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AdobeStock_1099092318-300x132California’s 2024 legislative session concluded with Governor Gavin Newsom approving several critical bills that will impact workplace policies starting January 1, 2025. These new laws cover a broad spectrum of areas, including anti-discrimination protections, paid family leave, freelance worker rights, and more. Employers need to review and update their policies, handbooks, and training programs to ensure compliance. Below are some of the most notable updates for 2025.

1. Minimum Wage Increase for 2025

Starting January 1, 2025, California’s statewide minimum wage will increase to $16.50 per hour for all employers, regardless of size. This increase is part of the state’s ongoing effort to keep up with the cost of living and ensure fair wages for workers.

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AdobeStock_164449269-300x2001. Some corporations undertake extreme Corporate Social Responsibility (“CSR”) initiatives, such as pledging to donate a significant portion of their profits to social causes or implementing radical environmental sustainability measures. While these practices can enhance a business’s  reputation, they are not always without legal and financial risks.

Legal Implications:

  • Fiduciary Duty: Companies must balance their CSR goals with their fiduciary duties to shareholders. Excessive spending on CSR initiatives could lead to legal challenges if shareholders believe it adversely affects their returns.
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AdobeStock_883988613-300x200In the construction and property improvement industry, payment disputes frequently arise, creating significant financial stress for contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers. Understanding your rights and the available remedies is essential for navigating these disputes effectively. This blog will explore one of the most powerful tools available to those in the construction industry: mechanic’s liens, along with other remedies to resolve payment disputes.

What is a Mechanic’s Lien?

A mechanic’s lien is a legal claim against a property that has been improved or repaired. It gives contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers the right to seek payment for the work they have performed or materials they have provided. By filing a mechanic’s lien, the lienholder can secure their interest in the property, which can ultimately lead to payment through the sale of the property if necessary.

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AdobeStock_453563458-300x200Corporate mascots and logos are integral components of brand identity, often becoming iconic figures in popular culture. The creation and use of these characters can give rise to intricate legal challenges. This article examines some of the most notable mascots and logos, highlighting the legal complexities involved in their protection, and utilization.

Before delving into specific case studies, it’s essential to understand what a trademark is and the legal framework underpinning the protection of corporate mascots and logos.

A trademark is a recognizable sign, design, symbol, mascots, word, or phrase that distinguishes goods or services of one company from those of others. The importance of a trademark springs from the necessity to assist consumers identify the source of the goods or services that they are acquiring. By ensuring that consumers can reliably recognize a brand, trademarks play a crucial role in fostering trust and loyalty between customers and a company.

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AdobeStock_857536293-300x168Corporations, those big players in today’s global economy, have come a long way since their early days in ancient Rome. Let’s take a look at how these entities evolved over time and what that means for the future of business.

Ancient Beginnings

It all started in ancient Rome, where early forms of business entities began to take shape. The Roman legal system laid the groundwork for what would eventually become modern corporations. Back then, these entities were more like collaborative partnerships, with limited liability for the partners—a far cry from the multinational giants we see today.

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AdobeStock_502835611-300x200The gig economy provides flexibility and autonomy, but it also comes with important legal responsibilities. With the rise of gig work, the legal landscape has grown increasingly complex, particularly around worker classification and the application of labor laws. In a tech-forward city like San Jose, these evolving legal challenges have a significant impact.

1. Worker Classification: Employee or Independent Contractor?

One of the primary legal concerns in the gig economy is determining whether a worker is classified as an employee or an independent contractor. This distinction is crucial because it dictates the rights, obligations, and benefits—such as minimum wage, overtime pay, and health insurance—that both the worker and the business must follow. In California, the “ABC test,” introduced under Assembly Bill 5 (AB 5) in 2020, remains a key standard for determining worker status.

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AdobeStock_777848814-300x168The world of corporate law might seem dry to some, but television shows and movies have a way of bringing it to life with drama, intrigue, and high stakes. While these portrayals are meant to entertain, they also offer valuable insights into the complexities of corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property, and employment law. Let’s take a look at some of the lessons we can learn from how corporate law is depicted in pop culture.

Mergers and Acquisitions: More Than Just Business

If you’ve ever watched Succession, you’ve seen how the show dramatizes the intricacies of mergers and acquisitions (M&A). Hostile takeovers, shareholder activism, and the challenges of merging different corporate cultures are all part of the storyline. While these elements are heightened for dramatic effect, they mirror the real-world challenges of M&A. Businesses involved in these deals must navigate complex legal frameworks, manage stakeholder interests, and integrate operations—all while striving to remain profitable. The show highlights the critical importance of strategic planning and legal due diligence, reminding us that any misstep can lead to catastrophic consequences.

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AdobeStock_439037030-300x215Businesses of any size can benefit from the services of an experienced San Jose employment attorney. The employment lawyers at Structure Law Group represent companies ranging from one-member LLCs to Fortune 500 firms employing thousands of workers. Here are just a few examples of what our employment attorneys can do for you and your business.

Making Sure You Have Effective Employment Practices

The moment that your company employs its first worker, whether it is a W-2 employee or a 1099 contractor, you incur a number of legal obligations and responsibilities. These relationships require effective management both from a personal and a legal perspective. A qualified employment attorney can help you with the latter in a number of ways, including but not limited to:

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AdobeStock_277580884-300x200No matter what size Texas business you run, social media has become critical for brand visibility, customer engagement, and market insight. Compared to traditional advertising channels, social media is a cost-effective marketing tool that builds brand loyalty, targets specific audiences, and provides a platform for direct customer interaction, which drives sales and growth.

Social media is essential for staying competitive in today’s digital landscape, and companies need a social strategy. This includes figuring out how your business should use social media to promote its goods and services. It also means establishing the right social media policy for your employees.

Many Texas employers are uncertain of their rights when regulating employees’ social media use. Indeed, there are a number of potential traps that an uninformed employer may fall into when attempting to come up with a consistent set of rules. A qualified Structure Law Group Texas employment attorney can assist you in drafting, reviewing, and revising a social media policy that can work for both management and your employees.

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AdobeStock_790253626-300x158Artificial intelligence (“AI”) is rapidly transforming the workplace, with significant implications for hiring and employment practices. While AI can offer potential benefits such as efficient and streamlined operations boosted workforce productivity, improved decision-making, and enhanced employee experience, it can also introduce significant legal challenges. This article examines the key legal considerations that businesses operating in Texas should address as they navigate the evolving AI landscape for hiring and employment practices. By understanding these challenges and implementing proactive strategies, Texas-based businesses can harness the power of AI while mitigating legal risks and ensuring fair employment practices.

The Growing Use of AI in Employment

Employers are increasingly utilizing AI-powered platforms in recruitment to identify potential candidates, often relying on data from social media. Algorithms are used to assess candidate profiles, sometimes making initial decisions about their suitability for a role. Automated interviews conducted entirely or partially by AI are becoming more common, employing natural language processing and facial recognition to analyze candidate responses. Beyond hiring, AI tools are also being used in performance evaluations, helping to assess employee strengths, weaknesses, and potential areas for development.

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