All Categories Uncategorized Immigration Litigation State Bar Business Media & First Amendment Landlord & Tenant Labor & Employment Personal Injury Real Estate Construction News Business Transactions Writs & Appeals Lawyers and Attorneys Bankruptcy Tax Environmental Mediation Trust & EstateJanuary 3, 2022Bad Faith Trade Secret Misappropriation Claims May Leave You on the Hook for Attorney’s Feesby Michael J. MellgrenRead MoreMay 11, 2021LIS PENDENS (“A SUIT PENDING”) AND THE PERILS OF NOT MEETING THE “REAL PROPERTY CLAIM” REQUIREMENTby Marie E. WoodRead MoreMay 11, 2021Shhh…Quiet, Title! When “Ancient” Mortgages or Deeds of Trust Come Back to Haunt Youby Kiki Manti EngelRead MoreApril 21, 2021GIVE ME MY STUFF BACK! – HAS A CREDITOR VIOLATED THE AUTOMATIC STAY BY REFUSING TO RETURN YOUR PROPERTY AFTER YOU FILED FOR BANKRUPTCY?by Michael J. MellgrenRead MoreApril 20, 2021COMPLIANCE WITH IMMIGRATION LAWS IS NOT JUST FOR THOSE EMPLOYERS HIRING FOREIGN EMPLOYEESby Marie E. WoodRead MoreApril 12, 2021More Support for Policyholders Seeking Coverage for Pandemic Lossesby Michael G. KerbsRead MoreApril 5, 2021My Commercial Tenant Won’t Pay Their Rent! Can I Evict Them?by Kiki Manti EngelRead MoreMarch 26, 2021EMPLOYERS MUST BE CAREFUL WHEN ROUNDING EMPLOYEE TIME PUNCHESby Douglas A. PlazakRead MoreFebruary 11, 2021LOCAL PRE-TRIAL RULE 3401 AND THE LESSONS OF REALES INVESTMENT V. JOHNSON (2020) 55 CAL.APP.5TH 463by Marie E. WoodRead MoreJanuary 13, 2021A TREE GROWS IN BIG BEAR: LEGAL ISSUES RELATING TO A TREE THAT SITS ON THE BOUNDARY OF TWO OR MORE ADJOINING PROPERTIESby Michael G. KerbsRead MoreJanuary 13, 2021WHAT IS THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS FOR SUING ON A PROMISSORY NOTE SECURED BY A DEED OF TRUST TO REAL PROPERTY?by Daniel E. KatzRead MoreDecember 17, 2020EMPLOYERS SHOULD REQUIRE MINOR EMPLOYEES TO EXECUTE NEW EMPLOYMENT-RELATED AGREEMENTS UPON TURNING EIGHTEENby Douglas A. PlazakRead MoreDecember 11, 2020THE INCONSPICUOUS FROG CASE – ARBITRATION, DUE PROCESS, AND ATTORNEY’S FEES AND COSTSby Michael J. MellgrenRead MoreNovember 13, 2020Code of Civil Procedure § 2016.090: The State Court’s Equivalent of FRCP Rule 26 Initial Disclosures?by Marie E. WoodRead MoreNovember 13, 2020MECHANIC’S LIEN LITIGATION PRIVILEGE ABSOLUTEby Michael G. KerbsRead MoreApril 8, 2020Court Closures cause Judicial Council of California to Amend the California Rules of Courtby Kiki Manti EngelRead MoreMarch 24, 2020Business Interruption Insurance Claims- The Next Wave of Anticipated Litigationby Michael G. KerbsRead MoreJuly 6, 2017EMPLOYEE NOT ENTITLED TO TAKE BACK RESIGNATIONby Nancy BrownRead MoreApril 25, 2017Nonexempt Salaried Employees Entitled to Overtime and May Recover Damages Without Proof of Hours Workedby Alex PayneRead MoreMarch 22, 2017Jevic Supreme Court Opinion Declares Priority Skipping Bankruptcy Settlements to be Unlawful, Casting Doubt on Priority-Skipping Bankruptcy Surcharge Under 11 U.S.C. 506(c)by Scott TalkovRead MoreFebruary 3, 2017Defense and indemnity provisions in construction agreements often misunderstood to the detriment of subcontractors.by Alex PayneRead MoreFebruary 2, 2017THE JANUARY 25, 2017 IMMIGRATION EXECUTIVE ORDERS: HOW DO THEY IMPACT YOU?by Marie E. WoodRead MoreFebruary 2, 2017LAS ÓRDENES