All Articles

Berliner Cohen Announces the 2025 Small Business Grant Winner!

March 26, 2026 |

We are pleased to announce our 2025 Small Business Grant winner! Congratulations to Alma Zuniga, owner of A to Z Learning Korner, on being the 2025 recipient of our small business grant for local, minority-owned businesses. A to Z Learning Korner offers a safe, nurturing environment where children… Read More

Privacy Compliance for Growing Companies: What Founders and Employers Need to Know in 2026

March 11, 2026 |

For growth-stage companies, personal data is embedded across multiple operational functions. Payroll platforms, applicant tracking systems, customer analytics tools, marketing automation software, and cloud infrastructure all depend on the collection and processing of personal information. What was… Read More

Property Searches in Land Use Law Under the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution

March 5, 2026 |

In land use law, questions arise from time to time from property owners regarding the government’s right to inspect their private property without a warrant. The Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution provides: “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses,… Read More

New Requirements for Mass Lay Offs Under the Warn Act in 2026 and Severance Agreements

February 11, 2026 |

The news has been filled with recent layoffs, and the State of California has new rules as it relates to notice when an employer is engaging in a mass layoff. This article touches on the highlights of what is required to lay off employees in California. A lay-off decision is specific to each company… Read More

California Employer Alert: February 1st Deadline for “Know Your Rights” Notice

January 28, 2026 |

California employers have until February 1st to distribute to all current and new employees the “California Workplace – Know Your Rights” notice. Employers can provide this notice via their standard forms of communicating other information to employees.  California’s… Read More

Introducing Yao Vang to our Merced Office

January 21, 2026 |

Berliner Cohen is pleased to welcome Yao Vang to the Estate Planning department in our Merced office. Yao is an estate planning attorney, practicing in all related estate planning areas of the law. Her prior practice includes probate, trust administration, conservatorship, guardianship, business… Read More

Employers Should Review Their Bay Area Commuter Benefit Program for New IRS Limits for 2026

January 14, 2026 |

The Bay Area Commuter Benefits Program's jurisdiction covers the nine counties of the San Francisco Bay Area: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, and Sonoma (primarily southern/western parts), requiring employers with 50+ full-time employees in… Read More

Berliner Cohen Elects Three New Partners

January 13, 2026 |

Berliner Cohen, LLP is pleased to announce that David Bellumori, Eric Capron, and Blaine Cox have been elected to partner effective January 1, 2026. Mr. Bellumori is based out of our San Jose office, and Mr. Capron and Mr. Cox are based out of our Modesto office. “We are honored to announce… Read More

Independent Contractor vs Employee - Using the IRS Independent Contractor Test and the EDD Contractor Test

December 12, 2025 |

Successful businesses—whether they be corporations, limited liability companies (“LLCs”), sole proprietorships, or others—must retain talented workers who can help drive that success.  An important consideration is whether the business treats those workers as independent… Read More

Application Window Now Open for Berliner Cohen’s Annual Small Business Grant

November 12, 2025 |

As a part of our commitment to serving San Jose’s small business community, we are pleased to offer this grant opportunity of legal services and financial support to minority-owned businesses in the San Jose area. Eligibility Requirements Applicants must be a minority-owned business located in… Read More

Introducing Isaac D. Nieblas to Our San Jose Office

October 29, 2025 |

Berliner Cohen is excited to welcome Isaac D. Nieblas to the Labor & Employment Department in our San Jose office.   Isaac is a trial attorney dedicated to advocating for employers in employment disputes, including cases involving discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination, and wage… Read More

IRS Offer in Compromise (OIC): Everything You Need to Know – What Is An OIC, Eligibility, and How to Apply

October 22, 2025 |

What is an IRS Offer in Compromise (OIC)? Failure to timely pay one’s IRS tax liabilities can result in IRS penalties, asset seizure, wage garnishment, revocation or denial of passport privileges, and in extreme cases criminal prosecution.  Indeed, Al Capone, Wesley Snipes, Willie Nelson,… Read More

Congratulations to Veena Bansal, Recipient of the Queen’s Bench 2025 Rookie Award

October 17, 2025 |

Congratulations to Attorney Veena Bansal on receiving the 2025 Rookie Award at the Queen's Bench Gala! This award recognizes those with demonstrated talent, leadership, and dedication to the Queen's Bench Bar Association's mission and goals in the early years of their membership.… Read More

Introducing Judd Baguioro to Our San Jose Office

October 15, 2025 |

Berliner Cohen is pleased to welcome Judd Oliver Baguioro to the Litigation Department at our San Jose office. Judd attended Cal Poly Pomona and obtained his law degree with a concentration in Taxation from the University of California, College of the Law San Francisco. Judd has experience working… Read More

Introducing Sadiya S. Ahmed to Our San Jose Office

September 24, 2025 |

Berliner Cohen is pleased to welcome Sadiya S. Ahmed to the Litigation Department at our San Jose office. A Chicago native, Sadiya obtained her law degree at the University of Illinois College of Law. She was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 2012, and the California Bar in 2015. Sadiya is a… Read More