AI Creates New Conflicts in Intellectual Property Law

It seems like every day there is some new claim about the revolutionizing power of artificial intelligence (AI). How much of this will have a lasting effect remains to be seen, but from a legal standpoint, the intellectual property challenges are already present and pressing, particularly when it comes to copyrights. Copyright law is designed to protect original works of authorship, such as books, music, movies, and Read More

Transparent Corporate Governance Is Necessary at Every Stage

Regardless of a business’ size, fostering scalable and transparent policies serves as a foundation for long-term growth and prosperity. Setting these in place early can help a company expand quickly and successfully by setting clear expectations and goals, promoting trust among all its stakeholders, and establishing a positive reputation that can be used to attract potential investors and partners. What Counts as Read More

Jumping Through Hoops for Accommodations Isn’t Always Sustainable

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) stands firm against discrimination toward employees with disabilities, codifying the obligation to provide reasonable accommodations to those who can carry out the essential functions of their job. What is considered “reasonable” isn’t always clear. Generally, if the accommodation causes the employer “undue hardship,” there needs to be some sort of middle-ground where the Read More

Intellectual Property Protection: Options to Safeguard Your Creations

The marketplace of ideas is becoming increasingly competitive, which means that understanding the basics of leveraging intellectual property (IP) protection is more important than ever. Even if your idea is original and uniquely yours, if you don’t take steps to protect your IP, there’s a chance it could be co-opted by another person, entity, or company before you get a chance to benefit from the fruits of your Read More

Will Using AI Impact Your Liability as an Employer?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the workplace across dozens of industries because it promises to streamline processes, enhance decision-making, and boost productivity. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has concerns, however, about issues with potential bias, especially when AI is deployed during the hiring process. Every business leader who is contemplating the inclusion of AI in Read More

Managing Workplace Interpersonal Conflict

As an employer, it’s important to build a team that works together cohesively to maintain daily operations and improve the bottom line. Certain petty disputes may not seem like they’re urgent enough to get involved in, but it’s essential to proactively address these conflicts to maintain a positive work environment and avoid potential liability. There are many ways for employers to effectively manage employee Read More

When “Disaster” Strikes, Don’t Expect Employees to Come In

Every good business owner works hard to ensure that their employees are doing their jobs under safe conditions. But what about when an emergency situation arises? Is there a way to plan for that? California legislation recently passed Senate Bill 1044 which introduced new employee protections related to emergency conditions. As an employer, it’s important to understand the key elements of SB1044 to stay compliant and Read More

Should I Create an S-Corp or C-Corp in California?

Getting your business started off right starts with selecting the optimal entity structure for your company. Two common options are S-Corporations (S-Corps) and C-Corporations (C-corps). They both have unique characteristics and benefits, especially when evaluated in the context of California’s existing business regulations. Understanding the Basics Both S-Corps and C-Corps are business entities that offer Read More

The Risks of DIY Legal Services For Your Business

Business owners have a natural inclination to bootstrap their way through everything. Running a successful business requires expert-level multi-tasking and management skills. If you’re already running day-to-day operations, handling finances, and managing employees, it doesn’t seem like a huge leap to tackle your business’ legal matters on your own. The rise of do-it-yourself (DIY) legal services has made the Read More

What You Need To Know About the California Family Rights Act

Growing your business enough to hire employees is an exciting time as an entrepreneur. Employees can help optimize the products and expand the services that your company offers. Of course, with that growth and opportunity comes more workplace regulations to manage. The bigger your workforce grows, the more challenging this becomes, but for this post, we will focus on just one key state employment law: job-protected Read More