EJECUTIVAS DE INMIGRACIÓN DEL 25 DE ENERO DEL 2017: ¿CÓMO LO IMPACTAN A USTED?by Marie E. WoodRead MoreAugust 15, 2016Being “Offended” as an Impediment to Settlementby James J. Manning Jr.Read MoreAugust 10, 2016UPDATE WRITTEN POLICIES TO COMPLY WITH NEW FEHA REGULATIONS REGARDING HARASSMENT AND DISCRIMINATIONby Douglas A. PlazakRead MoreJuly 5, 2016Corrective Deed of Trust in California- Is It Enforceable?by Scott TalkovRead MoreJune 17, 2016Employee Cell Phone Usage May be Reimbursable – Cochran v. Schwanby Douglas A. PlazakRead MoreMarch 22, 2016Rights of Rescission on Contract Entered Into With a Corporation That is Suspendedby Michael G. KerbsRead MoreMarch 4, 2016Beware of Inadvertent Judicial Admissions, Plaintiff’s Allegation Deemed a Judicial Admissionby James J. Manning Jr.Read MoreMarch 3, 2016The Americans With Disabilities Act – Protecting Yourself From Unknown Violationsby Daniel E. KatzRead MoreMarch 3, 2016Amount of Contractor’s Licensing Bond Increasedby Nancy BrownRead MoreFebruary 12, 2016Employers Must Wait Until After An Offer of Employment Has Been Extended Before Verifying Residency Under the E-Verify Systemby Michael G. KerbsRead MoreJanuary 27, 2016Confidentiality Clauses in Settlement Agreementsby James J. Manning Jr.Read MoreJanuary 18, 2016All Employers Should Adopt A Written Policy to Address Questions About Formerby Michael G. KerbsRead MoreDecember 23, 2015Code of Civil Procedure § 430.41 – SB 383 Limits Demurrers in Californiaby Scott TalkovRead MoreDecember 18, 2015California Code of Civil Procedure § 1030 Motion Explainedby Christopher JohnsonRead MoreDecember 17, 2015Property Taxes: Falling Values Whither Due Process?by James J. Manning Jr.Read MoreDecember 15, 2015New California Minimum Wage Effects More than Just Entry-level Employeesby Douglas A. PlazakRead MoreDecember 11, 2015The Potential Impact of Individual Liability Under the Fair Day’s Pay Actby Michael G. KerbsRead MoreNovember 4, 2015Right to Partition is Absoluteby Scott TalkovRead MoreMay 18, 2015Partition Attorney’s Fees Against an Uncooperative Co-Tenantby Scott TalkovRead MoreFebruary 25, 2015Proceed Carefully with Malicious Prosecution Actions Arising out of Familyby Douglas A. PlazakRead MoreFebruary 19, 2015Proper Venue to File California Lawsuitby James J. Manning Jr.Read MoreFebruary 11, 2015When is a Lis Pendens effective? When it’s indexed!by James J. Manning Jr.Read MoreFebruary 2, 2015Prop. 8 Mandates Annual Reassessments, Are California Assessors Ignoring The Law?by James J. Manning Jr.Read MoreJanuary 26, 2015Should Lawyers “force” their clients to mediate?by James J. Manning Jr.Read MoreJanuary 15, 2015Escrows Can Be Negligent, Even While Following Escrow Instructionsby Scott TalkovRead MoreOctober 11, 2014Warning: Email Wire Instruction Fraud Scam Hitting Real Estate Industryby Scott TalkovRead MoreAugust 4, 2014Taxing Scandals: The Blog that Looks at Tax Consequences of the Latest Tabloid Scandals – Donald Sterling and His Silent Partnersby Pietro E. CanestrelliRead MoreJuly 28, 2014Mortgage Shotgunning and the Priority of Trust Deedsby Scott TalkovRead MoreJuly 9, 2014Employer Class Action Certificationby Douglas A. PlazakRead MoreMay 6, 2014Employees Training/Education Cost Repayment Contractsby Douglas