The Ralph M. Brown Act The Ralph M. Brown Act was adopted into the California Government Code in 1953. This legislation comprises a set of status mandating that the governing bodies of local public agencies conduct their business in public. The primary objective is to safeguard the public’s right to participate in local decision-making. Key...
Starting Your Divorce Together: The 2026 California Joint Petition Guide Starting January 1, 2026, California has introduced a new, friendlier way to handle the California divorce process: the Joint Petition. This path allows you and your spouse to file for divorce as a team, moving away from the old “Petitioner vs. Respondent” labels. In a...
A Complete Guide to Divorce in California: What to Know Before You Start Divorce can feel overwhelming, confusing, and even intimidating. If you’re facing divorce in California, the good news is that the state’s process is designed to help you and your spouse reach a fair resolution so you can move forward. This guide explains...
The $16.90 Shift: Preparing Your Business for California’s 2026 Minimum Wage Hike For California business owners, January 1st often marks a shift in financial planning. While wage increases are a standard part of doing business, the jump to a statewide minimum wage of $16.90 per hour on January 1, 2026, is a significant milestone that...
The End of “Stay-or-Pay”: California Bans Training Repayment Contracts in 2026 For years, businesses have used “training repayment agreements” as a safety net. The logic was simple: if we invest thousands in training you, you should stay long enough for us to see a return on that investment, if you leave early, you pay us...
Buying or Selling a Business? Why SB 261 Changes the Risk Landscape in 2026 In the business world, we often talk about “risk management.” In 2026, the risk associated with unpaid wage claims is skyrocketing. SB 261 is designed to give teeth to wage enforcement. For business owners, particularly those looking to buy, sell, or...
Transparency is the New Standard: Navigating California’s 2026 Pay Equity Laws The era of “Salary: Competitive” is officially over. California has been moving toward pay transparency for years, but SB 642 tightens the rules significantly starting January 1, 2026. For business owners, this isn’t just a formatting change for your job ads–– it’s a legal...
Redefining Family: New Paid Leave Rules for “Designated Persons” in 2026 Workplaces are changing because families are changing. California law is catching up to this reality with SB 590, which expands the scope of Paid Family Leave effective January 1, 2026. For employers, this means your team members will have more flexibility to care for...