RECENT POSTS
Wage & Hour Claims: Prevailing Employers Must Prove Bad Faith to Recover Fees
California Senate Bill 462, providing a prevailing employer may only recover attorneys’ fees if the court finds the wage claim was brought in bad faith, was recently signed into law. But what does this mean
Lessons in Commercial Lease Charges: Incorrect Estimates Could Lead to Fraud Claims
Real Estate Litigation Attorney by Nicholas Kanter 818-907-3289 A recent decision from the California Court of Appeals should give commercial landlords pause before providing estimated common area maintenance charges (CAM) and other lease expenses to prospective tenants.
Creating a Living Trust Makes (Dollars and) Sense
“How much will it cost?” For estate planning attorneys, this is usually the follow-up question we’re asked after “Do I need a Trust or Will?” After discussing a prospective client’s estate planning needs, some are
Mmmmm…Donuts – Slam Dunkin’ a Sweet Opportunity for Franchisees?
State Bar Certified Specialist, Franchise & Distribution Lawby Tal Grinblat 818.907.3284 Some say it’s the coffee. Others say it’s a fresh, hip menu and new look to go with the old favorites. Whatever the case,
Maximizing Annual Gifts
Trusts & Estate Planning Attorney by Kira S. Masteller 818.907.3244 Individuals with estates that are valued over the Federal estate tax exemption ($5,250,000 in 2013) should consider making annual gifts to their family now so
How Does the DOMA Ruling Affect Estate Planning?
Trusts & Estate Planning Attorney by Kira S. Masteller 818.907.3244 The United States Supreme Court’s ruling on Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) on June 26, declaring the definition of marriage as
Wacky Employee Claims: Reasonable Accommodations for Unreasonable Requests?
As an employment defense attorney, I often think I’ve heard it all: every conceivable employee complaint, late-to-work excuse, and “reasonable” accommodation request. Still, from time to time, I come across an employee claim that surprises
Tony Soprano’s Run In With the Tax Man
Many of us who were fans of the HBO show about a fictional New Jersey mafia family, The Sopranos, and actor James Gandolfini in particular (who played mob boss Tony Soprano), were shocked and
Post-DOMA for Employers
With the dust just settling on Wednesday’s ruling on the Defense of Marriage Act, or DOMA, and Proposition 8 federal court opinions, now is the time for employers to consider the potential impact on their
Designated Beneficiary Assets: Consider Your Income, Capital Gains & Estate Taxes
Trusts & Estate Planning Attorney by Kira S. Masteller 818.907.3244 In the third segment of our series regarding Gift Tax & Estate Planning, we’ll examine assets that require designated beneficiaries, specifically: IRA accounts, retirement accounts, life