[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]As the holiday season approaches and employers eye their workloads and business days remaining in the year, many consider asking (or even requiring) some employees to work on a company-designated holiday.[/vc_column_text][thb_gap height=”20″][vc_column_text] Read More
R.E.A.C.H. October 2010: A Cautionary Tale for Landlords: Don’t Do Dumb Things
[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]As one residential landlord recently discovered, it can be very costly to violate rent control ordinances, especially when there are unhappy tenants.[/vc_column_text][thb_gap height=”20″][vc_column_text] Read More
R.E.A.C.H. August 2010: Developer Cannot Enter Into Arbitration Agreement With Himself
[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]The Fourth Appellate District Court of Appeal recently held that an arbitration agreement that was recorded as part of the initial CC&Rs in a condominium development was unenforceable. The agreement, recorded before any of the units were sold, was not a true agreement, and was not binding, despite having been recorded with the CC&Rs.[/vc_column_text][thb_gap height=”20″][vc_column_text] Read More
R.E.A.C.H. June 2010: Property Managers May Collect for Some Unlicensed Work
[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]We have written many times about the impact of a contractor working without a license. But there is a similar law requiring that real estate agents be licensed as well. And while an unlicensed contractor may not collect for any work performed, the rule seems more relaxed with regard to real estate agents and brokers, at least with regard to collecting for property management work.[/vc_column_text][thb_gap height=”20″][vc_column_text] Read More
R.E.A.C.H. April 2010: Contractor Disgorgement Judgment May Be Dischargeable in Bankruptcy
[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]We have written several times about the impact of California’s unlicensed contractor disgorgement law – Business and Professions Code section 7031(b). The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal, reviewing a bankruptcy matter, recently held that a judgment for disgorgement is dischargeable in bankruptcy.[/vc_column_text][thb_gap height=”20″][vc_column_text] Read More
R.E.A.C.H. February 2010: Non-Refundable Escrow Deposits
[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]When is a deposit to escrow in a residential real property transaction non-refundable? In early February, the Fourth Appellate District Court weighed in on this subject.[/vc_column_text][thb_gap height=”20″][vc_column_text] Read More
The Complications of Overtime Exemption Laws in a Service Economy
[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]”Hello, I’m Ronald Reagan speaking for General Electric. At General Electric, you know, ‘progress is our most important product.’ But, all progress must have a starting point.[/vc_column_text][thb_gap height=”20″][vc_column_text] Read More
R.E.A.C.H. January 2010: Presumed Notice of Title Conditions
[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]The Sixth Appellate District Court recently held that a home purchaser’s receipt of his deed constitutes “actual notice” of the conditions of title to the property even if the buyer does not read the deed. That actual notice starts the statute of limitations for any claims based upon title to the property.[/vc_column_text][thb_gap height=”20″][vc_column_text] Read More
R.E.A.C.H. October 2009: Contractors Must Disgorge All Money Received for Unlicensed Work
[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]The law regarding unlicensed contractors has undergone significant change recently. This month we report on a recent appellate decision holding that an unlicensed contractor must disgorge all money received for the unlicensed work, without offset for costs incurred and without regard to the value of goods and services provided.[/vc_column_text][thb_gap height=”20″][vc_column_text] Read More
Sotomayor and Roger Traynor: The Job Interviews
[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]All the focus on the speeches and writings of Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor before her confirmation got me thinking. What would we see if we scrutinized the speeches and writings of the California Supreme Court’s former Chief Justice, Roger Traynor, a great 20th century appellate judge who served on the California Supreme Court for nearly 30 years? asks Elizabeth Roth of GCA Law Partners LLP.[/vc_column_text][thb_gap height=”20″][vc_column_text] Read More