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Recent Fires Serve as Reminder That Casualty Will Always be a Hot Issue

Published: October 11, 2021

by Mark E. Ellinghouse
Real Estate Legal Updates

Fires have played a major role in the history of California. Not only have these disasters repeatedly left a trail of devastation through the State’s forests and other natural areas, but recent fires have been noteworthy in their damage to developed areas such as Paradise and South Lake Tahoe. The impacts will be felt for years, as families struggle to rebuild their homes and charred trees litter freeways and hiking trails. These effects are a good reminder to make disaster plans, including identifying key heirlooms and records and reviewing insurance policies for adequacy and comprehensiveness.

Legislative Update: Cal/OSHA’s Citation Authority Expanded

Published: October 7, 2021

by Meagan D. Bainbridge
The Labor & Employment Law Blog

On September 27, 2021, Governor Newsom signed SB 606, which creates two new categories of Cal/OSHA violations: “enterprise-wide” violations and “egregious” violations. The new law expands Cal/OSHA’s citation authority and could have the effect of greatly increasing the fines employers (especially those large employers with multiple worksites) might be subject to. The new law will go into effect on January 1, 2022.

Written Description Remains Critical to Patents

Published: October 7, 2021

by Audrey A. Millemann
The IP Law Blog

There are many requirements for obtaining a patent.  One of those is the written description requirement.  Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §112(a), the patent must describe the invention in writing.  If the written description requirement is not met, the patent won’t be granted.  If the patent has already been issued, it can be invalidated for failure to satisfy the written description requirement.  Recently, in Juno Therapeutics, Inc. v. Kite Pharma, Inc., 2021 U.S. App. LexIs 25706 (Fed. Cir. 2021), a damage award of $1.2 billion for patent infringement was reversed for just this reason.

Legislative Update: Parents-in-Law Now Covered under the CFRA

Published: October 6, 2021

by Meagan D. Bainbridge
The Labor & Employment Law Blog

As many will recall, the California Family Rights Act (“CFRA”) was significantly expanded last year. The CFRA requires most employers grant eligible employees up to 12 weeks of job-protected time off. On September 27, 2021, Governor Newsom signed AB 1033, which provides that leave must now be granted to eligible employees for the purposes of providing care to a parent-in-law with a serious medical condition.

Governor Gavin Newsom Signs Sweeping Conservatorship Reform Bill

Published: October 6, 2021

by Carlena L. Tapella
Trusts & Estates Legal Updates

On September 30, 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom signed California AB 1194 amending numerous statutes pertaining to conservatorships.  The following are highlights:

Internet Posting of Fees of Licensed Professional Fiduciary:  On or before January 1, 2023, an individual licensed as a professional fiduciary (LPF) by the State of California, and who has an internet website, is required to post on their website a schedule or range of the LPF’s fees, including, but not limited to, the LPF’s hourly rate for services rendered.

Legislative Update: Intentional Wage Theft Could Result in Criminal Liability

Published: October 5, 2021

by Meagan D. Bainbridge
The Labor & Employment Law Blog

On September 27, 2021, Governor Newsom signed AB 1003 into law. AB 1003 adds a new type of grand theft to Penal Code section 487m for an employer’s intentional theft of wages in an amount greater than $950 (from any one employee), or $2,350 (from two or more employees) in a 12-month period. Violations of this new law also carry a potential prison sentence of up to three years. AB 1003 further allows for the recovery of wages through a civil action.

Legislative Update: Don’t Toss those Personnel Records Just Yet

Published: October 4, 2021

by Meagan D. Bainbridge
The Labor & Employment Law Blog

It’s October, and that means the 2020-2021 California legislative session has officially ended, and Governor Newsom has signed many new bills into law. As always, several of these new laws affect employers across the state. Over the next several days/weeks, our employment group will ensure that employers are informed and ready to implement the new laws as 2022 approaches.

Los Angeles Clippers and Intuit Enter into 23-Year Naming Rights Agreement and Name the New Arena in Inglewood Intuit Dome

Published: September 23, 2021

The Los Angeles Clippers and Intuit have entered into a 23-year naming rights agreement whereby the Clippers have agreed to name their new $1.8 billion arena in Inglewood, California, the Intuit Dome. The arena is currently under construction just south of the new SoFi Stadium and the Hollywood Park development. It is scheduled to open in 2024.