A recent decision by the California court of appeal in Velarde v. Monroe Operations, LLC set forth the importance for employers to present arbitration agreements to employees in a fair and non-coercive manner.  Although employers can require that employees sign an arbitration agreement as a condition of employment or condition of continuing employment, the manner in which the arbitration agreement is presented to employees is critical to being able to enforce the arbitration agreement once it’s been signed.  Specifically, the Velarde court found on a motion to compel arbitration filed by the employer that the arbitration agreement was procedurally unconscionable,... READ MORE

Effective July 1, 2025, minimum wage will increase as follows: Los Angeles minimum wage will be $17.87 per hour for any employee who works at least two hours per week within Los Angeles including part time and full time and temporary employees. This includes any employees who work remotely from home in Los Angeles. Additionally, employees working in unincorporated Los Angeles County or Santa Monica are entitled to at least $17.81 per hour.  California’s minimum wage remains at $16.50 per hour. If you have any questions regarding the application of these increases in minimum wage, contact our employment attorney Scott Liner... READ MORE

California and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have updated their auto-renewal rules to better protect consumers from so-called “negative option” programs—subscriptions or services that continue until the customer cancels. If your business charges customers on a recurring basis, you need to review your business contracts for these changes. Failure to comply can result in enforcement actions, fines, and reputational damage. Starting July 1, 2025, California’s updated Automatic Renewal Law requires businesses that offer recurring subscriptions online to make cancellation as easy as enrollment—literally a “click-to-cancel” mechanism. This is what you need to know. California Requirements (Effective July 1, 2025) Clear... READ MORE

As AI tools become more accessible and sophisticated, many business owners are asking: Should I use AI to draft my contracts? While AI can be a helpful starting point, it’s not a substitute for legal expertise—especially when your business, liability, and reputation are on the line. What AI Can Do AI can quickly generate contract templates, summarize terms, and flag common issues. This is useful for early-stage planning or identifying basic terms in routine agreements. It’s especially tempting for small businesses looking to cut costs or move quickly. The Risks of AI-Drafted Contracts But here’s the catch: AI doesn’t know... READ MORE

With tariffs and trade tensions dominating headlines, many U.S. businesses—especially those in manufacturing and distribution—are bracing for the financial ripple effects. Sudden shifts in international trade policy or government regulation can upend even the best-laid business plans, increasing costs overnight and throwing contracts into chaos. A recent issue with one of our clients brought this into sharp focus. We’re now advising businesses to proactively update their force majeure clauses to include specific language addressing tariffs, embargoes, and regulatory changes that could render performance commercially impractical or unsustainable. Traditionally, force majeure clauses were designed to excuse performance during unforeseeable events like... READ MORE

As we wrap up Q1, now is the perfect time to take a closer look at your HR practices before heading into the next quarter. At Chase Law Group, we regularly see avoidable HR missteps turn into costly legal problems for businesses—especially in California, where employment laws are constantly evolving. Here are a few key areas to review. Common HR Mistakes That Could Cost You: 1. Misclassifying Employees and Contractors Misclassifying workers can trigger serious penalties. With strict state standards, it’s critical to ensure your 1099 contractors aren’t legally employees. 2. Outdated Employee Handbooks A compliant, updated handbook protects both... READ MORE

Spring isn’t just a time for cleaning—it’s also the perfect time for corporations and LLCs to take care of important annual legal formalities. Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur or manage a growing company, your annual meeting and related documentation are essential to keeping your business compliant and protected. What Is an Annual Meeting? An annual meeting is a formal gathering of a corporation’s shareholders and/or board of directors, or an LLC’s members and managers, to review the company’s performance, approve important decisions, and reappoint leadership if needed. Whether you’re running a single-member LLC or a corporation with a board and... READ MORE

Classifying your workers correctly has never been more important—or more challenging. In California, the distinction between independent contractors and employees continues to evolve, and misclassification can lead to serious legal and financial consequences, including penalties, back pay, and tax liabilities. As we move into 2025, it’s essential for business owners to understand how worker classification is determined and what has changed in the law. Understanding the ABC Test Under California’s AB 5, most workers are presumed to be employees unless the hiring business can satisfy all three parts of the ABC test: A. The worker is free from the control... READ MORE

If you own a business, you may have heard the term “registered agent” but might not fully understand its importance—until it’s too late. A registered agent is a designated person or service responsible for receiving legal documents, lawsuits, subpoenas, and official government notices on behalf of a business.   Why It Matters   Having a reliable registered agent ensures that if your business is sued or subpoenaed, you are promptly notified and can take action. Without one, you risk missing critical legal deadlines, which can lead to default judgments, penalties, or even losing your case without having a chance to defend yourself.  ... READ MORE

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