Legal News and Updates
New California Employment Laws 2026
Effective January 1, 2026, new employment laws will go into effect in California, including several signed by Governor Newsom. We recommend reviewing and updating your employee handbooks, personnel policies, and procedures before year-end to ensure compliance with...
Ignorance Is No Defense: California Supreme Court Clarifies the Employer’s Burden When Asserting the Good Faith Defense to Liquidated Damages for Minimum Wage Violations
On August 21, 2025, in Iloff v. LaPaille, the California Supreme Court made clear that ignorance of the law is no defense to liability when it comes to paying “liquidated” damages for minimum wage violations. The high court ruled that employers who intend to rely on...
Why Firing For ‘Culture Fit’ Can Backfire On Employers
A recent decision from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, Kean v. Brinker International, Inc., spells out some potential legal risks for employers who cite poor company culture fit as a reason for termination. In this case, a 59-year-old general manager...
Velarde v. Monroe Operations, LLC | Crucial Lessons for Roll Out of Arbitration Agreements
In Velarde v. Monroe Operations, LLC (June 2025, No. G063626), a California Court of Appeal invalidated an employer’s arbitration agreement due to procedural unconscionability – meaning it was not struck down for its terms, but for the manner in which it was presented...
New Posting Requirement: Crime Victims Leave Notice Now Available
On July 1, 2025, the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) published a new mandatory workplace notice titled: “Survivors of Violence and Family Members of Victims Right to Leave and Accommodations.” This publication stems from AB 2499, which took effect on January...
Wages on the Rise: What California Employers Need to Know by July 1
The temperature isn’t the only thing rising this summer. As of January 1, 2025, California’s statewide minimum wage rose to $16.50, with fast‑food workers earning a minimum of $20 per hour, and certain healthcare employees reaching $25 per hour. But local governments...
Immigration Action Checklist
In light of the ongoing immigration enforcement actions authorized by President Trump, we have created a checklist offering guidance and recommendations to help you prepare for a potential visit by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at your workplace....
From Lovers to Lawsuits: The Privacy Pitfalls of Non-Fraternization Policies
Love is in the air, and so is the potential for employer liability when it comes to workplace romances. According to a recent survey conducted by Human Resources specialists at Manage Business, the average employee spends over 30% of their time working, commuting, and...
New Year, New Chance to Take All Reasonable Steps to Avoid or Cap PAGA Penalties
In the wake of a busy Fall where Private Attorneys General Act (“PAGA”) reform was implemented, employers should not forget to seize the opportunity to take “reasonable steps” to prevent Labor Code violations and avoid or cap PAGA penalties. Since it was enacted in...
Katie Collins Named Partner
Duggan McHugh Law Corporation is excited to announce that Katie Collins has been promoted to Partner. She joins Senior Partners Jennifer Duggan and Laura McHugh and Partner Christina Bucci Hamilton. Since joining Duggan McHugh in 2023, Katie has been an integral part...