---
title: 2025 December
url: https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2025-december
---

# [2025 December](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2025-december "2025 December")

[![Advocate Dec25 cvr ezine](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/images/issues/2025/12-december/Advocate-Dec25-cvr-ezine.jpg)](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/ezines/2025/December2025/html5/Advocate-Dec25-issue.html)

Articles in this issue:

## [Looking back on the challenges and successes of 2025](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2025-december/looking-back-on-the-challenges-and-successes-of-2025 "Looking back on the challenges and successes of 2025")

It’s been an honor to serve you

[Martin I. Aarons](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/martin-i-aarons "Martin I. Aarons")

## [Stronger Together](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2025-december/stronger-together-5 "Stronger Together")

A year of purpose, partnership, and progress

[Aaron Hicks](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/aaron-hicks "Aaron Hicks")

## [Wrapping up CAOC’s legislative year](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2025-december/wrapping-up-caoc-s-legislative-year "Wrapping up CAOC’s legislative year")

Five CAOC-sponsored bills are signed; also, Survival actions for SB 447 pain and suffering damages must be filed by year end

[Nancy Peverini](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/nancy-peverini "Nancy Peverini")

## [Appellate Reports](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2025-december/appellate-reports-57 "Appellate Reports")

Trial judge is the best judge of reasonable hourly rates for trial attorneys. Arbitration: the need to show signed arbitration agreement defendant relies on. Also, good faith settlement findings and motions to amend judgment

[Jeffrey I. Ehrlich](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/jeffrey-i-ehrlich "Jeffrey I. Ehrlich")

## [Standing with our communities in times of need](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2025-december/standing-with-our-communities-in-times-of-need "Standing with our communities in times of need")

From support for fire victims to adaptive equipment for kids and teens, we make a difference

[Megan E. Klein](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/megan-e-klein-2 "Megan E. Klein")
[Michelle M. West](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/michelle-m-west "Michelle M. West")

## [Products liability in the European Union](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2025-december/products-liability-in-the-european-union "Products liability in the European Union")

The new regime: Fool’s gold

## [Products-liability defects in collision-mitigation systems](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2025-december/products-liability-defects-in-collision-mitigation-systems "Products-liability defects in collision-mitigation systems")

As automobiles and their drivers increasingly rely on automation, litigation over collision-mitigation systems will only grow

[Don Slavik](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/don-slavik "Don Slavik")

## [Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) vs. individual cases](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2025-december/multidistrict-litigation-mdl-vs-individual-cases "Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) vs. individual cases")

Exploring the benefits and risks of coordinated proceedings versus individual litigation

[Anastasia K. Mazzella](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/anastasia-k-mazzella "Anastasia K. Mazzella")

## [Products-liability cases involving children](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2025-december/products-liability-cases-involving-children "Products-liability cases involving children")

Pitfalls and pathways to a successful case

[Hunter Norton](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/hunter-norton "Hunter Norton")

## [ChatGPT will see you now](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2025-december/chatgpt-will-see-you-now "ChatGPT will see you now")

The dangers of unregulated digital mental-health therapy, and bringing products-liability claims to hold AI developers accountable

## [To Hague or not to Hague](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2025-december/to-hague-or-not-to-hague "To Hague or not to Hague")

An overview of serving a foreign defendant and establishing jurisdiction in California to avoid Hague Convention service

## [Assessment and discovery strategy in strict-products-liability cases](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2025-december/assessment-and-discovery-strategy-in-strict-products-liability-cases "Assessment and discovery strategy in strict-products-liability cases")

A methodical approach can make all the difference in high-stakes products litigation

[Santo Riccobono](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/santo-riccobono "Santo Riccobono")
[Tobin Ellis](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/tobin-ellis "Tobin Ellis")

## [Hidden gold in plain sight](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2025-december/hidden-gold-in-plain-sight "Hidden gold in plain sight")

How to leverage public records in product-defect cases

[Adam Shea](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/adam-shea "Adam Shea")
[Jordan Phillips](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/jordan-phillips "Jordan Phillips")

## [The new auto-defect case you are missing](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2025-december/the-new-auto-defect-case-you-are-missing "The new auto-defect case you are missing")

Collision Avoidance Technology (CAT) can prevent or mitigate many common auto accidents

[Brian Chase](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/brian-chase "Brian Chase")