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Fred Alvarez

Citizenship and Immigration Status Is Now Categorized as Sensitive Personal Information under California Law

On October 8, 2023, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law AB-947, which expanded the category of “sensitive personal information” to include citizenship or immigration status. The category of sensitive personal… more

California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), Citizenship, Corporate Counsel, Data Collection, Data Privacy

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Abraham Andrade III

2023 Mid-Year Labor and Employment Update

We are halfway through 2023 so it is a good time to look back on this year’s employment law developments so far and look forward to what lies ahead. What follows is a short overview of the legal changes that we are monitoring… more

Arbitration, Diversity and Inclusion Standards (D&I), Employees, Employer Liability Issues, Hiring & Firing

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David Beach

Five Lessons All Companies Can Learn From The Equifax Data Breach

The Equifax data breach has dominated news headlines for weeks, and Equifax will be dealing with the legal and financial fallout from the breach for many years. While many companies may be relieved not to be in Equifax's… more

Credit Reporting Agencies, Cyber Attacks, Cyber Insurance, Cybersecurity, Data Breach

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Jeffry Bernstein

2023 Reduction In Property Taxes (Prop 8)

Office vacancies have caused the values of Bay Area commercial real property to significantly decline in 2022. The value of real property that is used to determine the property tax assessment for the 2023-2024 fiscal year (which… more

Bay Area, California, Commercial Tenants, Office Space, Property Tax

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Wendy Bleiman

2019 Federal and California Income Tax Payment Deadlines Extended

[Updated March 20, 2020] Individual Taxpayers. On March 20, 2020, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin announced that, at the President’s direction, “we are moving Tax Day from April 15 to July 15.” While no formal notice has… more

Coronavirus/COVID-19, Crisis Management, Deadlines, Income Taxes, IRS

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Brandi Brown

GPS Monitoring Of Employees In California: Do You Know Where Your Employees Are? Are You Allowed To Know?

With the advent of cost-effective GPS devices and smartphone tracking apps, employers may effectively monitor their workforce like never before. An employee’s distance traveled, sales routes, and productivity (among other… more

California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), Electronic Monitoring, Employee Privacy Rights, Employee Tracking, Employer Liability Issues

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Mari Clifford

California Assembly Weighs Nation’s Broadest AI-Driven Workplace Surveillance Bill: AB 1221 Raises the Bar, and the Stakes, for Employers

In a move that could reshape day-to-day people-management practices across the state, the California Legislature is advancing Assembly Bill 1221 (“AB 1221”), a sweeping proposal that would regulate how employers deploy… more

Artificial Intelligence, California, Data Privacy, Employee Monitoring, Employee Rights

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Leah Collins

UPDATE – Status of Eviction Moratoriums Protecting Residential and Commercial Tenants in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic

Since we last reported on this topic, many of the residential and commercial eviction moratoriums that were enacted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic have been amended, replaced and/or extended. These moratoriums are… more

Commercial Leases, Commercial Tenants, Coronavirus/COVID-19, Eviction, Landlords

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Caitlin Connell

UPDATE: San Francisco Empty Homes Tax – Superior Court Judge Strikes Down San Francisco Empty Homes Tax, Grants Challengers’ Motion for Summary Judgment

As discussed in our last update on the November 2022 Proposition M, Empty Homes Tax Ordinance (the “Empty Homes Tax”), the San Francisco Apartment Association, the Small Property Owners of San Francisco Institute, the San… more

California, Local Ordinance, San Francisco, Tax Rates, Tax Reform

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Timothy Crudo

Landmark Second Circuit Ruling Clarifies the Standards for Mobile Contracts

On August 17, 2017, the United States Second Circuit Court of Appeals issued a landmark ruling in Meyer v. Kalanick that clarifies the standards for contract formation in the age of smartphones and mobile contracting, providing… more

Arbitration, Clickwrap Agreements, Contract Terms, Corporate Counsel, Mandatory Arbitration Clauses

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Lindsay Gehman

Beyond the FTC: Consumer Class Actions Are Redefining Influencer Marketing Risk

The influencer marketing ecosystem has evolved into a multibillion-dollar engine of digital commerce, delivering measurable ROI to brands across industries. However, as the industry matures, so too does the legal landscape… more