A. PlazakRead MoreMarch 6, 2014Protecting Trade Secrets From Use by Former Employeesby Michael G. KerbsRead MoreFebruary 28, 2014What Is An Integration Clause – And Why Should I Care?by Steven G. LeeRead MoreFebruary 5, 2014Contractual Arbitration Provisions Under California Lawby Daniel E. KatzRead MoreJanuary 30, 2014Ninth Circuit Appellate Jurisdictionby Scott TalkovRead MoreJanuary 29, 2014Government Code Sections 6000 and 6008 – Newspapers of General Circulationby Scott TalkovRead MoreJanuary 6, 2014Compelling Nonsignatories To Arbitration – Boucher v. Alliance Titleby Douglas A. PlazakRead MoreDecember 30, 2013A Writ of Attachment May Increase Your Chance To Collect Damagesby Douglas A. PlazakRead MoreDecember 10, 2013Michaelis v. Benavides – The Corporate Shield as a Sieve – Limited liability – Who knew?by James J. Manning Jr.Read MoreNovember 26, 2013SB 1186 – California Disability Law Provides Minimal Help to Businesses (ADA)by Scott TalkovRead MoreNovember 26, 2013Employers Beware – Potential Liability for Serving Alcohol at Holiday Partiesby Michael G. KerbsRead MoreOctober 15, 2013Calemine v. Samuelson- Duty to Disclose Prior Construction Defect Lawsuitsby Steven G. LeeRead MoreOctober 7, 2013Mortgage Shotgunning: Indexing and the Priority of Trust Deedsby Scott TalkovRead MoreAugust 8, 2013U.S. Supreme Court Delivers Body-Blow To Employee Class Action Litigationby Douglas A. PlazakRead MoreFebruary 8, 2013The Tax Cost of Litigation Part Iby Pietro E. CanestrelliRead MoreFebruary 4, 2013Citing Unpublished Opinions: The Conflict Between the No-Citation Rule and Judicial Noticeby Scott TalkovRead MoreJanuary 11, 2013Tax Issues in Identity Theftby Pietro E. CanestrelliRead MoreDecember 18, 2012The Perils of Acting as an “Owner-Builder”by Steven G. LeeRead MoreNovember 27, 2012Dog Beaten With Bat by Neighbor; Owner Recovers Emotional Distress Damagesby Michael G. KerbsRead MoreNovember 21, 2012California Courts Narrowly Construe Covenants Not to Competeby Douglas A. PlazakRead MoreNovember 19, 2012Circumventing Workers Compensation Preemptionby James J. Manning Jr.Read MoreNovember 2, 2012Hiring a Contractor? Make Sure the Contractor Is Insured!by Daniel E. KatzRead MoreSeptember 25, 2012Arbitrator Disclosures Give Rise To Litigationby James J. Manning Jr.Read MoreSeptember 5, 2012Modified Seller Held Note Subject to Anti-Deficiency Statutesby Kenneth C. KocourekRead MoreAugust 21, 2012Lawyer Seeks White House Honey Ale Recipe via Freedom of Information Act Requestby Nancy BrownRead MoreAugust 21, 2012Corporations Take Risks by Bringing E-discovery In-Houseby James J. Manning Jr.Read MoreAugust 13, 2012Sending a Debt Collection Letter to Debtor’s Place of Employment May Violate the Fair Debt Collection Practices Actby James J. Manning Jr.Read MoreAugust 10, 2012Corporate Officer Liability for Failure to Superviseby James J. Manning Jr.Read MoreAugust 9, 2012Salas v. Sierra Chemical Co. – Undocumented Workers May Be Precluded From Bringing Claims Against Employersby Douglas A. PlazakRead MoreAugust 7, 2012Commercial Lease Recapture Provision May Terminate Assignor Liabilityby Scott TalkovRead MoreAugust 6, 2012The Property Information Sheet: A Trap for the Unwary Real Estate Brokerby James J. Manning Jr.Read MoreJuly 9, 2012Jury