Corporate Transparency Act Resources

Welcome to the Weintraub Resources section. Here, you can find our Blogs, Videos, and Podcasts, in which Weintraub attorneys regularly provide insights and updates on legal developments. You can also find upcoming Weintraub Events, as well as firm and client News.

News Release: Oakland Charter School Wins Reprieve to Remain Open

Published: June 8, 2013

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OAKLAND CHARTER SCHOOL WINS REPRIEVE TO REMAIN OPEN

Oakland, Calif. — Weintraub Tobin Chediak Coleman Grodin Law Corporation, a business law and business litigation firm, is assisting with the representation of American Indian Model Schools (AIMS), which operates three high-performing, nationally-recognized schools in Oakland, in a lawsuit against the Oakland Unified School District regarding the District’s decision to close the three charter schools. Last week, Judge Evilio Grillo granted AIMS’s application for a temporary restraining order and issued a TRO that prevents the embattled schools from being shut down in the near term, resulting in a huge win for AIMS.

After Judge Grillo issued the TRO, James Kachmar, a shareholder in the firm’s labor & employment and litigation group serving as co-counsel for AIMS, said: “We’re ecstatic. This is about the students.” Furthermore, the ruling means that the school can start its summer session on June 20th and plan for its upcoming fall school year, he said.

The lawsuit follows a 4-3 vote by the Oakland school board on March 20th to revoke the charters for AIMS, claiming the school had not done enough to rectify financial issues that were found in a state audit last year. AIMS has also appealed that decision to the Alameda County Office of Education.

The District’s decision meant that the school – with 1,200 students at three Oakland campuses – would likely lose funding at the end of this month and have to close its doors.

AIMS and the District are to return to Judge Grillo’s courtroom on July 8th for a hearing as to whether the TRO should be extended as a preliminary injunction against the District. In the meantime, the Alameda County Board of Education will likely consider AIMS’s appeal of the District’s decision to revoke its charters at its next meeting on June 25th. If it affirms the District’s decision, AIMS will appeal the decision to the California Department of Education.

About Weintraub Tobin Chediak Coleman Grodin Law Corporation

Weintraub Tobin Chediak Coleman Grodin specializes in corporate transactional work, real estate transactional work and business litigation. Recognized nationally for our expertise, the firm has a strong regional presence and experience representing clients throughout California. Our clients range from national institutional entities to regional businesses and individuals with personal legal needs.

We dedicate ourselves to understanding our clients and helping them with their changing business challenges. We are equally committed to supporting the community where we work and live.

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Weintraub Tobin Attorneys Bike 100 Miles for a Cause

Published: June 3, 2013

Four Weintraub Tobin partners, Chris Chediak, Dale Campbell, Kay Brooks and Louis Gonzalez have raised over $16,800 to help the fight against Leukemia, Lymphoma and other blood cancers.

Team Weintraub trained to ride 100 miles around Lake Tahoe in what is known as America’s Most Beautiful Bike Ride on Sunday, June 2nd.

“We all finished strong and enjoyed a beautiful day at Lake Tahoe—from 5:15 a.m. meeting at the starting line, our 6 a.m. departure, through arrivals at the finish line ranging from 12:40 p.m. to 4:30 pm,” says Kay. “It was an exhilarating, worthwhile, fun experience!”

As part of the team’s commitment, Weintraub Tobin contributed $3,000 to the team’s total $16,800 raised by the four bicyclists. Team Weintraub was part of the local corporate group Partners for A Cure that was the #1 corporate fundraiser nationwide, raising $278,000 and counting. All funds go to help find cures and more effective treatment for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma.

To learn more or to make a donation in support of our efforts with Team In Training and help advance the research for cures, visit Weintraub Tobin’s Team-In-Training website.

Four attorneys named “Top Rated Lawyer” in Trust and Estates Law

Published: May 25, 2013

Congratulations to Kay Brooks, Janet Chediak, Ed Corey and Hilary L. Lamar, all of whom have been selected as a 2013 “Top Rated Lawyer” in Trust and Estates Law by the national attorney-ranking service Martindale-Hubbell.

