Firm News

The process of rezoning

June 10, 2020
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Zoning is a key aspect of California land use and development. According to the Institute for Local Government, zoning determines what individuals, companies and other entities may use land for in different areas or “zones.” It would not be appropriate, for example, to have residential land use and industrial land use available in the same zone or…

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Nominating a power of attorney in California

June 9, 2020
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California residents who either cannot or do not want to make legal decisions for themselves may have a designated power of attorney speak for them.  Before an individual nominates an attorney-in-fact, it is critical to consider which responsibilities he or she will relinquish as well as which qualities to look for in an agent.  Selecting…

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AB-9’s Impact on Employer Record Keeping

June 3, 2020
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Attorneys at Griswold LaSalle are often asked by business owners: How long should I keep my employee records? The answer is now: At least four (4) years as a result of California law, AB 9, which went into effect January 1, 2020. AB 9 implies such additional record keeping requirements for employers with respect to…

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How an Attorney Can Help with a Small Claims Case

June 3, 2020
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Small claims court, as the name suggests, is a way to resolve claims under $10,000. Because of this limit, attorneys cannot represent people in court on these cases. Although an attorney cannot appear for you in court, the attorneys at Griswold LaSalle can assist you in the background of your small claims matter. First, like…

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Sick Leave Policies During COVID-19

June 3, 2020
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Business owners may be revisiting their sick leave polices during COVID or simply trying to match up the federal emergency sick leave (Families First Coronavirus Response Act or “FFCRA”) with their own policies. Although we recommend having an employment attorney review and revise employment policies as a whole, the following can be used as a…

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COVID-19 Guidelines for CA Dine-In Restaurants

May 26, 2020
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California’s statewide stay-at-home order has left many Californians wondering what the future holds in regard to how businesses will re-open and what the consumer experience will look like. Governor Newsom issued a 4-stage “Resilience Roadmap” outlining the four stages of re-opening various public places. Whether a county is able to move to the next stage…

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Estate Planning During a Pandemic

May 18, 2020
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Everyone should have an estate plan based on their circumstances. Your estate plan can take the form of a simple Will or can get progressively more advanced through the use of a living trust. As we all age, the need for an estate plan becomes more relevant and COVID-19 has made this need even more…

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How Small Businesses Can Survive COVID-19

May 14, 2020
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Governor Gavin Newsom created the “Six Critical Indicators” framework that California will consider before ending or changing the statewide stay-at-home order.[1] The framework is not a concrete plan, but the indicators will serve as an outline for modifying the stay-at-home order. The six indicators are: Monitoring and protecting communities through testing, contact tracing, isolating and…

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Employer Responsibilities During a Pandemic

May 4, 2020
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Photo credit: bbc.com Several Federal and State agencies have used existing laws or issued guidance to assist employers during the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic. Below are some frequently asked questions related to employer responsibilities during a pandemic; What preventative measures can be taken? Employers should encourage employees to practice social distancing and illness prevention practices. Preventative…

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The Families First Coronavirus Response Act

March 27, 2020
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  Photo credit: Senate Photography Studio On March 18, 2020, Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) went into effect.  This bill, enacted by Congress, responds to the COVID-19 pandemic by providing paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave for those affected by the virus.  The provisions will apply until December 31, 2020. FFCRA…

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