Another “Nuclear” Verdict Against A California Employer — $52 Million!

From California Employment Law Update on February 5, 2026

The Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act: Four Years Fraught with Confusion and Litigation

From California Employment Law Update on January 29, 2026

If it’s Tuesday, There’s a New California Regulation for That – This Time Against Venture Capital Firms!

From California Employment Law Update on January 22, 2026

California Employment Law Notes

Sexual Orientation Harassment Claim is Immune From Arbitration Under the EFAA
Quilala v. Securitas Sec. Servs. USA, Inc., 2025 WL 3639429 (Cal. Ct. App. 2025)
 
Employee’s “Misinterpretation” of the Law Did Not Preclude Recovery on Whistleblower Claim
Contreras v. Green Thumb Produce, Inc., 116 Cal. App. 5th 1251 (2025)
 
Plaintiffs Barred From Proceeding Pseudonymously
Roe v. Smith, 116 Cal. App. 5th 227 (2025)
 
Three-Year Workplace Violence Restraining Order is Upheld
County of Los Angeles v. Niblett, 116 Cal. App. 5th 454 (2025)
 
Case Was Properly Dismissed Under 5-1/2 Year Rule
Randolph v. Trustees of the Cal. State Univ., 2025 WL 3763384 (Cal. Ct. App. 2025)
 
Salvation Army Workers May Have Been Volunteers Exempt From Wage/Hour Laws
Spilman v. The Salvation Army, 2026 WL 35953 (Cal. Ct. App. 2026)
 
Lower Court Erred in Calculating Unpaid Wages and Assessing Manager’s Liability
Iloff v. LaPaille, 2025 WL 3718335 (Cal. Ct. App. 2025)
 
Strip Club Dancer Could Proceed With FLSA Retaliation Claim
Hollis v. R&R Restaurants, Inc., 159 F.4th 677 (9th Cir. 2025)
 
Employees Who Rescind Individual Settlement Agreements Might Have to Repay Compensation Received
The Merchant of Tennis, Inc. v. Superior Court, 2026 WL 102728 (Cal. Ct. App. 2026)
 
Employer Waived Arbitration by Litigating in Court For More Than Four Years
Sierra Pac. Industries Wage & Hour Cases, 116 Cal. App. 5th 1038 (2025)
 
Motion to Compel Arbitration Was Improperly Denied
Wise v. Tesla Motors, Inc., 2025 WL 3707196 (Cal. Ct. App. 2025)
 
Arbitrator’s Error in Awarding Attorney’s Fees Did Not Warrant Vacatur
VIP Mortg. Inc. v. Gates, 162 F.4th 1010 (9th Cir. 2025)
 
Miscellaneous PAGA Developments

on January 2026

Clock is Ticking for California Employers to Distribute the “Workplace Know Your Rights” Notice by February 1, 2026

From California Employment Law Update on January 9, 2026

Proskauer Prevails as Court Rejects End-Run Around Arbitration

From California Employment Law Update on January 6, 2026

Los Angeles Tops “Judicial Hellhole” List!

From California Employment Law Update on December 12, 2025

“John Doe’s” Days May Be Numbered in California Lawsuits

From California Employment Law Update on December 4, 2025

2025 Proskauer In-House Alumni Los Angeles Labor Dinner

on November 26, 2025

California Employment Law Notes

Employee Was Wrongfully Terminated After Failing Polygraph Test
McDoniel v. Kavry Mgmt., LLC, 114 Cal. App. 5th 949 (2025)
 
COVID-19 Religious Discrimination Claim Was Properly Dismissed
Detwiler v. Mid-Columbia Med. Ctr., 2025 WL 2700000 (9th Cir. 2025)
 
Employees Can Proceed With Age Discrimination Claims
Caldrone v. Circle K Stores, Inc., 2025 WL 2811320 (9th Cir. 2025)
 
Arbitration Agreement Was Unconscionable
Gurganus v. IGS Solutions LLC, 2025 WL 2944090 (Cal. Ct. App. 2025)
 
“Headless” PAGA Claim May Proceed
Galarsa v. Dolgen Cal., LLC, 115 Cal. App. 5th 1 (2025)
 
Retired Professional Football Player Is Ineligible For California Workers’ Comp Benefits
Atlanta Falcons v. WCAB, 114 Cal. App. 5th 1268 (2025)

on November 2025

California again resurrects stale sexual assault claims

From Daily Journal on November 10, 2025

California Again Resurrects Stale Sexual Assault Claims

Partner Tony Oncidi and associate Dixie Morrison write about California’s AB 250 and considerations for employers in the state.

