Insights Archive

California Supreme Court Issues Significant Meal Period Decision

Taking a meal break in California is no simple affair. Culminating seven years of litigation involving one California employer, on February 25, 2021, the Supreme Court of California issued its unanimous opinion in Donohue v. AMN Services, LLC, resolving two questions regarding California meal periods. The court’s opinion also raised, but did not resolve, questions regarding meal period compliance that will likely challenge employers and litigants for years.

Alexander M. Chemers Los Angeles Author

Aaron H. Cole Los Angeles Author

Christopher W. Olmsted San Diego Author

AB 2257 Enacts Significant Changes to AB 5 on Classification of Workers as Independent Contractors

California’s statute governing the classification of independent contractors, enacted under Assembly Bill (AB) 5, underwent a significant renovation on September 4, 2020, when Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 2257. The emergency measure, which takes effect immediately, contains several new exemptions and revises existing law related to exemptions for business-to-business relationships, referral agencies, professional services, and performance artists, among others.

Aaron H. Cole Los Angeles Author

How Much Will AB 5 Really Change California Law?

The answer is not as much as you may think. Much of the recent media coverage of California’s Assembly Bill 5 (AB 5) suggests that the bill represents a sea change in California law with respect to the classification of independent contractors.

Aaron H. Cole Los Angeles Author

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