collegiality.

Jackson Named Among Daily Journal’s Top 40 Under 40

Among her matters, the Daily Journal noted that Ms. Jackson defended Endo Pharmaceuticals in San Francisco’s litigation against opioid makers and distributors, which settled just before trial. She is currently defending Activision Blizzard against potential arbitration actions alleging consumer protection violations, and she is part of the team defending Amazon against an FTC suit challenging some of its marketing practices for Prime, the Daily Journal noted.

Ms. Jackson’s profile is here (subscription required).

Hueston Appointed Chair of UCI Law’s Board of Visitors

The board of visitors is an advisory committee — comprised of legal, business and community members — that serves the law school by invitation of the dean. Board members advise the dean on strategic planning and efforts to continue to strengthen the school’s national and global standing; they support the school’s fundraising efforts; and they promote the school’s programs, students and leadership in local, national and global communities.

“It’s an honor to be appointed to serve as chair of the UC Irvine School of Law Board of Visitors,” said Mr. Hueston. “UC Irvine Law is a forward-thinking school committed to not only delivering an innovative education to tomorrow’s lawyers but also to instilling values such as the importance of public service and equity in the profession. I look forward to working with the board to continue to play my small part in the school’s future.”

Dean and Chancellor’s Professor of Law Austen Parrish said Mr. Hueston has been a “steadfast supporter of UC Irvine Law School and a remarkable leader in the legal community.”

“We are thrilled to have him chair our board of visitors and we are excited for the innovative ideas and strategic guidance he will bring to our law school,” Dean Parrish said. “John is one of the nation’s finest lawyers and a true innovator. His commitment to professional excellence, his support of social justice issues and lawyers making a difference in the communities they serve, fits perfectly with the law school’s mission and bold ambitions.”

For UCI Law’s press release, please go here.

Court Appoints John Hueston as Monitor to Ensure VA Compliance with Historic Ruling to Provide Care for Homeless Veterans

The judge’s ruling held the VA accountable for failing to honor its obligations on the West Los Angeles VA Campus and ordered that the campus be used to provide housing and healthcare to disabled veterans as originally intended. The ruling voided four significant land-use leases on the West LA VA campus, including UCLA, Brentwood School, Safety Park and Bridgeland, and ordered the construction of both permanent and temporary housing.

“I am honored to have been selected as the monitor to ensure timely and comprehensive compliance with Judge Carter’s order, and am pleased to serve on a pro bono basis,” said Hueston. “Our veterans have made immeasurable sacrifices, and for far too long, the VA failed to provide a home and care for veterans as it pledged more than 100 years ago. I look forward to ensuring compliance with this order so that adequate housing and care is provided to veterans who desperately need it.”

As part of his role, Hueston will oversee the planning and construction of both temporary and permanent supportive housing, the construction of a Town Center, staffing the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program case worker ranks to an appropriate level, increasing VA homeless veteran outreach staff to an appropriate level, ensuring that the VA does not enter any land use agreement that does not principally benefit veterans and their families, and auditing compliance to ensure elimination of specified discriminatory practices against disabled veterans.

Hueston has a long and distinguished private and public sector career. His work as a prosecutor included sweeping and complex investigations and cases, including U.S. v. Kenneth Lay and Jeffrey Skilling. During his tenure as a prosecutor, he earned national accolades for his work, including the Department of the Army’s Outstanding Civilian Service Medal, the U.S. Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Service (the highest award granted by the attorney general within the Department of Justice), and three DOJ Director’s Awards for Superior Service.

A Fellow of both the American College of Trial Lawyers and the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, Hueston was recently recognized by Chambers USA for his Outstanding Contribution to the Legal Profession. At Hueston Hennigan, he represents Fortune 500 companies and governments as lead counsel in complex civil matters, including breach of contract, real estate, and fraud cases. He has also served as independent counsel for investigations on behalf of numerous government agencies, including the County of San Bernardino, the City of Santa Monica, and the San Diego Association of Governments.

You can see the order appointing a special monitor here.

Coverage of the appointment appeared in the Daily Journal.