The main difference between arbitration and mediation is that an arbitrator hears evidence and makes a decision, whereas a mediator assists in the negotiatio...

Can coronavirus suspend or excuse performance of a contract? Maybe. Given what has transpired in the past month--if not week, if not day--it is unsurprising ...

Workers compensation applies to injuries and illness "arising out of and in the course of employment," regardless of location.

Only in California - Compliance deadline of January 1, 2020 is still in place despite rules of compliance still being written. The Office of the Attorney Gen...

California has more coronavirus cases than any other state and has also been the nucleus of the quarantine effort. Learn what employers can do to help and en...

Learn about the term ministerial acts, a definition that determines whether a traditional writ of mandate may be an avenue for relief. A ministerial act has ...

Retaliation is the most frequent basis of complaints of violations of federal employment law and the most common finding in such cases. Find out more about i...

Character letters are typically worth their weight in gold when defending your license. But heed the following advice to make sure that they do not create mo...

2019 saw an avalanche of new, employee-friendly laws be implemented in California. Make sure you revise your Employee Handbook to catch them all. Back in the...

Retired Teacher Facing Potential Revocation Due to DUI has Investigation Closed by Overwhelming CTC with Evidence of Rehabilitation, Mitigation, and Good Cha...

Sometimes the Causes for Discipline concerning your license are false or erroneous. Learn more on how to obtain evidence to support this position in defense ...

While you can be jailed for buying your buddy one for the road, you cannot be found liable for damages from the latter victims of his/her intoxicated state. ...

Before giving up hope or going all-in on a petition for writ of mandamus, pursue a direct plea to the licensing agency to reconsider their disciplinary decis...

Smith Dollar PC will be closed December 24 through January 1. To all of our family, friends, colleagues, vendors, and most importantly, our clients, we wish ...

Learn more about this separate type of relief that may be awarded in addition to money damages. When a party to contract suffers loss due to the other party'...

An often overlooked defense or bar to many claims or causes of action in administrative law, employment law, or just litigation is the failure to exhaust rem...

Six bills passed late in the 2019 legislative session, and signed into law by Governor Newsom, amend and clarify the California Consumer Privacy Act in sever...

Learn more about the process for defending one's teaching or education administration credential in the state of California. The California Commission on Tea...

Learn more about unconscious bias and the role it plays in employment decision making. Everyone deserves fair and respectful treatment from others. This is e...