Kamala Harris' law school sees applicant surge, McDonald's faces class action over E.coli outbreak, WilmerHale shutters Beijing office and more ??

?? Good morning from The Legal File! Here is the rundown of today's top legal news:

?? Kamala Harris' law school reports an applicant surge as election nears

The University of California College of the Law, San Francisco, has reported a 64% spike in its number of applicants during the final weeks of the U.S. presidential election between Donald Trump and the school's alumna, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris.

The school has received 633 applications thus far, up from 385 this time last year, according to a report prepared by the Law School Admission Council and reviewed by Reuters. The council maintains a centralized application system for all U.S. law schools accredited by the American Bar Association.

Law Dean David Faigman said on Oct. 29 that applicants have cited Harris as one reason UC Law San Francisco is in high demand this year. Harris, who is running for president as a Democrat, graduated from the school in 1989 when it was called the University of California Hastings College of the Law.

UC Law San Francisco’s increase is nearly twice that of the 33% increase in the national applicant pool this year, a number tracked by the Law School Admission Council.

Legal education experts have attributed some of that gain to an earlier application process this year, although they also say presidential elections can prompt more people to consider legal careers.

A law school spokesperson said the current 64% increase in applicants is the largest in the five years for which the school has data.

Read more.

?? McDonald's sued by consumers in proposed class action over E.coli outbreak

McDonald's was sued on Oct. 29 by consumers in a proposed class action stemming from the E.coli outbreak linked to onions in the fast-food chain's Quarter Pounders.

Amanda McCray of Chicago and William Michael Kraft of Davie, Florida, said they experienced many symptoms associated with E.coli infection after buying Quarter Pounders this month.

Both said they would not have bought their burgers had McDonald's disclosed the risk of contamination, and have suffered damages because of McDonald's actions.

The lawsuit filed in Chicago federal court seeks unspecified damages, but exceeding $5 million, for all people in the United States who bought Quarter Pounders contaminated with E.coli.

Last week, McDonald's halted Quarter Pounder sales in one-fifth of its 14,000 U.S. restaurants after an outbreak that killed at least one person and sickened 75 people.

After McDonald's reported quarterly results on Oct. 29, Chief Executive Chris Kempczinski apologized to customers for the outbreak. He said on a conference call that the situation appeared contained, and that he was "confident in the safety of eating at McDonald's."

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?? US judge declines to recuse from case against man accused of Trump assassination attempt

A U.S. judge on Oct. 29 declined to recuse herself from presiding over the criminal case against a man who is facing charges for trying to assassinate former president and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.

U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, who was appointed by Trump to the bench in 2020, said in her ruling, the attorneys for Ryan Wesley Routh did not present a valid basis for her to step aside.

Cannon has faced criticism in the past over her rulings in two high-profile cases involving Trump, including criminal charges brought by Special Counsel Jack Smith that Trump mishandled classified documents after leaving the White House and obstructed the Justice Department's investigation.

In July, Cannon dismissed the charges against Trump, saying Smith was unlawfully appointed to his role and did not have the authority to bring the case.

Routh, who is accused of staking out Trump's golf course with a rifle, has pleaded not guilty. He faces up to life in prison if convicted.

His attorneys said Cannon's favorable rulings for Trump, the fact that he nominated her to the bench, and the prospect for Trump to nominate her to a higher court should he win the Nov. 5 election all could create an appearance of partiality in the mind of the public.

Cannon said none of these issues created the need for her to recuse.

"I have never spoken to or met former President Trump except in connection with his required presence at an official judicial proceeding," Cannon wrote.

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?? WilmerHale shutters Beijing office, joining US law firms' retreat

U.S. law firm Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr is shutting down its Beijing office after 20 years, as major firms continue to reassess their presence in China's legal market.

"Like many others, WilmerHale has evaluated our global footprint and has made the decision to close our office in Beijing," the firm said in a statement on Oct. 29.

The firm said it will continue to work with clients operating in China and globally on trade, sanctions and export control, anti-money laundering and corporate deals.

A spokesperson said the firm intends to close the office at the end of November, with operations fully winding down by its March lease expiration. The firm declined to offer additional comment.

The Beijing office is Wilmer's only outpost in Asia, according to its website. The 1,100-lawyer firm lists four active attorneys in Beijing, including two partners.

A growing number of major U.S. law firms have shrunk their footprints in China over the past two years, amid growing pressures on foreign businesses, economic uncertainties, muted deal activities, and geopolitical tensions.

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?? That's all for today, thank you for reading?The Legal File and have a great day!

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