Fees Must Be Posted Before Case Management Conference Under New California Lawby Scott TalkovRead MoreMay 21, 2012JURORS GONE WILD! Emotions Run Amok?by James J. Manning Jr.Read MoreMay 15, 2012Tired of Residential Tenants Smoking in Your Rentals? Civil Code Section 1947.5by Steven G. LeeRead MoreMay 14, 2012CEQA Hits Home – Berkeley Hillside Preservation v. City of Berkeleyby Daniel E. KatzRead MoreApril 30, 2012Freedom to Choose Your Roommate: Fair Housing Council of San Fernando Valley v. Roommate.comby Michael G. KerbsRead MoreApril 11, 2012Medical Marijuana Collectives v. Local Governments: California Supreme Court Cases Predicted to Change Legal Landscapeby Scott TalkovRead MoreMarch 27, 2012What You Should Not Do When Trying To Collect On A Debtby Steven G. LeeRead MoreMarch 26, 2012Email Disclaimers: Legal Effect in American Courtsby Scott TalkovRead MoreMarch 6, 2012Toyota Motor Corporation v. Superior Court – Corporate Person Most Qualified / Knowledgeable Depositionsby Douglas A. PlazakRead MoreFebruary 29, 2012The Uncertainty of Litigationby Douglas A. PlazakRead MoreFebruary 6, 2012Why is it Legal Malpractice?by James J. Manning Jr.Read MoreFebruary 3, 2012Some are Slow Learnersby James J. Manning Jr.Read MoreJanuary 13, 2012Employers Beware – Provision in Employment Agreement Requiring Binding Arbitration May Be Unenforceableby Michael G. KerbsRead MoreJanuary 4, 2012Check Marked “Paid in Full”: To Cash or Not to Cash?by Steven G. LeeRead MoreDecember 28, 2011California Mechanic’s Liens and Bankruptcyby James J. Manning Jr.Read MoreDecember 13, 2011The Value of a Lawyer’s Reputationby Scott TalkovRead MoreDecember 12, 2011Is It Possible To Obtain A Prescriptive Easement Over An Existing Easement?by Steven G. LeeRead MoreDecember 8, 2011Not All Arbitration Clauses Are Enforceableby Michael G. KerbsRead MoreNovember 21, 2011Attorneys Who Enter Business Agreements with Friends Should Use the Same Standards as Business Agreements with Clientsby Kenneth C. KocourekRead MoreNovember 16, 2011A Lender Owes No Duty to a Borrower to Disclose an Intent to Defraud the Borrowerby Michael G. KerbsRead MoreNovember 14, 2011Finally, A Victory For The “Imperfect” Homeowner!by Steven G. LeeRead MoreNovember 8, 2011Warning to Contractors and Material Suppliers: Your Workers’ Smoking May Be Hazardous to Your Wealthby Kenneth C. KocourekRead MoreNovember 7, 2011Fired Employee’s Lawsuit Dismissed After Employer Discovers Fake Social Security No.by Nancy BrownRead MoreNovember 7, 2011Oops! Foreclosing Trustee Has to Eat Errorby James J. Manning Jr.Read MoreOctober 19, 2011Developers May Be Liable to Homeowners for Marketing to Sub-prime Buyersby Steven G. LeeRead MoreOctober 13, 2011What is the Legal Value of a Cat?by Michael G. KerbsRead MoreOctober 10, 2011Dishonest Notaries Can Escape Civil Liability After 6 Yearsby Kenneth C. KocourekRead MoreOctober 4, 2011Landlord Responsibilities to Neighboring Properties for Problem Tenantsby Daniel E. KatzRead MoreOctober 3, 2011HOA Fees are Non-Dischargeable in Bankruptcyby Mark C. SchnitzerRead MoreSeptember 22, 2011Unlicensed Contractors Can Agree to Binding Arbitrationby Steven G. LeeRead MoreSeptember 20, 2011Law Clerk Claims Not to be a “Professional,” Loses Appealby Douglas A. PlazakRead