July 2020 When private parties are unable to resolve a business dispute, they can file a lawsuit to have the dispute resolved by the civil branch of either our state or federal court systems. The civil litigation process can be bewildering to non-lawyers, since it is full of terminology and processes that aren't used [...]
July 2020 Working from home used to be a flexible option provided to employees by some employers, but was definitely not a mandate. With the current coronavirus pandemic, a shift has been made that makes remote working not only an option, but in some cases, a requirement. As businesses reopen, employers and employees are [...]
June 2020 The California legislature has spent the last four years passing sweeping housing bills in an effort to make a dent in the State's severe housing shortage and 2020 may prove no different. Here are the housing bills to watch for the remainder of this legislative session: SB 902 (Weiner) - This bill [...]
April 2020 California landlords are facing a host of issues caused by the Novel Coronavirus, two of which directly impact California's robust fair housing framework: Due to either medical risks or economic conditions, young adults are moving back in with their parents at unprecedented rates. Does a landlord have to allow parent-tenants to add [...]
March 2020 On March 16 Governor Newsom issued Executive Order N-28-20, which provided both guidance and enforcement mechanisms for local municipalities to prevent a possibly rapid increase in evictions and foreclosures arising out of the economic damage caused by of COVID-19. Most importantly, the Executive Order gave authority to California cities and counties to [...]
March 2020 Following up on our recent client alerts about SARS-Cov-2 disaster relief for small businesses, one of the brightest spots for small businesses in the latest (third if you're keeping score) federal stimulus package, which was enacted March 27 as the 'CARES Act," are emergency Small Business Administration 7(a) loans. These "payroll protection [...]
On March 19, 2020 Governor Gavin Newsom issued an order directing: "all individuals living in the State of California to stay home or at their place of residence except as needed to maintain continuity of operations of the federal critical infrastructure sectors...." The order includes potential misdemeanor penalties for violating the restrictions, and raises [...]
COVID -19 Guidance The Coronavirus (COVID-19) has become an evolving and uncertain public health issue affecting people globally and close to home, we recognize that all of us will certainly be impacted. Circumstances are changing seemingly by the hour, creating uncertainty for business and the public alike. While we are focused on the safety and [...]
March 2020 With the rapid spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus around the globe, even companies outside of the impacted areas have been forced to prepare for the worst. The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed hundreds of cases across the United States, including here in California. Public health officials have suggested [...]
February 2020 On September 18, 2019 Governor Newsom signed AB-5, codifying the now-infamous Dynamex decision as law. This new law radically changes the legal test for who is an employee (rather than an independent contractor) under California law. While the law has gotten a lot of press in the context of the so-called “gig” [...]