The Eaton wildfire left a devastating mark on Altadena, California, a historically significant community nestled in the foothills of Los Angeles County. Known for its charm, diversity, and deep-rooted sense of community and friendship, the neighborhoods of Altadena have been turned to ash. Among those affected was the community of middle-class Black families that had created a tight-knit community starting in the 1960s and 70s when redlining practices pushed them out of the city and into the hills of Altadena. The losses this community now faces extend far beyond property– their lives have been shattered, with many grieving the deaths of loved ones and the destruction of cherished memories and community.
As the catastrophic fires in Los Angeles and surrounding areas continue to burn, Mayor Karen Bass has issued a sweeping Executive Order aimed at expediting recovery and rebuilding efforts for the thousands of Angelenos affected. With over 25,000 acres burned, more than 5,000 homes and businesses destroyed, and 80,000 residents displaced, the time for swift and decisive action is now.
This Executive Order, dubbed the “Return and Rebuild” initiative, is a comprehensive plan to streamline recovery processes, reduce bureaucratic barriers, and provide immediate relief to impacted communities. Below are the key provisions of the order and what they mean for affected residents.
In September 2024, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 1414 into law, making it a serious felony to purchase sex from a minor under the age of 16. While this is a step forward, it’s not enough to protect survivors and hold perpetrators accountable. The reality is that the demand created by buyers fuels the entire sex trafficking industry—and until buyers are held accountable in a more meaningful way, we will continue to fight an uphill battle against trafficking.
Human Trafficking Prevention Month serves as a crucial reminder of the ongoing battle against sex trafficking. For years, society has relied heavily on the criminal justice system and victim advocacy to address the national crisis of human trafficking. While these efforts are invaluable, there is an underutilized avenue for combating trafficking that has the potential to create systemic change: the civil justice system. This tool actively disrupts trafficking networks by delivering justice for survivors, holding profiteers accountable, and cutting off the resources ...
If you are a homeowner who’s insurer cancelled or non-renewed your policy and you subsequently experienced fire damage in California, you may be eligible to file a claim against the insurance company. Losing your home in a wildfire is devastating, you should not have to deal with the unjust practices of insurance companies on your own. Contact Singleton Schreiber to learn more about how we may be able to help you.
When facing a serious health condition, understanding how to seek justice and recover damages is crucial—especially when the harm results from the use of a prescribed medication. This is particularly true for women who used Depo-Provera, and its generic equivalents, for birth control. Recent medical research suggests that prolonged use of the injectable contraceptive Depo-Provera may increase a women’s risk of developing a meningioma, a type of brain tumor, by over 400%.
Sexual violence against Native American women living on reservations in the United States is an ongoing crisis, deeply rooted in historical oppression, systemic neglect, and jurisdictional complexity. Native women experience sexual assault at rates that are shockingly disproportionate compared to other groups; four in five American Indian and Alaska Native women (84.3 percent) have experienced violence in their lifetime; 56.1 percent have experienced sexual violence; one in three Native American women reports being raped during their lifetime, a rate 2.5 times higher than that of women from other racial groups. Understanding and addressing this problem requires an exploration of the factors that contribute to it, including historical violence and structural barriers to justice.
Ethylene Oxide (EtO) is a hazardous, man-made gas widely used in sterilization, fumigation, and chemical manufacturing. Recognized as a potent carcinogen, EtO poses serious health risks even at low exposure levels. Learn about the science, risks of ETO exposure, and what to do if you believe you have been exposed.
Native American communities have been profoundly impacted by environmental damage, as their lands and resources have shouldered the heavy burden of climate change and industrial pollution. Fossil fuel companies have long prioritized profits over transparency, hiding their knowledge of the destructive impacts of their operations on natural resources. This negligence has led to severe consequences for Native lands, including increased flooding, loss of land from rising sea levels, wildfires, drought, and soil erosion. These forces threaten not only the physical landscape but also the cultural heritage and traditional practices that are interwoven with the environment.
In a significant gesture, President Biden recently issued a formal apology on behalf of the United States, recognizing the historic and ongoing pain inflicted on Native American communities. As a Native American and member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, I know this apology represents more than just words. It’s a call to action—a reminder of our responsibility to pursue justice for generations of Native peoples who have endured neglect, discrimination, and systemic abuse at the hands of federal policies. For Singleton Schreiber’s Tribal Litigation team, led by myself, the fight for justice for Native communities isn’t just professional; it’s profoundly personal.