In California, the "Ban the Box" law marks a pivotal change in hiring practices, particularly regarding the rights of employees with a history in the legal system. This law, part of a wider movement across the United States, aims to eliminate the checkbox on job applications that inquires about criminal records. Its purpose is to reduce discrimination against individuals with previous convictions, offering them a Read More

The role of general counsel in businesses has evolved significantly over time. Initially focused mainly on legal compliance and risk mitigation, general counsel today is much more involved in the broader aspects of business strategy. This shift is in response to the evolving business and regulatory environment, requiring general counsel to be not only legal advisors but also strategic partners, risk managers, and Read More

When there’s an uncertain economic climate, companies face a surge in legal challenges that require not just legal representation, but excellent litigation skills. Every legal situation will require skillful strategizing, which means that not every attorney will be the right person for the case. A litigator brings a unique set of skills to the table, differing from general attorneys in several key aspects. For Read More

The dilemma surrounding the provision of work tools or compensating employees for using their own tools is a significant challenge for employers, particularly in California. This issue not only has financial implications but also requires strict adherence to labor laws. California's unique labor regulations are designed to protect employee rights and ensure fair compensation, but often leave employers left to sift Read More

Recently, the federal government has made some changes to the employee verification process. These include modifications to Form I-9 and a new e-verification system that is set to roll out next year. Here is a summary of these recent changes. What Is Form I-9? Form I-9 is the employment eligibility verification form put forth by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services agency (USCIS). Employers Read More

The Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) is a California labor law that enables employees to act on behalf of the state in order to enforce labor code violations. Under PAGA, employees can seek civil penalties on behalf of themselves and others for a wide range of labor law infractions, such as wage and hour violations. Intended to level the playing field by giving rank-and-file employees the ability to seek Read More

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

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

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

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