Legal Alert: SEC Expands “Accredited Investor” Definition – Will Aid Small Businesses in Raising Capital
Change Will Open the Private Securities Markets to More Participants August 2020 The Securities and Exchange Commission adopted amendments to the SEC rules which expand the definition of who will qualify as an “accredited investor.” Historically, individuals have been required to meet minimum requirements for either income ($200,000) or net worth ($1,000,000) before they can participate in private investment markets. According to the SEC’s press release announcing the change, the updates are intended to more effectively identify institutional and individual investors that have the knowledge and expertise to participate in the private markets, even if they may not otherwise qualify [...]
What Happens in a Lawsuit? The Basic Steps of Civil Litigation
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 anywhere else, and which even vary between the state and federal courts. Most business activity these days brings with it the risk of needing to pursue or defend against a lawsuit. Before entering the civil litigation process, it is helpful to gain an understanding of [...]
Legal Alert: How do you manage WFH in today’s world?
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 reevaluating the way they work. Some may determine that a remote model is preferable, but what are the legal impacts? There are key policies, such as time tracking and ADA compliance, that should be evaluated. What legal considerations need to honored in a work-from-home environment? [...]
Housing Bills To Watch This Legislative Session
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 would authorize local jurisdictions to update the zoning on any parcel to up to 10 units per parcel if the parcel is transit rich, jobs rich, or in an urban infill area. Local jurisdictions could adopt such an ordinance notwithstanding local restrictions, including restrictions enacted [...]
Legal Alert: California Fair Housing Law and the Novel Coronavirus
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 their adult children to an existing lease? What rights and responsibilities does a landlord have if they learn that one of their tenants is infected? Can a landlord require tenants to tell them they are or think they have been infected? What Are California's Fair [...]
Legal Alert: A Guide to Issues with Residential and Commercial Tenancies Caused by COVID-19, For Landlords and Tenants
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 ban evictions for non-payment of rent if the tenant can prove their financial hardship was caused by the pandemic. Both the City and County of Santa Barbara have enacted such bans within the last week. What the Ordinances Do In both residential and commercial contexts, [...]