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As business attorneys, we see it all too often—contracts that are outdated, unclear, or worse, unenforceable.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

Starting August 1, 2024, California employers will be required to monitor indoor heat for workers and take steps to reduce the temperature in the workplace and make accommodations for employees. While this new regulation applies to virtually all companies, employers with workers in restaurants and warehouses should take particular attention to these new requirements. The new law is focused on the risk of health illness to employees.The new rule will generally require employers to cool indoor workplaces that reach or exceed 82 degrees Fahrenheit whenever employees are present. When the indoor temperature reaches 82 degrees, employers must do the following:... READ MORE

After years of attempts by employer groups to repeal or make common sense changes to PAGA (Private Attorneys General Act) laws, on July 1, Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill 2288 and Senate Bill 92 which reflect significant reforms to the Labor Code Private Attorneys General Act of 2004.  The new changes to PAGA give employers a lifeline when it comes to wage and hour exposure by implementing new changes to the law that give employers the ability to avoid and reduce potential exposure under PAGA.  The following sets forth the key changes in the law. 1. What is PAGA (Private... READ MORE

Legal Considerations for Distinguishing Between a Hobby and a Business Understanding whether your side hustle qualifies as a hobby or a business goes beyond just tax implications; it involves significant legal considerations. This distinction affects how you operate, your financial obligations, and potential liabilities. Differentiating Between Hobby and Business The primary distinction between a hobby and a business lies in their objectives. A business is conducted with the intention of making a profit, while a hobby is pursued for personal enjoyment without the intent to generate income as a primary objective. This differentiation is vital because it affects the side... READ MORE

Starting July 1, 2024, California employers must comply with the following changes in the law impacting their employees: 1. Most Employers Must Implement a Workplace Violence Prevention Plan As previously explained in last month’s newsletter, California requires employers, with few exceptions, to implement a Workplace Violence Prevention Plan (WVPP) by July 1, 2024.  Details of the WVPP and how to comply with the new requirements can be reviewed by clicking here.  Should your company need assistance in creating a WVPP, Chase Law Group can assist you. Contact us to get started. 2. Changes in the Division of Workers Compensation New... READ MORE

Since this post was written, there are updates to the status of the requirements. Please refer to the most current post or contact our office for the latest. Contact Chase Law Group at 310-545-7700. As of March 7, 2024 At Chase Law Group, we've had several inquiries with regard to the status of compliance with the Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”) in light of the March 1, 2024 ruling by the federal district court in the Northern District of Alabama in the National Small Business United v. Yellen, No. 5:22-cv-01448 (N.D. Ala.) wherein the court found the CTA to be unconstitutional... READ MORE

It's easy to overlook updating corporate minutes amidst the hustle and bustle of running a small business. However, neglecting this essential responsibility can have significant consequences for the health and success of your company or organization. Corporate minutes serve as a crucial record of key decisions and actions taken during company meetings, and maintaining accurate and up-to-date records can be a game-changer for small businesses. Even for single-owner companies, keeping your corporate minutes updated still remains pivotal. While the process may be less complex, not having multiple stakeholders, it is just as important for maintaining legal clarity and safeguarding the... READ MORE

There are many steps that should be taken before buying a franchise. The most-important is to read the entire Franchise Disclosure Document or “FDD” (that lengthy document that the franchisor provided to you, probably by emailing a .pdf copy to you). If you’re serious about this franchise, you should also have a lawyer who is experienced in franchising review the FDD; there are lots of issues an experienced franchise lawyer can spot that you might miss.  After you have read the FDD, it is very important that you call franchisees (in a small system, you may be able to call... READ MORE