From Daily Journal on November 3, 2025

Proskauer Earns Recognition in Benchmark Litigation 2026 Guide

on October 28, 2025

California Looks to 2026 With More Workplace Regulations

From California Employment Law Update on October 17, 2025

Special Halloween Edition! California’s Scariest Employment Law Verdicts

From California Employment Law Update on October 16, 2025

New Law Reopens Statute of Limitations for Sex Assault Suits

Partner Tony Oncidi shares insight on California’s new law that reopens a statute of limitations window for filing old sexual assault claims and considerations for employers.

From Daily Journal on October 15, 2025

The Hollywood Reporter Names Sandra Crawshaw-Sparks and Anthony Oncidi to “Top Music Lawyers” List

on October 2, 2025

California Employment Law Notes

Supreme Court Saves (But Guts) Anti-Arbitration Statute
Hohenshelt v. Golden State Foods Corp., 18 Cal. 5th 310 (2025)
 
Employer Not Liable For Co-Worker’s Off-Duty Conduct, But Should Have Better Protected Employee
Kruitbosch v. Bakersfield Recovery Servs., Inc., 2025 WL 2600238 (Cal. Ct. App. 2025)
 
Attorney Sanctioned $10,000 For Citing Nonexistent, AI-Generated Legal Authority
Noland v. Land of the Free, L.P., 2025 WL 2629868 (Cal. Ct. App. 2025)
 
Ministerial Exception Barred Employee’sDiscrimination Claims
McMahon v. World Vision, Inc., 147 F.4th 959 (9th Cir. 2025)
 
City of Las Vegas Did Not Discriminate Against Employee Based On Her Race/Gender
Lister v. City of Las Vegas, 148 F.4th 690 (9th Cir. 2025)
 
Prevailing Employee’s Counsel Was Entitled To Attorney’s Fees of $4.9 Million
Bronshteyn v. Department of Consumer Affairs, 2025 WL 2658416 (Cal. Ct. App. 2025)
 
Supreme Court Clarifies Employer’s Good Faith Defense To Liquidated Damages Claim
Iloff v. LaPaille, 18 Cal. 5th 551 (2025)
 
Employer Properly Calculated Sick Leave For Exempt Employee
Hirdman v. Charter Commc’ns, LLC, 113 Cal. App. 5th 376 (2025)
 
Union Employee’s Wage/Hour Claims Were Not Preempted By Federal Law
Renteria-Hinojosa v. Sunsweet Growers, Inc., 2025 WL 2351203 (9th Cir. 2025)

on September 2025

Fast-Tracking Union Representation? California, Uber, Lyft and SEIU Unite Behind Driver-Union Bill

From California Employment Law Update on September 16, 2025

Employer Not Liable For Co-Worker’s Harassing Off-Duty, Off-Premises Conduct But Should Have Better Protected Employee

From California Employment Law Update on September 12, 2025

Los Angeles Business Journal Names Gregory Knopp and Anthony Oncidi to “Leaders of Influence: Labor & Employment Attorneys” List

on September 10, 2025

California Supreme Court Saves but Guts Anti-Arbitration Statute

on August 19, 2025

Gregory Knopp and Anthony Oncidi Named Top Labor & Employment Lawyers by the Daily Journal

on July 30, 2025

Supreme Court Invalidates Heightened Evidentiary Standard For Majority-Group Plaintiffs

From California Employment Law Update on July 23, 2025

Employee’s Indirect Exposure To Harassing Conduct Supported $4 Million Verdict

From California Employment Law Update on July 23, 2025

Employee Who Refused To Return To Work After COVID Was Not Disabled

From California Employment Law Update on July 23, 2025

California Employment Law Notes

Supreme Court Invalidates Heightened Evidentiary Standard For Majority-Group Plaintiffs
Ames v. Ohio Dep’t of Youth Servs., 605 U.S. ___, 145 S. Ct. 1540 (2025)
 
Employee’s Indirect Exposure To Harassing Conduct Supported $4 Million Verdict
Carranza v. City of Los Angeles, 111 Cal. App. 5th 388 (2025)
 
