Meal Period Length Threatens Employee Wellbeing
The California supreme court recently decided on two important wage and hour issues in Donohue v AMN Services, LLC. First, the court decided on whether rounding time punches for meal periods is permissible under California law. Secondly, the court decided on whether a rebuttable presumption of meal period violations arises at summary judgement if time […]
What is a Qui Tam Lawsuit, and How Does it Apply to an Employee?
What is a qui tam Lawsuit? The term “qui tam” (pronounced kee-tam) finds its origin in a Latin phrase that roughly means “who as well for the king as for himself sues in this matter.” The term describes a cause of action where a private citizen, also known as a “whistleblower” or “relator,” brings a […]
Proposition 22 (Prop. 22) & Gig Worker Classification
In November, Californians voted in favor of Proposition 22 (Prop. 22), a measure which classified gig workers as independent contractors. Prop. 22 was met with controversy from those who argued that it would negatively impact workers. What can we expect its impact to be? Worker classification is a hot topic in employment law, especially with […]
3M, Workers Get Initial OK For $1.5M Settlement In Wage Case Concerning Unlawful Pay Practices
Read a story featured in Law360‘s Employment Authority service on the 3M litigation involving unlawful pay practices: Matthew Matern, Launa Adolph, and Kayvon Sabourian from Matern Law Group, PC. The article is linked below. “Law360 (March 10, 2021, 5:42 PM EST) — A California federal judge has preliminarily approved a $1.5 million settlement between 3M […]
Employment Law – Legislative Roundup
Drama and suspense ran high as lawmakers worked through the weekend until midnight last month to meet the August 31st deadline and pass bills for this year’s legislative cycle. Last-minute negotiations resulted in promising movement on important workers’ rights issues, including compensation, paid sick days, and family leave, but also gave rise to counter-measures from […]
Undocumented Farmworkers in the Time of COVID-19
As Americans shelter in place, washing hands and staying six feet away from each other, farmworkers carpool to get groceries then retreat to cramped, crowded quarters, sleeping several to a room. They are not coronavirus deniers: The pandemic terrifies them. They simply have no choice; are compelled to work yet feel disposable. Two-thirds of the […]
When it Reins, It Pours
PAGA TAKEAWAYS FROM THE SUPREME COURT’S DECISION IN KIM V. REINS On March 12, 2020, the California Supreme Court issued its opinion in Kim v. Reins, landing a highly anticipated blow in favor of employees. (Kim v. Reins Int’l California, Inc. (2020) 9 Cal.5th 73.) Most notably, the court took an “expansive approach” to standing […]
Know Your Rights: COVID-19 FAQs For Employees
During these challenging and unparalleled times we have compiled a set of resources to support you. In an effort to keep you well informed, this page will be updated regularly throughout this global crisis. Can my employer fire me if I get coronavirus? Your employer cannot fire you if you test positive for COVID-19. Negative […]
Get to Know The Top Up-And-Coming Rising Stars at MLG!
Five of our attorneys at Matern Law Group, PC were recently selected to the 2020 Southern California Rising Stars list. Dalia and Tagore additionally made the Up-and-Coming 50 Women and Up-and-Coming 100 lists! Read more about them below. Dalia Khalili Dalia Khalili has been selected to the 2020 Southern California Rising Stars list. She has […]
Five Matern Law Group Attorneys Named to the 2020 Southern California Rising Stars List
Five Matern Law Group Attorneys Named to the 2020 Southern California Rising Stars List We are pleased to announce that five attorneys at Matern Law Group, Dalia Khalili, Irina Kirnosova, Kayvon Sabourian, Tagore Subramaniam, and Julia Wells, have been selected to the 2020 Southern California Rising Stars list. This is an exclusive list, recognizing no […]
Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA): Forging Ahead
THE QUEST FOR CLARITY UNDER CALIFORNIA’S PAGA: RECENT RULINGS TO HELP YOU VALUE THE CASE A speck on the horizon: The birth of the Private Attorneys General Act statute When the California Private Attorneys General Act of 2004 (“PAGA”) was enacted, it created a new frontier in the realm of California employment law. (Lab. […]
The Compelling Evidence of MeToo
In Meeks v. AutoZone, the California Court of Appeal recently found me too evidence to have “unquestionable” probative value. If the #MeToo Movement has taught anything, it is that there is strength in numbers. Because sexual harassment cases often involve a great deal of “he said/she said” testimony, the introduction of “me too” evidence at […]
