Articles/News
Required Notice of Void Noncompete Agreements
New Laws As you may be aware, California law (Business and Professions Code section 16600) has long held that any contract that restrains anyone from engaging in a lawful trade or business is void and unenforceable (with certain narrow exceptions for the sale of a business or agreements involving the dissolution of, or disposition of […]
Tips on Complying With California’s Updated Paid Sick Leave Law (SB 616)
What Is SB 616? SB 616 went into effect on January 1, 2024 and amends the state’s Labor Code to raise the minimum paid sick leave in California to 40 hours or 5 days, whichever is more. As a reminder, California requires that employers provide paid time off to employees for treatment, diagnosis, and preventive […]
The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) – Requirement and Rationale
Every entity required to report will have to disclose its beneficial owners. A beneficial owner is defined as either of the following: A natural person who exercises substantial control over the entity; or A natural person who owns or controls at least 25% of the ownership interest in the entity. A person with substantial control […]
Donahue Fitzgerald Ranked in Top Tier of 2024 Best Law Firms®
Firms included in the 2024 Best Law Firms® list are recognized for professional excellence with persistently impressive ratings from clients and peers. To be eligible, a firm must have a lawyer listed in The Best Lawyers in America®, which recognizes the top 5 percent of private practicing attorneys in the U.S. achieving a tiered ranking […]
AB-1228 Essentials: A New Minimum Wage for Fast-Food Chains and Avoiding the Prospect of Joint Franchisor/Franchisee Liability
What does it do? Establishes a Fast-Food Council that is responsible for developing minimum employment standards for fast-food employees, including wages, working conditions and training. Sets a $20/hr minimum wage for fast-food workers. Five Things to Know About the Minimum Wage for Fast-Food Workers The FFW Minimum Wage applies only to employees of “National Fast-Food […]
Donahue Fitzgerald Attorneys Recognized in the Best Lawyers in America® 2024 Edition
Dawn Newton, Franchise Law Kristin A. Pace, Tax Law Merrill J. Schwartz, Real Estate, Trusts and Estates Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers® has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Best Lawyers recognitions are compiled based on an exhaustive Purely Peer Review® evaluation. More than 123,000 industry leading lawyers […]
Quick Note for Employers Regarding Religious Accommodation
What Does “Substantial Increased Costs” Mean? This is to be determined. The Supreme Court provided minimal guidance on how employers meet the “substantial increased costs” standard. It will be up to the lower courts to determine how to apply this new standard on a case-by-case basis. What Does Groff v. Dejoy Mean for California Employers? […]
I-9 Remote Verification Extended – But Only For Some
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Homeland Security temporarily relaxed the requirement that employers physically inspect documents. Employers were allowed to accept copies transmitted by e-mail or other electronic means, and directed to annotate Form I-9. These were temporary measures designed to address workplace shutdowns caused by the pandemic. They were not intended to […]
Congratulations to Associates Anna Bernstein and Hayley Lenahan on Your Appointments as Members of the ACBA’s Barristers Executive Committee
The ACBA Barristers Executive Committee shapes the educational and social programming for the section. Anna was voted in as a member of the Executive Committee and Hayley was voted in as an alternate. Anna Bernstein is an associate with a focus on real estate, construction, and employment. As a member of the Real Estate and […]
Donahue Fitzgerald Attorneys Named 2023 Super Lawyers
Northern California Super Lawyers Mario Choi: Business Litigation Daniel B. Newbold: Estate Planning & Probate Kristin A. Pace: Estate Planning & Probate Lawrence K. Rockwell: Estate & Trust Litigation Mary M. Rudser: Estate Planning & Probate David A. Stein: Construction Litigation Jonathan McNeil Wong: Immigration Business Elizabeth M. Engh: Estate Planning & Probate Jessica M. […]