Farella Braun + Martel LLP

With the new year comes a host of changes to laws impacting the construction industry in California. Addressed below are some of the most important new laws to be aware of. Unless otherwise noted, all of these laws take effect…more

With 2011 coming to a close, we would like to take the opportunity to remind you of the unique tax environment which we are in, allowing for $5 million of lifetime gifts (per individual, $10 million per married couple) to be…more

The California Court of Appeal recently held that the recording of a lis pendens in connection with a mechanic’s lien foreclosure action is protected by the litigation privilege and cannot support a slander of title claim, even…more

In his first legislative season, California Governor Jerry Brown has signed into law 22 employment-related bills. All but one go into effect on January 1, 2012. The most significant changes are summarized as follows. Wage…more

Insurance often drives settlements in litigation. Both defense and plaintiff's counsel need to be savvy about how claims are characterized in order to maximize available insurance coverage. Typically, the focus is on liability:…more

Just signed by Governor Brown, SB 618 (Wolk) creates, for the first time, an explicit mechanism for landowners and solar developers to remove non-prime agricultural land from existing Williamson Act contracts in order to use it…more