California Legislature Passes Historic Minimum Wage Increase
On April 4th, Gov. Jerry Brown signed S.B. 3 into law, a historic measure by the California legislature which will raise the state’s minimum wage to $15/hour by 2022, followed by annual adjustments for inflation. The impact of the bill will reach beyond just the 2.2 million California workers who currently make minimum wage: economists […]
Minimum Wage Law in California as of July 1, 2019
Wage and hour laws set the basic standards for pay and time worked—covering issues like minimum wage, tips, overtime, meal and rest breaks, what counts as time worked, when you must be paid, things your employer must pay for, and so on. The federal wage and hour law is called the Fair Labor Standards Act. […]
Independent Contractor vs Employee Classification: An Overview
Many workers in the United States are classified as independent contractors (IC) instead of as employees. While the IC classification is appropriate for many, many still are — often intentionally — misclassified as ICs in order to save money. This is because ICs are not entitled to the following benefits legally enjoyed by workers classified […]
Improper Background Checks and the FCRA: an Overview
Improper Background Checks and the FCRA: an Overview Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), if an employer seeks to terminate a current employee or to not hire an applicant because of information contained in a criminal or consumer background report, there are certain requirements must be met. To begin, employers must make a clear […]
Equal Pay for Women in California
Did you know that women still earn, on average, only 80 percent of what men do? Fortunately, California is leading the way when it comes to laws designed to close the gender wage gap. What is the Gender Pay Gap? In 2017, the Los Angeles Times reported that women who live in California and work […]
Root Causes and Solutions for LA’s Homeless Crisis
Please join us to discuss Root Causes and Solutions For LA’s Homeless Crisis Thursday November 16th, 2017 from 6:00 – 9:00 pm at the SLS Hotel, Beverly Hills.
Women in Technology Summit Highlights Gender Gap in Tech Industry
The 24th annual Women in Technology International (“WITI”) Summit took place from June 10-June 12, 2018 in San Jose, California. Founded in 1989, WITI is a leading worldwide authority on women in business and technology, focused on advocating women’s contributions to the tech industry, inspiring them to pursue STEM careers, and actively working with corporate […]
Root Causes and Solutions for LA’s Homeless Crisis
Root Causes and Solutions for LA’s Homeless Crisis Please join us to discuss Root Causes and Solutions For LA’s Homeless Crisis Thursday November 16th, 2017 from 6:00 – 9:00 pm at the SLS Hotel, Beverly Hills. Register by following the link below. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/root-causes-and-solutions-for-las-homeless-crisis-tickets-39500834058?aff=affiliate1
California Supreme Court Affirms Class & Broad Discovery Rights
You consult with an attorney who offers to represent you in a “wage and hour” class action case where you, as a plaintiff and class representative, will have an opportunity to represent all of the company’s California employees in a fight for unpaid wages. But how can you, as a class representative, prove that the […]
Matern Law Group Rising Stars and Super Lawyers 2017
Matern Law Group, PC is proud to announce three of its attorneys Matthew W. Gordon, Dalia Khalili, and Tagore Subramaniam, have been named to the Super Lawyers Rising Stars 2017 list. Additionally, Matthew J. Matern and Launa Adolph were named to the Super Lawyers 2017 list. Matern Law Group, PC is an employment law firm […]
Matern Law Group Super Lawyers Rising Stars and Super Lawyers 2017 Selections
Matern Law Group, PC is proud to announce three of its attorneys, Matthew W. Gordon, Dalia Khalili, and Tagore Subramaniam, have been named to the Super Lawyers Rising Stars 2017 list. Additionally, Matthew J. Matern and Launa Adolph were named to the Super Lawyers 2017 list. Matern Law Group, PC is an employment law firm with a reputation for litigation excellence. Our […]
Beverly Hills Bar Association Event
One of our Senior Associate Attorneys, Tagore Subramanian, will be speaking at the Beverly Hills Bar Association on July 19th, 2017. He has successfully litigated and favorably resolved class actions on behalf of thousands of employees.