Advertising, Consumer Protection Laws, Corporate Counsel, Disclosure Requirements, Endorsements

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Daniel Gershwin

As San Francisco Fails to Meet Its Housing Goals, the City’s Approval Process for Housing Projects Just Got Much (Much) Faster and Easier

As expected, on June 28, the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) determined that San Francisco has not made adequate progress toward its State-mandated housing production goal. The City’s Housing… more

Affordable Housing, California, Community Development, Construction Project, Housing Developers

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Katherine Gianelli

U.S. Trademark Fee Changes and Increases Coming January 18, 2025—What Trademark Owners Should Know

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) has issued its Final Rule with adjusted filing fees at all stages of trademark application and maintenance filings. The fee increases, which take effect on January 18, 2025,… more

Electronic Filing, Fees, Filing Fees, Intellectual Property Protection, Trademark Application

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Saachi Gorinstein

Beyond the FTC: Consumer Class Actions Are Redefining Influencer Marketing Risk

The influencer marketing ecosystem has evolved into a multibillion-dollar engine of digital commerce, delivering measurable ROI to brands across industries. However, as the industry matures, so too does the legal landscape… more

Advertising, Consumer Protection Laws, Corporate Counsel, Disclosure Requirements, Endorsements

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Scott Hall

California Assembly Weighs Nation’s Broadest AI-Driven Workplace Surveillance Bill: AB 1221 Raises the Bar, and the Stakes, for Employers

In a move that could reshape day-to-day people-management practices across the state, the California Legislature is advancing Assembly Bill 1221 (“AB 1221”), a sweeping proposal that would regulate how employers deploy… more

Artificial Intelligence, California, Data Privacy, Employee Monitoring, Employee Rights

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Thomas Harvey

U.S. Supreme Court Rejects Willfulness Requirement for Trademark Infringement Profits

Brand owners now have greater incentive for pursuing infringers of their trademarks under a recent Supreme Court decision. Last week, the high court resolved a dispute between the circuits, ruling that trademark owners may… more

§ 1125(a), § 1125(c), Appeals, Burden of Proof, Charge-Filing Preconditions

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Mark Hejinian

Landmark Second Circuit Ruling Clarifies the Standards for Mobile Contracts

On August 17, 2017, the United States Second Circuit Court of Appeals issued a landmark ruling in Meyer v. Kalanick that clarifies the standards for contract formation in the age of smartphones and mobile contracting, providing… more

Arbitration, Clickwrap Agreements, Contract Terms, Corporate Counsel, Mandatory Arbitration Clauses

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Eric Hieber

Bay Area Construction Resumes Under New Orders

On April 29, 2020, six Bay Area counties – Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara – as well as the City of Berkeley, each issued substantially similar updates to their extended local… more

Business Closures, Construction Project, Coronavirus/COVID-19, Critical Infrastructure Sectors, Operators of Essential Services

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Robert Hodil

California Supreme Court Upholds UC Berkeley’s Long Range Development Plan and People’s Park Housing Project Approvals

The California Supreme Court recently upheld the Environmental Impact Report (“EIR”) for the Long Range Development Plan (“LRDP”) for the University of California Berkeley (“UC Berkeley”) and a controversial housing project at a… more

California, CEQA, City of Berkeley, Environmental Impact Report (EIR), Environmental Policies

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Miles Imwalle

“Near-Miss” CEQA Streamlining: New Option to Reduce Scope of Review for Housing Development Projects

Following up on our earlier coverage of the new California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) exemption passed as part of budget trailer bill AB 130, another significant CEQA pathway was created through its companion legislation,… more

California, CEQA, Environmental Impact Report (EIR), Environmental Review, Exemptions

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Megan Jennings

“Near-Miss” CEQA Streamlining: New Option to Reduce Scope of Review for Housing Development Projects

Following up on our earlier coverage of the new California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) exemption passed as part of budget trailer bill AB 130, another significant CEQA pathway was created through its companion legislation,… more

California, CEQA, Environmental Impact Report (EIR), Environmental Review, Exemptions

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Hannah Jones

2023 Mid-Year Labor and Employment Update

We are halfway through 2023 so it is a good time to look back on this year’s employment law developments so far and look forward to what lies ahead. What follows is a short overview of the legal changes that we are monitoring… more