MoreSeptember 15, 2011Vacation Time Disguised as a “Sabbatical” May Require Employee Compensation Upon Terminationby Michael G. KerbsRead MoreSeptember 12, 2011Jumbled Document Production Equals $74,809 In Sanctionsby James J. Manning Jr.Read MoreAugust 25, 2011How to Collect a Debtby Steven G. LeeRead MoreAugust 18, 2011Statements About Candidates at Homeowner Association Meetings are Privileged – Cabrera v. Alamby Michael G. KerbsRead MoreAugust 17, 2011Buy-Sell Agreements: An Introduction – Part Iby Erik K. DoddRead MoreAugust 16, 2011Fee Disputes Between Lawyers and Their Clients: Deadbeat Clients Beat Back Against Their Lawyersby James J. Manning Jr.Read MoreAugust 9, 2011A Judicial Foreclosure Sale Tale: Training for Deputiesby Kenneth C. KocourekRead MoreAugust 8, 2011Trees Saved From Slaughter!by James J. Manning Jr.Read MoreAugust 4, 2011Government Geographic Information Systems are Not a Freely Available “Public Record”by Scott TalkovRead MoreJuly 26, 2011Innocent Spouse Relief Extended by IRSby Pietro E. CanestrelliRead MoreJuly 13, 2011When Is a Deposit Not a Deposit? When it is in Conjunction with the Purchase of Propertyby Daniel E. KatzRead MoreJuly 6, 2011Sole Shareholder of Corporation Is Not Liable for Employment Discrimination in the Absence of Alter Ego Liabilityby Michael G. KerbsRead MoreJune 21, 2011Disobeying Motion In Limine is Attorney Misconductby David G. MooreRead MoreJune 15, 2011Anti-Retaliation Statute Applies Both to Written and Oral Complaintsby Michael G. KerbsRead MoreJune 12, 2011California Public Records Act Applies to Bar Admission Documents – Sander v. State Bar of Californiaby James J. Manning Jr.Read MoreJune 9, 2011Should I Provide My Zip Code To Retailers Who Ask?by Steven G. LeeRead MoreJune 7, 2011Union’s Personal Attacks on Managers Have Limitsby James J. Manning Jr.Read MoreJune 6, 2011Will Questions About 998 Offers Ever Cease?by Kenneth C. KocourekRead MoreMay 26, 2011Do I Have to Pay my Disbarred Lawyer?by Kenneth C. KocourekRead MoreMay 13, 2011Pension Benefits of Public Retirees Not Privateby James J. Manning Jr.Read MoreMay 13, 2011Trees May Be a “Spite Fence”by James J. Manning Jr.Read MoreMay 9, 2011Take It Back!by James J. Manning Jr.Read MoreMay 3, 2011IRS Appeals Procedureby Pietro E. CanestrelliRead MoreApril 25, 2011Ending the Business Marriage – Dissolving the Partnershipby Michael G. KerbsRead MoreApril 11, 2011Preparing Your Own Will or Trust Without Consulting a Lawyer Is a Risk Not Worth Takingby Daniel E. KatzRead MoreApril 6, 2011Creditor Twenty-Day Claims and the Bankruptcy Code: “Goods” or “Services”?by Erik K. DoddRead MoreApril 1, 2011Frosted Ice Cream Customer Faces the Cooler; Appellate Court Warms to the Taskby Scott TalkovRead MoreMarch 30, 2011I Might Not Get Paid Anything?by Steven G. LeeRead MoreMarch 28, 2011One Year to Sue A Lawyer for Malicious Prosecution – Statute of Limitations Explainedby James J. Manning Jr.Read MoreMarch 22, 2011The Perils of Procrastination – Misunderstanding a Statute of Limitationsby James J. Manning Jr.Read MoreMarch 21, 2011Employer Liable for Employment Discrimination if Military Status is “Motivating Factor”by Scott TalkovRead MoreMarch 15, 2011What Must an Employer Do When a Non-Employee Harasses an Employee?by Michael