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Published: February 26, 2026
by
Talia L. Delanoy
The Labor & Employment Law Blog
Although allowing a budding chef to “stage” in a restaurant is a long-standing tradition, using an unpaid stage in California is recipe for a wage-and-hour claim. In this article we explore how even a short shift creates long exposure for California restauranteurs.
Published: February 12, 2026
by
Uri Grant
Trusts & Estates Legal Updates
Being named a trustee in California is an honor that carries serious legal responsibilities because your actions determine whether families experience smooth trust administration or costly litigation. Understanding your fiduciary duties under California’s Probate Code isn’t optional: failure to comply can result in personal liability, removal from your position, and an obligation to reimburse the trust for losses you caused.
Here is a guideline of the essential trustee duties every California fiduciary must know to understand trustee responsibilities, administer an estate with confidence, and avoid the mistakes that lead to costly beneficiary disputes and legal action.
Published: February 5, 2026
by
Mark E. Ellinghouse
Real Estate Legal Updates
In the balance of power between landlords and tenants, the risk of default is usually higher for the tenant. While many landlords have accrued wealth and invested in low-risk assets, many tenants are embarking on a new business venture with the hopes of starting the next billion-dollar enterprise. Conventional wisdom holds that 9 out of every 10 of these ventures will fail. Commercial leases reflect this imbalance, providing a laundry-list of protections for the landlord to address a potential tenant default without giving as much attention to the risk of a landlord default.
Published: January 30, 2026
by
Jeffrey Pietsch
The IP Law Blog
The Most Overlooked Mistake That Can Kill Your Company Before It Starts
Most founders assume their company owns what it builds. It doesn’t, at least not automatically.
Under U.S. law, the person who creates intellectual property owns it unless they’ve assigned it in writing. That means your company may not own its core code, designs, or brand even if you paid for them.
I’ve seen financings delayed, acquisitions fall apart, and founders lose control of their own products because they never secured clear IP ownership. It’s the single most common, and most avoidable, legal mistake in early-stage companies.
Published: January 30, 2026
by
Talia L. Delanoy
The Labor & Employment Law Blog
The One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 (OBBBA) was signed into law on July 4, 2025. While its reach is broad, this article covers new employer tax reporting obligations. Under the OBBBA, employers must separately report qualified overtime compensation on employees’ Form W-2 and must report qualified tips and occupation codes for employees that customarily and regularly receive tips as of December 31, 2024. This information may be used by employees to claim a new federal income tax deduction on their individual returns.
Published: January 26, 2026
by
Jacqueline M. Simonovich
The Labor & Employment Law Blog
On December 11, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order, “Ensuring a National Policy Framework for Artificial Intelligence” (“EO”), designed to “remove barriers to United States AI leadership” so that “AI companies [are] free to innovate without cumbersome regulation.” The EO expressly states that it is aimed at preempting “excessive state regulation.” So what does this EO mean for California employers?
Published: January 22, 2026
by
Scott M. Hervey
The IP Law Blog
The year 2025 left the media and entertainment industry with a series of significant, unresolved legal questions. As we move into 2026, several high-profile cases are poised to redefine the boundaries of fair use, the legality of AI training, and the application of the Rogers Test in trademark law.
Published: January 8, 2026
by
Lizbeth (Beth) V. West
The Labor & Employment Law Blog
Pursuant to Senate Bill 294 which went into effect January 1, 2026 and added a new Part 5.6 to the California Labor Code (sections 1550 – 1559), the California Department of Industrial Relations (“DIR” aka “Labor Commissioner”) has issued the anticipated “California Workplace – Know Your Rights” Notice (“Notice”).
Published: November 24, 2025
California has enacted two significant reforms that will reshape private construction contracts starting January 1, 2026. These changes impact change-order payment procedures and retention limits, creating new compliance obligations for owners, contractors, and subcontractors. Please see below for a breakdown of everything you need to know before SB 440 and SB 61 take effect.
Published: November 18, 2025
by
Lizbeth (Beth) V. West
The Labor & Employment Law Blog
On October 13, 2025 Governor Newsom signed into law Assembly Bill (“AB”) 692 which is another law allegedly aimed at preventing contracts deemed to be a restraint on trade. Employers should be aware of the new law as it could significantly impact their ability to enter into, and/or enforce, certain contracts with employees for the repayment of a debt.