New California Employment Laws for 2026

Happy Holidays from the California Legislature!  Below is a brief overview of some of the more important changes in employment laws that Governor Newsom signed into law that will take effect in 2026 and beyond.  This is not an exhaustive list, and is intended to highlight some of the more important changes that will impact […]

Court Upholds $17.2M Award After Flawed Investigation — What Employers Must Know

In King v. U.S. Bank National Association, 53 Cal.App.5th 675 (2020), the California Court of Appeal affirmed a massive judgment—ultimately totaling roughly $17.18 million—in favor of a terminated 69-year-old employee who alleged wrongful termination, defamation, and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. While the opinion covers numerous legal issues, one […]

Common Workplace Investigation Mistakes Employers Make — And How to Avoid Them

As a former employment litigator, I’ve had a unique opportunity to observe how California employers handle internal workplace investigations. While some manage them well, many do not. Through my experience, I noticed that poorly handled investigations often share common traits — mistakes that could have easily been avoided with proper guidance. Below are some of […]

When to Hire an External Investigator

Employers have an affirmative legal duty to conduct a prompt, impartial, and thorough investigation into employee complaints involving harassment, discrimination, or retaliation. In California, employers are also required to investigate alleged incidents or threats of violence in the workplace. One of the first decisions an employer must make when receiving a complaint is whether to […]

2025 Midyear California Employment Law Update

As we approach the midyear point, we wanted to review some of the new employment laws that went into effect this year and impact most California employers.  This is not intended to be an exhaustive list. Should you have any specific questions about how these laws affect your organization, please reach out — we are […]

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Have you received a sensitive employee complaint?  Considering a change to an employment relationship?  Confused about your obligations and rights under current employment laws?  Send me a message here.  Note:  An attorney-client relationship is not created by submitting a message here.