818.501.4343March 20, 2023
Ninth Circuit Blocks California’s Ban on Mandatory Arbitration Agreements
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the FAA preempts AB 51, a 2019 CA measure that prohibited employers mandating workers to sign arbitration agreements. Corinne Spencer and Antwoin Wall discuss steps companies should take to be in compliance with The Recorder.
Read what you need to know here.
SB-1162 and Its Impacts on California Employers
California’s employment laws have become even tougher since SB-1162 took effect, requiring pay scale data to be included in employment ads and increased employer reporting requirements. Antwoin Wall spoke with Los Angeles radio stations, KFI-AM and KNX News, about the new law and its impact.
More details here.
How Coinbase Inc. Will Affect Arbitration Cost Efficiency
A consumer arbitration case against Coinbase Inc. currently before the U.S. Supreme Court will affect the cost-efficiency of arbitration for employers. Read Corinne Spencer’s interview on how this could impact employers with Society for Human Resource Management.
Legal Roundup: Workers’ Compensation News
Notable WCAB Decisions on SJDB Vouchers
The Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) recently issued two notable decisions to employers and insurers, related to whether applicants were entitled to supplemental job displacement benefit (SJDB) vouchers. Raymond Correio outlines what you need to know here.
WCAB Guidance on Attorney-Client Privilege
In Molina v. Basset Unified School District, the WCAB panel addressed discovery issues involving an investigative report obtained by the defendant’s counsel about an applicant. The panel remanded the case with an insightful discussion of case law and correct procedure where there is a claim of attorney-client privilege and attorney work product. Read about the case in Raymond Correio’s article.
Rare Application of Case Law in Oakland Raiders Injury Case
In Boss v. Oakland Raiders, the applicant suffered post-concussive syndrome and mild neurocognitive disorder due to traumatic brain injury. To arrive at a 42% permanent disability award, the workers’ compensation judge combined two impairments from different medical specialists. Read more in this article by Raymond Correio.
PBW In The Spotlight
Corinne Spencer Named to Leaders Of Influence: Trusted Advisors 2023 List
Recognized for her contributions to the Valley’s business landscape, Corinne Spencer was named to San Fernando Valley Business Journal’s Leaders Of Influence: Trusted Advisors 2023 List. Full list here.
Barry Pearlman Named a Super Lawyer
For the sixteenth time, Barry Pearlman was named a 2023 Southern California Super Lawyer for his work in employment litigation defending employers, insurance carriers and third-party administrators in complex employment law and workers’ compensation matters. Full announcement here.
Corinne Spencer Participates in Labor & Employment Roundtable
Corinne Spencer and other employment experts joined SFVBJ’s roundtable on the current state of labor legislation, changes in the labor law landscape due to COVID, the new rules of hiring and firing, and other recent trends. Read the discussion here.