The attorneys received this prestigious honor after receiving an “AV Preeminent” review rating on Martindale-Hubbell from his attorney peers. The AV Preeminent rating is the highest possible rating in legal ability and ethical standards. For this designation, the attorneys are featured in the July 2013 issue of the American Lawyer & Corporate Counsel Magazine.

Kay is certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization as a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law. Kay advises individuals and families on all aspects of estate and tax planning, including family trusts, wills, powers of attorney, health care documents, life insurance trusts, education trusts, charitable giving, business succession planning, gifting programs, and family business entities such as limited liability companies and family limited partnerships.

Janet’s practice focuses on advising clients and foundations on estate tax, income tax, and property tax issues affecting trusts and estates. She also has extensive expertise in sales of real property by fiduciaries and in advising fiduciaries who had real property assets.

Ed’s practice focuses on estate and trust litigation, financial/fiduciary abuse, elder financial abuse, trust administration, probate, and conservatorships. Ed also has extensive trial, arbitration, mediation and appellate experience, and has successfully litigated a number of high profile trust and elder financial abuse cases in Northern California.

Hilary counsels individuals and businesses in all aspects of estate and tax planning, including trusts, wills, and powers of attorney, health care documents, life insurance trusts, education trusts, charitable giving, gifting programs, and family business entities such as limited liability companies and family limited partnerships. She also assists clients with estate and gift tax issues, and probate and trust administration, including advising executors, administrators, and trustees.

Our Trust and Estates attorneys’ foremost priority is to find innovated solutions that meet our clients’ objectives while protecting their interests when controversies arise. By combining careful analysis with the most recent development in tax policies, we also aim to provide our clients with the maximum financial benefits in estate and personal tax planning. Our depth of our experience is unmatched by other firms in California.

Announcing Weintraub’s Trusts and Estates Law Blog

Published: May 23, 2013

Weintraub Tobin is excited to announce the launch of the Trusts and Estates Law Blog. The blog aspires to inform the general public and the professionals in the estate planning community, including fiduciaries, CPAs, and attorneys about:

– Trusts and estates litigation
– Estate planning
– Elder law
– Estate and gift tax
– All of the facets of estate and probate administration

Written by our trusts and estates attorneys, the blog aims to be a reliable resource for trends, news and laws concerning trusts and estates. The blog will keep you up-to-date on issues concerning trusts, wills and all of the topics listed above.

If you would like to subscribe, simply enter your email address at trustsandestateslawblog.com.

WEBINAR: Tips When Hiring and Firing Employees

Published: May 17, 2013

Download: Flyer – WEBINAR. Tips When Hiring and Firing Employees.PDF

Summary of Program

The Labor and Employment Group at Weintraub Tobin Chediak Coleman Grodin is pleased to offer this informative webinar that will discuss recent cases to help business owners, human resource professionals, and managers avoid liability and effectively hire employees as well as carry out disciplines and terminations.

Program Highlights

  • Effective hiring practices.
  • What can you ask during an interview?
  • An employer’s right to discipline employees; is it limited?
  • Effective policies, training and documentation to reduce liability.
  • Beware of “Progressive Discipline”
  • Did the employee quit or was [s]he “constructively terminated?” (What does that mean?)
  • What type of conduct can constitute “retaliation” and under what law?
  • Who is a “whistleblower” and under what law?
  • Can an “at-will” employee be wrongfully terminated?
  • What constitutes “wrongful termination?”

Lunchtime Program

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
HRCI credits available upons successful completion and verification of attendance for duration of webinar.

There is no charge for this webinar

RSVP

Ramona Carrillo
400 Capitol Mall, 11th Fl.
Sacramento, CA 95814
916.558.6046
[email protected]

June 12 Breakfast Meeting – The “Disabled” Employee: What Laws Apply and a Perspective From the EDD

Published: May 16, 2013

Register Now!

June 12 Breakfast Meeting

The “Disabled” Employee: What Laws Apply and a Helpful Perspective From the EDD

As most employers well know, responding to the needs of an injured or ill employee is not always an easy thing to do. Employers often rack their brain over the following questions:

What are the employee’s rights?

