LOS ANGELES, Nov. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Hill, Farrer & Burrill LLP announced today that Partners Elissa Gysi and Sean McLoughlin have been recognized by Los Angeles Business Journal as “Leaders of Influence: Labor & Employment Attorneys.” The Los Angeles Business Journal recognizes the professional achievements of community business leaders of influence by highlighting their milestones and notable contributions to the Los Angeles business community.

“When it comes to the intricacies of employment, a whole additional set of skills is required. The leading employment attorneys and experts in the region have their finger on the ever-changing pulse of employment legislation, the new rules of hiring and firing, and the various trends that they have been tirelessly monitoring and managing for their clients,” states the publisher. More>>

By        Elissa L. Gysi      Danielle R. Gabai 

Governor Newson recently signed into law several bills that will impose new requirements on employers.  Unless specifically noted below, each of these new laws takes effect on January 1, 2024, and some will require changes to Employee Handbooks and company policies.

Senate Bill (SB) 616 – Expansion of California Sick Leave for Employees

On October 4, 2023, Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill No. 616 (“SB 616”), increasing the amount of paid sick leave employers must provide to California employees.  Employers must increase the amount of sick leave provided from three days (24 hours) to five days (40 hours) per year. More>>

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LOS ANGELES – September 26, 2023 – Hill, Farrer & Burrill LLP announced today that Partners Elissa Gysi and Sean McLoughlin have been recognized by Lawdragon in the 17^th edition of “500 Leading Corporate Employment Lawyers.”

“This recognition comes at an inflection point for labor and employment. Auto workers are on strike, Hollywood has gone dark. Hotel workers are on the picket lines. And no one, it seems, is happy,” states the publisher. “So, we are especially proud to tip our hat to these unsurpassed experts who try to keep the balance between Corporate America and its workers.”

Elissa Gysi litigates and arbitrates labor and employment disputes, including the defense of wage and hour, discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, and accommodation claims. More>>

HILL, FARRER & BURRILL LLP

Labor & Employment Update

SB 699: New California Law Further Restricting The Use of Non-Competes

September 12, 2023

By Elissa L. Gysi and Shelby Y. Meskin

Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed Senate Bill (SB) 699 into law which further restricts the use of non-compete clauses in employment agreements in California.  The law goes into effect on January 1, 2024.

Most non-compete agreements have long been unenforceable in California under Section 16600 of the California Business and Professions Code (“every contract by which anyone is restrained from engaging in a lawful profession, trade, or business of any kind is to that extent void”). More>>

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Hill, Farrer & Burrill LLP announced today that Partners Robert Eroen and Kevin Brogan have been recognized by Best Lawyers in the 30th edition of The Best Lawyers in America. Best Lawyers awards are compiled “by conducting exhaustive peer-review surveys in which tens of thousands of leading lawyers confidentially evaluate their professional peers” and honor “only the top 5.3% of elite lawyers in the nation across 150 practice areas.”

“Ranking the most exceptional legal minds requires sustained commitment and considerable intricacy. We leave no stone unturned, ensuring that that each stage of the Best Lawyers awards cycle is thorough,” states the periodical. More>>

The National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”) is cracking down on employers who have employee handbooks or policies that might be interpreted by employees to restrict their right to complain about wages, hours, working conditions or to communicate with union representatives.

On August 2, 2023, the NLRB issued its decision in Stericycle Inc., 372 NLRB No. 113 (2023) which adopted a new standard to determine whether employer handbook provisions unlawfully restrict employees’ exercise of protected concerted activity under Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act.  The new standard changes the NLRB’s previous approach which balanced a challenged rule’s potential impact on NLRA rights against an employer’s legitimate justifications for maintaining the rule. More>>

In the long-awaited Adolph v. Uber Technologies case, the California Supreme Court unanimously held that an order requiring an employee to arbitrate his individual Private Attorneys General Act of 2004 (“PAGA”) claim does not deprive the employee of standing to litigate non-individual PAGA claims on behalf of other employees.

The Court’s Decision:

The question before the California Supreme Court was whether an aggrieved employee who has been compelled to arbitrate his individual PAGA claims maintained standing to pursue his non-individual PAGA claims arising out of events involving other employees in court or in any other forum.  Justice Liu wrote for the Court, “[W]here a plaintiff has filed a PAGA action comprised of individual and non-individual claims, an order compelling arbitration of individual claims does not strip the plaintiff of standing to litigate non-individual claims in court.” More>>

LOS ANGELES – July 12, 2023 – Hill, Farrer & Burrill LLP announced today that Chase Bakaly and Erika Silverman have been listed in the first Lawdragon 500 X – The Next Generation guide. This seminal guide honors the burgeoning legal talent infusing traditional and innovative practices with fresh energy and forward-thinking perspectives.

“This is our inaugural guide dedicated to those who will define where the legal profession of our country goes. Whose leadership will be called upon by businesses and individuals when they face their crossroads,” states the publisher. “After reviewing thousands of candidates for what we informally call LDX500, we’re confident the future is in good hands.” More>>