G. KerbsRead MoreMarch 14, 2011Homeowner Sued by Subcontractor’s Injured Employeeby Kenneth C. KocourekRead MoreMarch 10, 2011The Consequences of a “Failed” Mediationby James J. Manning Jr.Read MoreMarch 9, 2011Truck Drivers Parked Alongside Freeways Owe a Duty to Motoristsby David G. MooreRead MoreMarch 8, 2011Circular 230 – Regulation of Practice Before the IRSby Pietro E. CanestrelliRead MoreMarch 7, 2011Home Buyers Beware: Sellers Can Lie and Get Away With It!by Daniel E. KatzRead MoreMarch 2, 2011Non-Compete Clauses After Edwards v. Authur Andersen LLPby Douglas A. PlazakRead MoreMarch 1, 2011Homebuilder Alert: Your Home Sales Contract May Not Protect Youby James J. Manning Jr.Read MoreFebruary 25, 2011But a Deal is a Deal, Right?by Steven G. LeeRead MoreFebruary 22, 2011Duran v. U.S. Bank – Can Class Action Plaintiffs Use Statistical Sampling to Prove Liability?by Douglas A. PlazakRead MoreFebruary 18, 2011The Business of California Medical Marijuana Cooperatives and Collectivesby Erik K. DoddRead MoreFebruary 2, 2011Allowable Tax Deductions for Business Expensesby Pietro E. CanestrelliRead MoreJanuary 28, 2011Bonded Stop Notice Claimants Must Serve Proper Office of Bank or Construction Lenderby James J. Manning Jr.Read MoreJanuary 21, 2011Terminating Employee Shortly After Complaint to HR Exposes Employer to Liabilityby James J. Manning Jr.Read MoreJanuary 18, 2011Right to Arbitrate May be Waived by Proceeding With a Lawsuitby David G. MooreRead MoreJanuary 16, 20119th Circuit Unmasks Anonymous Online Speakersby Scott TalkovRead MoreJanuary 10, 2011You Can Pay Me Now or You Can Pay Me Laterby Kenneth C. KocourekRead MoreJanuary 7, 2011Developers Beware! Comply with the California Environmental Quality Act or Go Brokeby Daniel E. KatzRead MoreJanuary 7, 2011Proposed California SB 6: Beware of Fraudulent Real Estate Appraisingby Erik K. DoddRead MoreJanuary 4, 2011Too Quick to Sue a Newspaper: Anti-SLAPP Part Twoby James J. Manning Jr.Read MoreDecember 30, 2010The Preliminary 20-Day Notice, Mechanic’s Liens and Stop Notices: California Civil Code sections 3097 & 3097.1by James J. Manning Jr.Read MoreDecember 29, 2010How Bankruptcy Affects Tax Obligations for Individuals and Sole Proprietorsby Mark C. SchnitzerRead MoreDecember 26, 2010Employer Sues Fired Employees for Defamation- Defeats their Anti-SLAPP Motionby James J. Manning Jr.Read MoreDecember 22, 2010Charging Minors Admission to a House Party? Social Host Immunity from Liability Remainsby David G. MooreRead MoreDecember 21, 2010Employers- Avoid the Million Dollar Liability in Your Paychecksby Michael G. KerbsRead MoreDecember 18, 2010Think Twice Before Suing a Newspaper!by James J. Manning Jr.Read MoreDecember 17, 2010Nigerian E-mail Scam Victim Sues Bank, Loses Appealby David G. MooreRead MoreDecember 15, 2010Evidence at State Bar Disciplinary Hearings Changing in 2011by Kenneth C. KocourekRead MoreDecember 10, 2010Non-Party Recovery of the Costs of a Subpoena Requiring Document Productionby Scott TalkovRead MoreDecember 10, 2010Corporate Formalities Checklist: Comply with Corporate Formalities to Ensure Limited Liabilityby Michael G. KerbsRead MoreDecember 10, 2010Construction Lenders Beware of California Civil Code section 3137(c)by James J. Manning Jr.Read More
