California’s mediation privilege, codified in Evidence Code section 1119, provides that statements made and writings prepared for the purpose of, in the course of, or pursuant to mediation are generally inadmissible and not discoverable. This privilege also extends to settlement discussions occurring “in the course of a mediation.” Such limitations impact the client’s ability to Read More…
LGC Sponsors Autism Society Fundraiser
LGC recently participated in the Autism Society of San Diego’s 16th Annual Splash for Cash as its “Big Kahuna” sponsor. This year’s event raised over $22,000 for Autism Society programs like its Surf Camp and monthly Family Pizza and Pool Party, as well as swimming lesson scholarships. In addition to sponsoring the event, LGC donated Read More…
Dispelling Estate-Planning Myths
A recent survey revealed that only approximately four out of every 10 American adults have a will, which exemplifies our tendency to underestimate the importance of estate planning. When people talk about their hesitation to prepare an estate plan, a handful of typical concerns come up: they think they’re too young for an estate plan, Read More…
New Appellate Decision Strictly Construes SB 800 Timing Requirements
In a new decision, the Court of Appeal has strictly construed the deadlines imposed by SB 800 for builders to respond to a notice of claim. In doing so, the Court found that a notice of claim that contained only vague, boilerplate language describing a homeowner’s allegations will nevertheless trigger the 14-day period in which Read More…
New San Diego Ordinance Imposes Mandatory Accrual Of Paid Sick Time
On July 11, employees throughout the City of San Diego began accruing paid sick leave due to San Diego’s recently-approved Earned Sick Leave and Minimum Wage Ordinance. In addition to raising the City’s minimum wage to $10.50 per hour (and requiring annual increases after that), the Ordinance allows employees working 30 or more hours per Read More…
California Supreme Court Clarifies Five-Year Requirement To Bring Cases To Trial
In the new case of Gaines v. Fidelity National Title Insurance, the California Supreme Court clarified what constitutes a “complete stay” for purposes of tolling Code of Civil Procedure section 583.310’s five-year limit to bring a case to trial. The Court ruled that a stay of the proceedings to allow the parties to engage in Read More…
California’s Fair Pay Act Goes Into Effect
One of the most significant changes in the law in 2016 is Senate Bill 358, known as the “Fair Pay Act.” Effective January 1, 2016, the Act amends Labor Code section 1197.5 to attempt to ensure California employees can demand wages equal to those of opposite sex employees doing “substantially similar work.” Prior to the Read More…
