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Litigation Vivek Shah CIPA Demand Letters Against Business Websites: How to Respond

Vivek Shah, a serial pro se litigant, has been sending pre-litigation demand letters and filing lawsuits against businesses across the country alleging violations of California’s Invasion of Privacy Act (CIPA), Cal. Penal Code § 631(a). These demands focus on website search bars or forms that allegedly transmit user-entered content (such as a name typed into […]

California’s Automatic Renewal Laws: How to Defend A Growing Wave of Class Action Lawsuits Targeting Subscription-Based Businesses

California businesses offering subscription services, from skincare products to online memberships, are increasingly finding themselves in the crosshairs of class action lawsuits alleging violations of the state’s Automatic Renewal Law (ARL). Enacted in 2010 and codified in California Business & Professions Code §§ 17600-17606, the ARL was designed to protect consumers from unauthorized recurring charges […]

Real Estate New FinCEN Reporting Rules Effective March 1, 2026

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) adopted a new residential real estate rule that will have a direct impact on purchasers of homes in the United States. Starting March 1, 2026, FinCEN’s new residential real estate rule will require certain individuals involved in real estate closings and settlements to file reports with FinCEN. These reports, […]

Bankruptcy California Court of Appeal Confirms Quasi-Judicial Immunity for Receivers

A new court decision confirms that receivers cannot be sued for decisions made in the exercise of their judgment, even if those decisions later prove to be wrong. In Semaan v. Mosier, G064385, (Cal. Ct. App. Feb. 5, 2026), a California case of first impression, the Court of Appeal held that court-appointed receivers in California are […]

Taxation and Trusts & Estates Essential Estate Planning Strategies in the San Francisco Bay Area

In the vibrant San Francisco Bay Area, where innovation drives businesses, having a well-constructed estate plan can help prevent unnecessary taxes, unnecessary court delays, and damaging family disputes. This article provides practical advice with special considerations for business owners and tech founders.  Navigating Estate and Gift Taxes: Key Rules and Updates for 2026 and Beyond […]

Labor & Employment Notable Local Ordinances Taking Effect in 2026

As employers prepare for 2026, it is increasingly important to monitor not only state-level employment law changes but also the wave of local ordinances emerging across California. With 58 counties and hundreds of cities, which include some of the largest and most heavily regulated jurisdictions in the country, California’s patchwork of local rules continues to […]

Labor & Employment SB 553 One Year Later: Key Lessons and Required Next Steps for Employers

It has been more than a year since SB 553 (California’s comprehensive workplace-violence prevention law) became mandatory for most California employers. Employers now enter the first cycle of annual review and retraining, and Cal/OSHA’s expectations are rising. Before SB 553, workplace-violence policies were largely elective and inconsistent. Plans were often generic, rarely updated, and reactive […]