Employment Law Update
October 2020 It’s the time of year that we try to update you on the new laws affecting employers in the State of California. The legislative session has completed and the Governor has now either signed or vetoed all the bills sent to his desk. Below is an attempted summary of key bills for employees to understand, but is certainly not an exhaustive list: Bills Effective Immediately Upon Signing: Supplemental Paid Sick Leave & Small Employer Family Leave Mediation. AB 1867 requires COVID-19 supplemental paid sick leave for workers employed by private businesses of 500 or more employees nationally (and [...]
COVID-19 Update: Santa Barbara County Moves to Red Tier
Santa Barbara County moves into the red tier allowing more businesses to open and for some to include indoor operations, with modifications. The County of Santa Barbara’s Public Health Department announced that Santa Barbara now qualifies for red tier status after two consecutive weeks of meeting its rolling average. Gyms, movie theaters, personal care services like spas and nail salons, places of worship, and restaurants are among some of the businesses now allowed to operate indoor, with specific restrictions in place that may include a cap on capacity. In addition, all K-12 schools can return to in person instruction after [...]
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 [...]