Businesses around the country, and world, are grappling with how to handle the myriad of issues arising in the wake of COVID-19. This FAQ Sheet is meant to address some of the most common questions that Berliner Cohen is fielding from companies. The law is changing daily. We are doing our best to… Read More
The continuing spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is impacting workplaces in the Bay Area and employers should be aware of the practical guidelines aimed to slow the spread of COVID-19. Last week Santa Clara County’s Public Health Department (SCCPH) issued new guidance for… Read More
It would be a rare case that an Employer hasn’t heard about the spreading of coronavirus through California, other states as well as Internationally. Coronavirus is a respiratory virus originating from China. The spread of the coronavirus coupled with migrant workforce raises a web of… Read More
Pursuant to Civil Code Section 1749.5, it is unlawful to sell gift certificates or gift cards with an expiration date. It is also unlawful to refuse to redeem for cash when the certificate value is less than $10. Different rules may apply to promotional and discount certificates, or group gift… Read More
Types of service animals Restaurants must allow access to customers accompanied by service animals trained to assist disabled persons, regardless of any conflicting health regulations, local ordinances or internal policies. Both disabled persons and trainers are allowed access with their service… Read More
There are numerous articles and seminars going over the hundreds of new California laws. The amount of changes business and employers are facing is downright overwhelming. However, there are a few achievable goals Employers can take now to start off the new year. Update Your Forms on New Posting… Read More
Cancellations cost many business owners hundreds if not thousands of dollars each year. Many restaurants have been trying to find ways to avoid losses that otherwise would be incurred due to customers cancelling reservations or otherwise over reserving space and then at the last minute changing… Read More
Berliner Cohen values building long-lasting relationships with our clients and we are dedicated to protecting and preserving what is important to each client. We foster collaborative, innovative problem solving and are structured to leverage the expertise of all our staff in order to provide the… Read More
Disputes are a fact of life and courts exist to resolve them. Yet the costs of traditional litigation, frequent delays, and lack of faith in juries compel consideration of other options, collected under the term “Alternative Dispute Resolution” or “ADR.” The… Read More
This article summarizes the salient provisions of SB330 (the “Bill”), which was signed into law by Governor Newsom on October 9, 2019. This is a much-publicized and debated bill that enacts the most sweeping legislation affecting housing projects since the spate of such actions in… Read More
Foreign information reporting (i.e., reporting the existence of certain foreign/overseas assets) may be required for any “United Sates person.” The term “United States person” is broadly defined, and includes United States citizens, United States residents (such as… Read More
Every so often you can read a U.S. Supreme Court case that makes perfect sense – until it doesn’t. At that point you realize that there is an extensive subtext to the case that explains the divergent positions of the Majority and the Dissent. A recent example is the case of Knick… Read More
Berliner Cohen is proud to announce that we celebrated 50 years of providing legal excellence to businesses, families and individuals in California in August of 2019! “We celebrate the legacy of those individuals who built our firm and their dedication to creating a solid… Read More
After five- and one-half years of litigation, a dispute between Berliner Cohen’s developer client and a school district over the validity of school fees assessed by the District on a residential housing project has come to an end. The result was a judgment ordering the District to refund in… Read More
Navigating the mire of regulations affecting employers is difficult and one often overlooked area is local ordinances. Employers need to be aware of their city and county’s minimum wage ordinances. On July 1, 2019, several local minimum wage rates will increase, and two new local minimum wage… Read More