Arbitration, Diversity and Inclusion Standards (D&I), Employees, Employer Liability Issues, Hiring & Firing

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Skye Langs

Summary of Select 2024 California Real Estate and Land Use Cases Impacting Real Estate Developers

On January 21, 2025, Coblentz litigation partner Skye Langs presented for the Bar Association of San Francisco’s Real Property section on the following real estate and land use cases from 2024… more

Affordable Housing, Appeals, California, CEQA, Environmental Impact Report (EIR)

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Sabrina Larson

U.S. Trademark Fee Changes and Increases Coming January 18, 2025—What Trademark Owners Should Know

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) has issued its Final Rule with adjusted filing fees at all stages of trademark application and maintenance filings. The fee increases, which take effect on January 18, 2025,… more

Electronic Filing, Fees, Filing Fees, Intellectual Property Protection, Trademark Application

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Emlyn Mandel

DOJ and SEC Release Updated Guidance On The FCPA

The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act doesn’t ensnare just those involved in foreign corruption. It also can cover conduct in the United States that has nothing to do with either foreign officials or bribery schemes. So the recent… more

Accounting Standards, Affirmative Defenses, Anti-Bribery, Compliance, Deferred Prosecution Agreements

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Max Martinez

Federal Reserve to Implement New ISO 20022 Funds Wiring System

Due to the Federal Reserve’s imminent shift to a new funds wiring system (known as ISO 20022), if you have upcoming plans to transfer any amount of funds via wire transfer, confirm with your bank and anyone else handling your… more

Banks, Federal Reserve, Financial Institutions, Financial Services Industry, New Regulations

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Rees Morgan

Landmark Second Circuit Ruling Clarifies the Standards for Mobile Contracts

On August 17, 2017, the United States Second Circuit Court of Appeals issued a landmark ruling in Meyer v. Kalanick that clarifies the standards for contract formation in the age of smartphones and mobile contracting, providing… more

Arbitration, Clickwrap Agreements, Contract Terms, Corporate Counsel, Mandatory Arbitration Clauses

See all updates »

Allison Moser

2023 Mid-Year Labor and Employment Update

We are halfway through 2023 so it is a good time to look back on this year’s employment law developments so far and look forward to what lies ahead. What follows is a short overview of the legal changes that we are monitoring… more

Arbitration, Diversity and Inclusion Standards (D&I), Employees, Employer Liability Issues, Hiring & Firing

See all updates »

Rosanna Marrero Neagle

2023 Mid-Year Labor and Employment Update

We are halfway through 2023 so it is a good time to look back on this year’s employment law developments so far and look forward to what lies ahead. What follows is a short overview of the legal changes that we are monitoring… more

Arbitration, Diversity and Inclusion Standards (D&I), Employees, Employer Liability Issues, Hiring & Firing

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Alyssa Netto

“Near-Miss” CEQA Streamlining: New Option to Reduce Scope of Review for Housing Development Projects

Following up on our earlier coverage of the new California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) exemption passed as part of budget trailer bill AB 130, another significant CEQA pathway was created through its companion legislation,… more

California, CEQA, Environmental Impact Report (EIR), Environmental Review, Exemptions

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Bina Patel

[Webinar] 2024 Privacy Overview: How to Ensure Compliance and Reduce Business Risk - September 24th, 10:00 am - 11:15 am PT

2024 has been another big year for privacy, with significant developments happening almost daily. Several new state privacy laws are going into effect, with several more coming in 2025, and discussions surrounding a potential… more

Artificial Intelligence, Consumer Privacy Rights, Continuing Legal Education, Data Privacy, Data Protection

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Sarah Peterson

Trial Court Decisions Illustrate SB 35’s Power

SB 35 was one of the most prominent bills to come out of a package of housing-related laws enacted by the California legislature in 2017. It promised to allow swift approval of developments that were consistent with local zoning… more

Housing Market, Municipalities, Planning Approval Process, Real Estate Development, Urban Planning & Development

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Kyle Recker

Federal Reserve to Implement New ISO 20022 Funds Wiring System

Due to the Federal Reserve’s imminent shift to a new funds wiring system (known as ISO 20022), if you have upcoming plans to transfer any amount of funds via wire transfer, confirm with your bank and anyone else handling your… more

