As a business owner, you’ve had to make quick decisions. You’ve had to negotiate your own contracts. You’ve had to do everything on the fly. If it has worked so far, you might think that you can do without legal counsel on your business agreements. What do lawyers...
San Francisco Law Blog
AAPI workers and all Asians are protected by state and federal law
In light of recent events and the uptick in anti-Asian bias due to the pandemic, you may wonder what protections the Asian-American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community and others of Asian descent really have. Both California and federal law protect AAPI individuals...
US Supreme Court to decide if college athletes must be paid
In 2014, a group of college athletes filed a class action against the National Collegiate Athletic Association and other major athletic conferences. They argued that the NCAA’s eligibility and compensation restrictions, meant to keep college sports amateur, are...
Is long-haul COVID-19 illness considered a disability?
It’s an important question because it’s illegal to discriminate against a person with a disability in employment or in places of public accommodation. In California, our laws define disability broadly. For the purpose of California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act...
As you build your business, you should pay yourself reasonably
When you are starting a new business, it can seem impossible to meet all of your expenses. You’re just now getting the word out about your new company. Clients are probably thin on the ground. You may plan to undercut your competitors to get your foot in the door, and...
Are vaccine signup websites violating disability rights?
A recent investigation by Kaiser Health News found that many federal, state and local websites offering information about and registrations for COVID-19 vaccines violate disability laws, especially when it comes to people with visual disabilities. People who require...
Is discrimination illegal based on any immutable characteristic?
No. It is not true that employers cannot discriminate against people because of any immutable characteristic. In California, the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) lays out a limited number of characteristics that are protected by the law. Federal laws also apply,...
What is tortious interference with contracts?
When you have a contract, but a third party interferes and causes the other side to breach it, it could be “tortious interference.” A classic example is this. You’ve agreed to buy a local artist’s painting for $500. They agreed to the price and you’re ready to pick up...
Rule change would limit some ‘disparate impact’ civil rights cases
It is perhaps the most significant shift in civil rights enforcement in a generation or longer. In a last-minute proposal, the U.S. Department of Justice has proposed a rule change that would change how it enforces Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which bars...
CA Supreme Court: 2018 independent contractor rule is retroactive
In California, it has been hard to tell who is legally considered an independent contractor vs. an employee. The distinction is significant. Independent contractors are not eligible for many workplace protections that employees take for granted, such as: Workers’...