LABJ Weekly Edition

Lawyers Reap Prop. 65’s Rewards

Special Report: Toxic Prop

Proposition 65 attorneys take lion’s share of payouts in some settlements.

Hoteliers Find Rooms in L.A.

HOSPITALITY: Developers check into projects amid recovery.

Hoteliers have shed their recessionary reservations to move forward on a host of projects.

‘Dude, Where’s My Airplane?’

AVIATION: ILFC sues insurer over loss of aircraft in Russia.

Jet lessor ILFC seeks insurance payment for a plane lost in Russia.

Younger Footprint

Shoemaker’s son adds lower-price line to Cydwoq’s offerings.

Shoemaker’s son steps up role at Cydwoq with creation of lower-price line.

Family Fellowships By Design

Daughter follows dad to study architecture at academy in Rome.

Father and daughter keep it in the family with their fellowships to American Academy in Rome.

Heating Up The Icing

Coffee Bean whips up birthday cake-flavored drink for anniversary.

Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf treats customers with birthday cake-flavored drink to mark 50th anniversary.

When Caruso Sings ...

Rick Caruso is many things. Developer. Billionaire. Philanthropist. But he’s no Enrico Caruso.

Regional Report

News and notes from communities across Los Angeles County

Fit and Set to Split

INTERNET: Earnings rise as Demand prepares to divide business units.

Investors boost Demand Media shares as the firm prepares to split its domain name unit from its publishing business.

Bioresins Firm Looks to Mold Future in Indiana

PLASTICS: Cereplast to exit El Segundo as part of cost-cutting strategy.

Bioresins company Cereplast hopes moving its HQ to Indiana will help it get back in shape.

News Show Gives Small Cap Firms Screen Time

TELEVISION: ‘MoneyTV’ takes fee to let executives talk up companies’ stocks.

“MoneyTV” wants to help tune up small cap company stocks by getting investors tuned in.

Former Biofuels Firm Branches Out Into Wood

ENERGY: Rentech seeks to power up revenue with fiber and pellet production.

Rentech adds another plank to its business with wood fiber and pellet production.

Plane Parts Maker’s Stock Falls Back Down to Earth

AVIATION: Ducommun shares hurt by poor sales in mining, natural resources.

Natural resources and mining operations help ground shares of airplane parts maker Ducommun.

Unwelcome Mat Greets Homeowners Rate Hike

INSURANCE: Mercury Casualty loses petition to halt premium reduction.

Judge’s ruling damages Mercury Casualty’s bid to raise homeowners premiums.

Power-Recovery Machines Generate Deal in Japan

ENERGY: Access looks beyond resource-rich U.S. to sell efficiency systems.

The United States, which is producing more oil within its borders, faces less pressure to conserve than countries such as Japan that have few natural resources.

Foreclosure Attorney Ineligible to Practice Law

INVESTIGATION: State Bar could take more steps against Gene W. Choe.

Gene W. Choe, founder of what was once one of the city’s largest law firms fighting home foreclosures, has been ruled ineligible to practice law in California pending further disciplinary hearings.

Home Field

Architect Brenda A. Levin’s business blueprint has included going to the office with her husband every day for more than 30 years.

Data Bank

Calendar and Events

Reality Show Producer Fine-Tunes Headquarters

LEASE: Fremantle Media consolidates space with 10-year deal in Burbank.

Entertainment company Fremantle Media North America, producer of television shows such as “American Idol” and “X Factor,” is consolidating its headquarters in Burbank.

Disney Success Bit of a Marvel

Charles Crumpley thinks the bold decisions from the Mouse House stand as good examples for pipsqueak managers.

Look Past ‘Union’ Label

Wendy Greuel’s detractors place too much weight on her labor support while ignoring her business backing.

Stuart Waldman defends mayoral hopeful Wendy Greuel’s business bona fides while rejecting claims she would be indebted to unions.