The California state legislature, local government entities, and state and federal courts are constantly changing the environment in which our clients operate on a daily basis and plan their future strategic direction. Staying abreast of new laws, regulations and other legal developments – and analyzing the impact on clients – is what makes our attorneys standout as go-to experts. We share breaking-news information through the timely distribution of Client Alerts, and we encourage you to sign up to receive these updates by completing the subscription information in the left column. Our most recent Client Alerts are provided below, alphabetized by area of law. Prior alerts are available in the annual archives in the left column or via the search function on our website.
Economic Development, Real Estate and Housing
- Fair Housing Act’s Impact on Local Zoning and Land Use LawsJuly 23, 2018Although zoning and land use is an area where municipalities have primary power, courts have consistently held that the Fair Housing Act prohibits local governments from exercising their zoning and land use powers in a discriminatory way. According to the FHA, a dwelling includes “any building, structure, or portion thereof which is occupied as, or designed or intended for occupancy as, a ... read more
- HCD Prematurely Releases Determinations Implementing SB 35’s Streamlined, Ministerial Approval Process for Certain Housing ProjectsFebruary 14, 2018On January 31, 2018, the California Department of Housing and Community Development (“HCD”) made several determinations pursuant to Government Code section 65913.4, commonly referred to as SB 35. read more
Municipal and Special District Law
- Ballot Initiative Could Increase Rent Control Options for Cities and CountiesJuly 9, 2018The housing affordability crisis is one of the most contentious and complicated issues facing California legislators, but a new statewide initiative on the November 2018 ballot will give the state’s voters a direct voice in what could be a dramatic expansion of rent control policies across the state. If read more
Labor and Employment
- Court of Appeal Clarifies Dynamex’s ABC Test for Classifying Independent Contractors Does Not Apply to Joint Employer CasesJune 19, 2018The Court of Appeal in Curry v. Equilon Enterprises, LLC (2018) 23 Cal.App.5th 289 clarified the scope the ABC test used in California Supreme Court’s recent employment decision, Dynamex Operations West, Inc. v. Superior Court (2018) 4 Cal.5th 903. The Curry ... read more
First Amendment
- Ninth Circuit Rules on Transforming Public Streets into Nonpublic ForumsMarch 12, 2018Immigration and border control issues have been at the forefront of recent public debate. Protestors are pushing for greater access to both monitor the activities of law enforcement agents and to express their opinions. In the Ninth Circuit’s recent decision in Jacobson v. Department of Homeland Security, 882 F.3d 878 (9th Cir. Feb. 2018) the Court considered protestors’ rights ... read more
Environmental Law
- Supreme Court Settles Jurisdictional Issue and Lifts Nationwide Stay of WOTUS RuleJanuary 30, 2018The Supreme Court, in a unanimous opinion authored by Justice Sotomayor, resolved the issue over which federal court has jurisdiction to hear legal challenges to the 2015 “waters of the United States” Rule (“WOTUS Rule”) under the Clean Water Act (“CWA”). Reversing the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, the Supreme Court held that lawsuits challenging the 2015 WOTUS Rule first must ... read more