California has some of the most employee-friendly labor regulations in the country, which can make it challenging for employers to navigate. In particular, wage and hour violations can lead to significant penalties and exposure for both small and large businesses. While employers often believe they have met their wage and hour obligations by issuing a legally compliant employee handbook, they often fail to ensure that their actual wage and hour practices align with all labor code requirements, leaving them exposed to costly employee claims and lawsuits. By periodically having an experienced employment attorney review their practices, employers can identify discrepancies... READ MORE

Your brand is one of your most valuable assets, yet many businesses fail to take the time or invest in trademark and copyright protections—often believing it’s unnecessary or too expensive. The reality? Skipping these steps can cost you far more in the long run. Without legal protection, you could face copycats, brand confusion, legal disputes, or even the loss of your business identity. Trademarks vs. Copyrights: What’s the Difference? Trademarks protect your business name, logo, slogan, or other brand identifiers that distinguish you from competitors. Registering a trademark ensures no one else can use a confusingly similar mark in your... READ MORE

As business attorneys, we see it all too often—contracts that are outdated, unclear, or worse, unenforceable. A contract is meant to protect your business, yet many companies operate with agreements that haven’t been reviewed in years. As we step into 2025, now is the perfect time to give your contracts a fresh look and ensure they’re working for you, not against you. Why Contract Reviews Matter Laws change, business relationships evolve, and what worked a year ago may no longer be in your best interest. In California, new laws taking effect in 2025 could impact employee rights, workplace policies, independent... READ MORE

Effective January 1, 2025, the standard mileage rates for use of a car, van, pickup, or panel truck will be 70 cents per mile, which is an increase of three cents from 2024. Therefore, employers are advised to reimburse employees who use their own personal vehicle for work purposes based on this new IRS rate, as it will be deemed reasonable and sufficient for purposes of reimbursing employees for work-related expenses pursuant to Labor Code section 2802. Alternatively, if employers use some other method for reimbursing their employees for the use of their personal vehicle for work purposes, they must... READ MORE

MARCH 21, 2025 UPDATE Consistent with the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s March 2, 2025 announcement, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) is issuing an interim final rule that removes the requirement for U.S. companies and U.S. persons to report beneficial ownership information (BOI) to FinCEN under the Corporate Transparency Act. What’s Changed?Only foreign companies that register to do business in the U.S. are now required to report BOI.U.S.-formed companies (formerly called "domestic reporting companies") are exempt. What This Means for You:If your business was formed in the U.S., you no longer need to file BOI reports with FinCEN.U.S. persons... READ MORE

Although Prop 32, which would have increased California minimum wage to $17.00 for smaller employers and $18.00 for larger employers narrowly failed to pass earlier this month, California minimum wage for all size employers is set to increase to $16.50 effective January 1, 2025 pursuant to already existing legislation. Additionally, as a result of this change in minimum wage, the minimum salary for exempt employees will increase to $68,640 or $5,720.00 per month. If exempt employees are not paid at least this much, they will not qualify as exempt. Also, note that minimum wage for the City of Los Angeles... READ MORE

Governor Newsom recently signed into law several new California employment laws that come into effect on January 1, 2025. Below are these new laws.  Prohibition of Requiring Employees to Attend a Meeting Where Religious or Political Opinions Are To Be Discussed Under SB 399, the “California Worker Freedom from Employer Intimidation Act” (subject to limited exceptions) prohibits employers from taking or threatening to take adverse action against an employee who declines to attend a meeting or participate in, receive, or listen to its opinion on “religious” or “political” matters, which includes union organizing. Violations are subject to a civil penalty... READ MORE

As the November 5th election approaches, employers are reminded to comply with California’s voting-related laws, including leave and posting requirements. Voting Leave California employers must permit employees up to two hours of paid time off to vote if they don’t have enough time outside work hours to vote. Employers may require employees to give advance notice that they will need such time off for voting. Employers can limit the time off to be taken only at the beginning or end of the employee’s shift, whichever provides the greatest opportunity for voting and minimizes the time away from the regular work... READ MORE

When an employee reports an injury that occurred on the job, it's crucial for employers to respond promptly and correctly. Navigating this process can be complex, particularly with the overlapping requirements of your workers' compensation insurance carrier, various types of leave, and federal and state regulations. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you handle such situations effectively. Immediate Steps to Take Ensure Employee Safety and Medical Attention: First and foremost, ensure that the employee receives appropriate medical care. If the injury is severe, seek emergency medical services immediately. If the injury is less critical, guide the employee to a healthcare... READ MORE

A business website is often the first point of contact between you and your potential customers. But with this powerful tool comes great responsibility—specifically, the obligation to protect your visitors' privacy and ensure your site is accessible to all. If you're a business owner, ensuring that your website complies with privacy laws and digital accessibility standards isn't just a legal requirement—it's also key to building trust with your audience. Privacy Policies: What You Need to Know A privacy policy is a statement that explains how your website collects, uses, and protects the personal information of its visitors. This information can... READ MORE