The Department of Labor’s (DOL) recent proposal to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) overtime rules has sparked discussions across various sectors. This blog post provides a succinct overview of the current situation, the proposed changes, their potential impacts, and the actions you might need to consider. Understanding these changes is crucial in my […]
Introduction to Mediation Mediation, a form of alternative dispute resolution, has gained prominence due to its effectiveness in resolving conflicts amicably. This method involves a neutral third party, known as a mediator, who facilitates communication between the disputing parties to reach a mutually acceptable solution. Unlike litigation, mediation is less formal, more flexible, and can
Having experienced the legal world as both a litigator and now as a mediator, I’m often asked for my opinion on what parties can do to best prepare for a successful mediation. In addition to the obvious of becoming the expert on the facts and the law as they pertain to your case, I’ve come
The California Supreme Court just delivered its highly anticipated ruling in Adolph v. Uber Technologies, Inc., affirming that “representative” PAGA claims cannot be compelled to arbitration. While the Court provided clarity on certain issues like the one just stated, open questions still remain. These unresolved matters leave room for further exploration and potential litigation. Below, is a short summary
Before law school, longtime employment litigator Monique Ngo-Bonnici spent a year and a half studying at Peking University in China, where haggling over the price of just about everything was commonplace. “When I lived in China, you’d go to a restaurant, and there would be menu prices, but after you ate your meal, you would
On June 27, 2023, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) will come into effect, following President Biden’s signing of the law on December 29, 2022. The PWFA is a new legislation aimed at providing reasonable accommodations for workers and applicants facing pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, so long as these accommodations do not pose
Navigating the California Civil Rights Council’s Draft Regulations on AI As technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace, it is critical that our legal and regulatory systems keep pace. Recently, the California Civil Rights Council (CRC) (formerly the Fair Employment and Housing Council) has made significant strides in this
Non-compete clauses are a common feature of many employment contracts, especially in highly competitive industries where companies seek to protect their intellectual property, trade secrets, and customer relationships. These clauses typically prohibit departing employees from working for a competitor or starting a competing business for a certain period of time, usually between six months to
Mediation is a popular method of resolving disputes, as it allows parties to come to a mutually acceptable resolution without the need for a costly and time-consuming court battle. However, choosing the right mediator is crucial to the success of the mediation process. Here are some tips I’ve gathered from many of the attorneys I
For those of you who have not been following developments in Equal Pay Act cases as closely as I have, the ruling late last year in the Allen v. Staples, Inc. case changes the way a lot of these cases are being litigated as the court allowed the Plaintiff in Allen to defeat summary judgment by showing that
