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.
Land Use
- Land Use Litigation Deadlines Extended by Judicial Council’s COVID-19 Emergency RulesApril 7, 2020The California Judicial Council adopted eleven emergency rules (“Emergency Rules”) on April 6, 2020 to address the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on California’s residents and the judicial branch. The Judicial Council acknowledges that operations of the California superior courts have been disrupted and delayed and the Emergency Rules are necessary to protect the rights of litigants and to ... read more
- Newsom Issues Three COVID-19 Brown Act Orders: Here’s What He Urgently ChangedMarch 25, 2020Governor Newsom recently signed three Executive Orders that changed fundamental limitations and requirements of the Brown Act. He signed Executive Order N-25-20 on March 12, Executive Order N-29-20 on March 17, ... read more
- COVID-19 Update: Suspension of Brown Act Provisions and Event Cancellation IssuesMarch 12, 2020The spread of Coronavirus disease 2019, also known as COVID-19, is a monumental public health issue that is impacting every corner of California. The outbreak is forcing public agencies and businesses throughout the state to deal with a wide range of novel health, safety, employment, and contracting issues. Governor Newsom Suspends Portions of Brown Act Today, Governor ... read more
- New WOTUS Rule Attempts to End 40 Years of AmbiguityJanuary 29, 2020The federal Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of the Army (“agencies”) last week attempted to complete what the U.S. Supreme Court has asked them to do: define “waters of the United States” (“WOTUS”). The New WOTUS Rule is intended to put an end to the nearly 40 years during which ... read more
- California’s Density Bonus Law: 2020 UpdateJanuary 21, 2020California’s Density Bonus Law provides housing developers with tools to encourage the development of much needed affordable and senior housing. In 2019, the California Legislature passed new legislation that provides for an 80% density bonus to be granted to 100% affordable housing projects, the largest density bonus ever required under California law. That legislation, read more
- AB 1763 Allows Affordable Housing to be Built Denser and TallerJanuary 13, 2020Assembly Bill 1763 permits 100% affordable housing projects to be built denser and taller through three modifications to current law (outlined below) that are designed to help reduce costs associated with the development of affordable housing. AB 1763 is one of over twenty housing bills approved by the California Legislature in 2019, each one taking a different approach to easing the state’s ... read more
- SB 778 Requires Employers to Provide New Harassment Prevention Training by January 1, 2021January 15, 2020(Advisory Note: anti-harassment policies should also be updated) When Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 778 into law in 2019, he extended by one year the deadline for employers to implement new harassment prevention training requirements. Senate Bill 778 addressed concerns ... read more
- Employers’ Dilemma: Comply Now with New Employment Laws or Wait Out Court Challenges?January 1, 2020California employers enter 2020 facing many new and changed laws after an exceptionally active legislative session in 2019. However, the most difficult decision that many employers will face is whether to take action to immediately comply with some new requirements or wait until recent legal challenges to a few new laws wind their way through the court system and perhaps lead to subsequent ... read more