Recent Articles

            In 2022 the California Legislature passed nearly 1,200 bills and nearly 1,000 became law signed by Governor Gavin. Here’s a sampling of some you may find of interest.             Minimum Wage:  The new statewide California minimum wage bumps to $15.50 per hour for all employers, a modest bump from [...]

            Lawyers need law. Shoot. It’s right there in the name. Without law, lawyers would be cast upon the public as a rudderless group of insufferable pontificators – arguing ad nauseum without direction or restraint. They would, in essence, become politicians. Wait…nearly a third of the members of Congress have [...]

            An estimated 4.5 tons of plastic cigarette butts are littered each year around the world. Many end up in oceans and lakes with deadly consequences.             Even the Philip Morris Institute admits that discarded cigarette butts are “one of the most littered items worldwide.” The Institute goes on: “There [...]

           Cruella de Vil and cats. They don’t like puppies. Who else doesn’t like puppies? Just about no one. That can be counted as a universal truth. Here’s another: Litigants who harm puppies lose. Judges and jurors are people. People love puppies. People do not love people who hurt puppies. You [...]

            California’s Recreational Use Statute, section 846 of the Civil Code, is one of my favorites. It’s a favorite because it often applies to our area where outdoorsy types use private property for lots of reasons, including fishing, hunting, skiing, hiking and biking. Any chance I get I throw in [...]

            Halloween is here. Ghosts, ghouls, and gluttons abound. Copious amounts of candy will be devoured in the coming days. A tradition with deleterious health effects. Save the children, save yourselves. Carrots, not candy. Let that be your trick-or-treat mantra. And…risk eggs raining down on your home while you rail [...]

            Ballots for the November 8th election have been mailed, and I am fielding inquiries from folks wondering when my annual election column will be published. Be careful what you wish for.             This year we are combining in one column a few statewide matters with local elections and Measures. I skip a local election [...]

                This is a sad story about an accidental drowning in Bora Bora, French Polynesia. JENNIFER ANISTON WEDDING CELEBRATION             Carmel Musgrove traveled to the Four Seasons Resort on a private island on Bora Bora where she was one of fourteen people whom Hollywood [...]

            Is it legal for an employer to make a new employee sign an employment agreement reciting that if the new employee leaves the company he/she may not compete in business? Spoiler alert: no.             Is it legal in a business sale transaction for the [...]