  • What are the employer’s obligations?
  • Which laws apply to a given situation? Are they different depending on whether the injury or illness is work related or not? Are they different depending on whether or not the employee has been declared “disabled?”
  • Does a disabled employee have a right to leave or just an accommodation on the job?
  • If the employee does needs time off from work, is it paid or unpaid and how much “disability” leave can they get?
  • What do California’s State Disability Insurance (SDI) and Paid Family Leave (PFL) programs provide to employees who need time off from work?
  • What obligations does the employer have to assist employees in obtaining SDI and/or PFL benefits?
  • What can the EDD do to help an employer and an employee understand the SDI/PFL claim process?

YOU’VE GOT QUESTIONS – WE’VE GOT ANSWERS:

Please join SEAC for its June Breakfast Meeting on June 12, 2013 where an experienced employment attorney and a specialized EDD representative will discuss these important issues and provide helpful tips on how best to administer this somewhat difficult area of employment law.

Register today!

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

8:00 – 8:30 am – Registration, Networking & Continental Breakfast

8:30 – 10:00 am – Meeting

Location:

Weintraub Tobin Chediak Coleman Grodin Law Corporation
400 Capitol Mall, 11th Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814

2 hours of free parking – Bring your ticket stub to the meeting for validation.

Payment Details:

 

Members: $30.00 in advance (By June 10)/$35.00 at the door

 

Non-Members: $45.00 in advance (By June 10)/$55.00 at the door

 

The Speakers:

Lizbeth (‘Beth’) V. West

Weintraub Tobin Chediak Coleman Grodin Law Corporation
EDD Representative (TBA)

Speaker Backgrounds:

Beth is a Shareholder in the firm’s Labor and Employment, Appeals and Writs, and Litigation groups. She is admitted to practice law in the states of California and Washington.

Beth assists employers in all aspects of their employment relationship with their employees and defends employers in employment disputes. Her practice focuses on counseling and training employers and management staff on matters such as hiring, performance problems, disciplinary actions, privacy, terminations, lay-offs, employment policies and contracts, protection of trade secrets, wage and hour laws, leave laws, prevention of discrimination, harassment and retaliation, and compliance with other state and federal employment laws. Beth also conducts workplace investigations for both public and private employers.

In addition to her counseling practice, Beth has extensive experience defending employers in various forms of employment-related litigation in state and federal court, and in administrative actions before a number of state and federal agencies.

EDD Representative (TBA)

**Cancellation/No Show: Reservations cancelled less than 72 hrs in advance and/or no show will be billed the entire amount.
Beth is a Shareholder in the firm’s Labor and Employment, Appeals and Writs, and Litigation groups. She is admitted to practice law in the states of California and Washington.

Beth assists employers in all aspects of their employment relationship with their employees and defends employers in employment disputes. Her practice focuses on counseling and training employers and management staff on matters such as hiring, performance problems, disciplinary actions, privacy, terminations, lay-offs, employment policies and contracts, protection of trade secrets, wage and hour laws, leave laws, prevention of discrimination, harassment and retaliation, and compliance with other state and federal employment laws. Beth also conducts workplace investigations for both public and private employers.

In addition to her counseling practice, Beth has extensive experience defending employers in various forms of employment-related litigation in state and federal court, and in administrative actions before a number of state and federal agencies.

EDD Representative (TBA)

**Cancellation/No Show: Reservations cancelled less than 72 hrs in advance and/or no show will be billed the entire amount.

Beth is a Shareholder in the firm’s Labor and Employment, Appeals and Writs, and Litigation groups. She is admitted to practice law in the states of California and Washington.

Beth assists employers in all aspects of their employment relationship with their employees and defends employers in employment disputes. Her practice focuses on counseling and training employers and management staff on matters such as hiring, performance problems, disciplinary actions, privacy, terminations, lay-offs, employment policies and contracts, protection of trade secrets, wage and hour laws, leave laws, prevention of discrimination, harassment and retaliation, and compliance with other state and federal employment laws. Beth also conducts workplace investigations for both public and private employers.

