News & Insights
In April, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled that federal courts sitting in diversity will not uphold jury-trial waivers in contracts signed under California law, even where each party waived its rights “knowingly and voluntarily.” The court held that federal courts sitting in diversity must apply the underlying state law to…
Beginning July 1, state law will require all California employers to annually provide at least 3 days of paid sick leave to their employees. The Healthy Workplaces, Healthy Families Act of 2014 (AB 1522) applies to all California employees (including part-time) who work at least 30 days a year, regardless of the employer’s size. In…
Non-profit health insurer Blue Shield of California has come under public scrutiny for its huge cash reserves, history of large rate increases, and lack of disclosure to the taxpayers. The California Franchise Tax Board punished Blue Shield by stripping the insurer of its tax-exempt status at the end of 2014. Today, Blue Shield remains controversial. …
Generally, employers in California are free to define their workdays and workweeks as they see fit, with at least one major caveat: they may not structure the workday or workweek in a way that systematically prevents employees from earning overtime pay. A recent case, Jakosalem v. Air Serv Corp., highlights the risks inherent in this…
The U.S. Supreme Court recently agreed with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) when it ruled North Carolina’s custom of practicing dentists serving on the state regulatory board was anticompetitive. The decision in North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners v. Federal Trade Commission could subject thousands of similarly structured boards to antitrust liability, and brings into…
Newport Beach, CA — March 26, 2015. On February 23, 2015, a Los Angeles Superior Court granted a motion for summary judgment filed by aerospace metal finishing company, EME, Inc., against a class of hourly workers who claimed, among other things, that EME’s practice of combining rest breaks was per se illegal. The court entered…
Background: What is PAGA? The Private Attorney General Act of 2004, or PAGA, allows a private citizen to pursue civil penalties on behalf of the State of California Labor and Workforce Development Agency (LWDA). PAGA gives the private citizen the unique ability to act as an attorney general, as he or she has the right…
Newsletter Signup
Orange County
2424 S.E. Bristol St., Suite 300
Newport Beach, CA 92660
(949) 222-2008 – Phone

Los Angeles
500 S. Grand Ave., Suite 2050
Los Angeles, CA, 90071
(213) 613-1683 – Phone