Employee Who Refused To Return To Work After COVID Was Not Disabled
Allos v. Poway Unified Sch. Dist., 2025 WL 1864797 (Cal. Ct. App. 2025)
 
Unsuccessful Whistleblower Was Not Entitled To Recover Attorney’s Fees
Lampkin v. County of Los Angeles, 2025 WL 1874669 (Cal. Ct. App. 2025)
 
Arbitration Agreement Was Unconscionable
Velarde v. Monroe Operations, LLC, 111 Cal. App. 5th 1009 (2025)
 
“Headless” PAGA Action May Proceed In Court
CRST Expedited, Inc. v. Superior Court, 2025 WL 1874891 (Cal. Ct. App. 2025)
 
Decertification Of Class Action Upheld
Allison v. Dignity Health, 112 Cal. App. 5th 192 (2025)
 
Defendant Bore Risk Of Loss Due To Fraud When It Wired Settlement Proceeds To Imposter
Thomas v. Corbyn Restaurant Dev. Corp., 111 Cal. App. 5th 439 (2025)

on July 2025

The Infinite Workday: The Hidden Costs of an Always-On Culture

Partner Tony Oncidi is quoted discussing the legal implications of an infinite workday.

From Health Payer Specialist on July 15, 2025

New Notice Requirement for California Employers: Surviving Violent Crimes

From California Employment Law Update on July 14, 2025

Nuclear Winter: The Post-Verdict Battle in Employment Cases

From California Employment Law Update on July 7, 2025

If You’re Experiencing a Massive Jury Verdict, Hang Up and Dial 911!

From California Employment Law Update on July 1, 2025

Los Angeles Times Names Sandra Crawshaw-Sparks and Anthony Oncidi ‘Entertainment Business Visionaries’

on June 17, 2025

Proskauer Earns Top Listings on Legal 500 2025 Rankings

on June 11, 2025

Proskauer Earns Top Rankings in Chambers USA 2025

on June 5, 2025

Employer Victory in Motion to Compel Arbitration

From California Employment Law Update on June 4, 2025

California Employment Law Notes

Apple Studio’s Casting Decision Protected By The First Amendment
Sexton v. Apple Studios LLC, 110 Cal. App. 5th 183 (2025)
 
Judge’s “Extreme and Bizarre” Comments Result In Reversal Of $10 Million Verdict
Odom v. Los Angeles Cmty. Coll. Dist., 110 Cal. App. 5th 470 (2025)
 
Unsigned Contract Cannot Form Basis For Summary Judgment
De la Cruz v. Mission Hills Shopping Ctr. LLC, 2025 WL 1218040 (Cal. Ct. App. 2025)
 
Company’s President And CFO Are Liable For Filing Inaccurate Tax Forms
Nazaryan v. FemtoMetrix, Inc., 2025 WL 1177060 (Cal. Ct. App. 2025)
 
Plaintiffs Waived Right To Arbitrate By Litigating In Court
Hofer v. Boladian, 2025 WL 1354795 (Cal. Ct. App. 2025)
 
Federal Court Lacked Jurisdiction To Confirm Zero-Dollar Arbitration Award
Tesla Motors, Inc. v. Balan, 134 F.4th 558 (9th Cir. 2025)
 
Prospective Meal Period Waiver Is Enforceable
Bradsbery v. Vicar Operating, Inc., 110 Cal. App. 5th 899 (2025)
 
PAGA Plaintiff Must Have Viable Individual Claim To Represent Other Employees
Williams v. Alacrity Solutions Grp., LLC, 110 Cal. App. 5th 932 (2025)

on May 2025

“Somebody’s Watching Me” – What You Need to Know About California’s Proposed AI Employee Surveillance Laws

From California Employment Law Update on May 13, 2025

“Close Enough for Government Work” – California Pays Retiring Prison Dentist $1.2 Million for Unused Vacation Days!

From California Employment Law Update on April 24, 2025

Sandra Crawshaw-Sparks and Anthony Oncidi Named to Billboard’s 2025 Top Music Lawyers List

on April 21, 2025

Court Reverses $10 Million Sexual Harassment Verdict Due To Judge’s “Bizarre Comments”

From California Employment Law Update on April 14, 2025