In addition to her counseling practice, Beth has extensive experience defending employers in various forms of employment-related litigation in state and federal court, and in administrative actions before a number of state and federal agencies.

EDD Representative (TBA)

**Cancellation/No Show: Reservations cancelled less than 72 hrs in advance and/or no show will be billed the entire amount.

REGISTER HERE

Second Session Added for L&E Health Care Reform Seminar

Published: May 16, 2013

Due to overwhelming demand, a second session of the Health Care Reform seminar has been scheduled for 5/22/13 from 12:00-2:00 pm. Additional seats are available for the second session only. If you would like to register for this seminar, please RSVP to Ramona Carrillo at [email protected].

Presented by The Labor & Employment Group at Weintraub Tobin and Vincent Catalano of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., Inc.

Summary of Program

The Supreme Court has spoken and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“PPACA”) is here to stay. It is now critical that employers of all sizes learn how the PPACA may impact their workplace. Join Weintraub Tobin, and special guest speaker, Vincent Catalano, MBA, Area Vice President/Employee Benefits Consultant from Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., Inc., for this very timely and informative panel discussion about how employers can navigate the complexities of, and comply with, the PPACA.

Program Highlights

  • Determining who is a covered employer under the PPACA.
  • “Pay or Play” mandates – the details of what employers must do.
  • A discussion of available tax credits.
  • Understanding the consequences of non-compliance: penalties, penalties, penalties.
  • What the California Exchange “Covered California” is and what it means for employers.
  • Benefits of PPACA including coverage of dependents to age 26, women’s health enhancements and preventative care and other patient protections.
  • Strategies the proactive employer can take.

Location
Weintraub Tobin
400 Capitol Mall, 11th Fl.
Sacramento, CA 95814
Parking validation provided. Please park in the Wells Fargo parking garage, entrances on 4th and 5th St.

Seminar Program
Noon – 2 p.m. – Seminar
Approved for 2 hours MCLE credit; HRCI
credits available upon request.
There is no charge for this seminar.

Weintraub Supports Make-a-Wish

Published: May 14, 2013

Weintraub Tobin is making a difference in the lives of children and their families in the Sacramento region and beyond.

Through Chris Chediak’s involvement with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Weintraub Tobin sponsored the wish of Noah, a 12-year-old boy with Leukemia, whose wish was to travel to New York City with his family. In June, Noah flew to New York, attended a Broadway play and a Yankees game, and took in the sights and sounds of the “City That Never Sleeps.”

Weintraub Tobin honored Noah in the following ways:

Sacramento River Cats Game, Saturday, April 20th, 7:00 p.m., Raley Field

Noah was named the “Walk Ambassador” for Make-A-Wish’s Walk for Wishes in May. As a kick off to the walk, Noah threw out the first pitch (with a little help from Chris Chediak) at the River Cats game on Saturday, April 20th. Noah was alongside Zoe, a 7-year-old survivor of Leukemia, who had her wish of being a princess for a day, be granted last year with help from Weintraub Tobin.

Walk for Wishes, Saturday, May 18th, 9 a.m., Raley Field

Weintraub Tobin walked alongside Noah (and cheer him on!) during this 5k Walk at Raley Field.

A Note on Noah:

Like most 12-year-old boys, Noah loves video games and watching his favorite sports teams, particularly the NY Yankees and the SF Giants. He also enjoys hiking, fishing, traveling, and learning about new places. What’s not typical is what he has had to face since he was diagnosed with Leukemia when he was nine. So when Make-A-Wish® asked him what his one true wish would be, he quickly said he wanted to go to New York City.

Noah has been fascinated with New York as far back as his Mom Amy can remember. Noah will have his wish granted to go to New York this June. His mom says he has been so excited ever since he learned his wish was going to be granted. “The whole Make-A-Wish experience has been fantastic. It has really given us something to look forward to as a family.”

Visit the Make-A-Wish website here for upcoming Walk for Wishes.