Banks, Federal Reserve, Financial Institutions, Financial Services Industry, New Regulations

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Laura Seegal

Another Warning Shot On Employee Nonsolicit Agreements

It’s time to take another hard look at whether it’s worth it for employers to ask their departing employees not to recruit anyone away after they leave. Nobody wants their former employees to raid the ranks of their current… more

Confidential Information, Contract Terms, Employer Liability Issues, Employment Contract, Employment Litigation

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Craig Spencer

What We're Reading, Watching, and Listening To: June 2025

A roundup of news and multimedia from the Unfamiliar Terrain team: San Francisco - Mayor Lurie names new S.F. planning director (SF Chronicle): Sarah Dennis Phillips has been named the City’s planning director, replacing… more

Affordable Housing, California, Commercial Real Estate Market, Construction Industry, Housing Market

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Matthew Stone

What We're Reading, Watching, and Listening To: June 2025

A roundup of news and multimedia from the Unfamiliar Terrain team: San Francisco - Mayor Lurie names new S.F. planning director (SF Chronicle): Sarah Dennis Phillips has been named the City’s planning director, replacing… more

Affordable Housing, California, Commercial Real Estate Market, Construction Industry, Housing Market

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Katharine Van Dusen

Supreme Court Impact Fee Decision Creates Opportunities for Developers and Property Owners

On April 12, 2024, the United States Supreme Court issued an opinion that may significantly affect how development impact fees are assessed in California. In Sheetz v. County of El Dorado, the Court unanimously held that… more

Building Permits, California, Constitutional Challenges, Construction Project, Dolan v City of Tigard

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Tay Via

2024 Housing Legislation Overview: Major Pending Bills on the Governor’s Desk

During the 2024 California Legislative Session, which closed on August 31, the State Legislature again passed many bills seeking to ease the state’s housing crisis. This post focuses on key housing-related bills that are, at the… more

Affordable Housing, California, Governor Newsom, State and Local Government, Urban Planning & Development

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Peter Wang

UPDATED – The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) Requires Companies to Disclose Beneficial Owners

This alert updates our initial alert on the CTA published on March 1, 2021, to reflect the final rule published by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) bureau of the U.S. Department of the Treasury on September 30,… more

Beneficial Owner, Corporate Transparency Act, FinCEN, National Security, NDAA

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Ashley Weinstein-Carnes

2023 Housing Legislation Overview – Major Signed and Pending Bills

The 2023 California Legislative Session, which closed on September 14, was dominated yet again by efforts to address the state’s continued housing crisis. For the last several years, we have written about many bills enacted with… more

Affordable Housing, CEQA, Construction Project, Environmental Policies, Environmental Review

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Christopher Westman

SEC Expands Accredited Investor Definition to Increase Participation in Private Offerings

On August 26, 2020, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) adopted new final rules intended to modernize the existing rules, and provide additional flexibility for certain entities and individuals the SEC deems financially… more

Accredited Investors, Family Offices, Final Rules, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), Investors

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Christopher Wiener

Supreme Court Extends Copyright Damages Beyond Three Years

Key Takeaways - Last week, in Warner Chappell Music, Inc. v. Nealy, the Supreme Court held that a copyright owner with a timely claim for infringement can recover damages “no matter when the infringement occurred” and with… more

Copyright, Copyright Infringement, Copyright Litigation, Damages, Intellectual Property Protection

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Jessica Wilson

UPDATE: San Francisco Empty Homes Tax – Superior Court Judge Strikes Down San Francisco Empty Homes Tax, Grants Challengers’ Motion for Summary Judgment

As discussed in our last update on the November 2022 Proposition M, Empty Homes Tax Ordinance (the “Empty Homes Tax”), the San Francisco Apartment Association, the Small Property Owners of San Francisco Institute, the San… more

California, Local Ordinance, San Francisco, Tax Rates, Tax Reform

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Charmaine Yu

2023 Mid-Year Labor and Employment Update

We are halfway through 2023 so it is a good time to look back on this year’s employment law developments so far and look forward to what lies ahead. What follows is a short overview of the legal changes that we are monitoring… more

Arbitration, Diversity and Inclusion Standards (D&I), Employees, Employer Liability Issues, Hiring & Firing

See all updates »

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