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Stronger Franchisee Protections Emerging in 2026 State Laws
It appears that franchisors will remain targets of state governments in 2026. Although a franchise system may not call a state with new legislation its home, franchisors and franchisees should stay informed about the potential
Franchise 101: Claim Preclusion; and Diversity Precedent
Franchisor 101: Claim Preclusion The federal district court in North Dakota granted a franchisee’s motion to dismiss a franchisor’s complaint for failure to state a claim and its motion for sanctions, finding the franchisor improperly
New Virginia Law Bans Non-Competes in Franchise Agreements
On April 13, Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed House Bill 69 and its companion Senate Bill 240 into law. The new legislation takes effect on July 1 and makes two major changes to the Virginia Retail
IEEPA Tariff Refunds: What Business Owners Need to Know
If your business paid duties under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) tariffs imposed in 2025, you may be entitled to a refund. On February 20, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court in Learning Resources,
No Good Deed: How Non-Profit Employers Should Properly Classify Volunteer Services
When does a volunteer legally become an employee? For California’s nonprofit sector, the answer just got a lot clearer. A recent California appellate case, Spilman v. Salvation Army, provides a roadmap for distinguishing between employees
Franchise 101: When Franchisees Comb-Out; and The Unearthed FDD
Franchisor 101: When Franchisees Comb-Out A Utah federal court denied a motion by Larada Sciences, Inc. (“LCA”), a franchisor of lice clinics, for a preliminary injunction preventing a former LCA franchisee, The MIH Group, LLC
Importance of Keeping Gift Receipts in a California Divorce
With Valentine’s Day over, couples may have already eaten the chocolate and thrown away the flowers often associated with the holiday, but the thoughtful gifts they exchanged remain. What happens to those gifts if the
Franchise 101: Location, Location, Location! Forum Selection Clause Overcomes Jurisdictional Challenges; and Topped Off Appeal
Franchisor 101: Location, Location, Location! Forum Selection Clause Overcomes Jurisdictional Challenges A Louisiana district court held that a franchisee waived its right to remove a dispute with its franchisor from state court to federal court,
New Court Ruling Allows California Employers to Evict Former Resident Managers When Employment Ends
The California Court of Appeals’ recent decision in De Paolo v. Rosales clarifies the rights of an employer to evict an on-site resident manager following termination of employment. Employers who provide housing as part of
Upcoming Minimum Wage Increases: What L.A. Employers Need to Know for July 2026
Employers in Los Angeles should prepare for adjustment to the minimum wage starting July 1, 2026: Location Current Rate (until June 30, 2026) New Rate (Starting July 1, 2026) City of Los Angeles $17.87 $18.42