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Marijuana legalization: The trouble of patents
Last updated on October 28, 2026When certain businesses become legal for the first time, there can be difficulties with legality and intellectual property. Take for instance the current aim to legalize marijuana sales within the United States. In some states, it’s only legal as medical marijuana, whereas it’s legal to use recreationally in others. The difficulty that has now arisen is that marijuana, since…
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Yasmine Hussien recognized as 2016 Superlawyer
Last updated on October 28, 2026Larson & Gaston, LLP is pleased to announce that Yasmine Hussien was recognized in the 2016 Southern California Super Lawyers Magazine. “We are very proud of Yasmine. She’s a wonderful young attorney and sure to have an amazing career,” said Managing Partner, John Larson. “This recognition by her peers, her second in two years, is a tribute to her dedication to her…
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When disputes arise over employment contracts
Last updated on October 28, 2026The conduct of an employee while they are with a business and after they leave the business can have some rather significant effects on the business as a whole. This is one of the reasons why business owners often put a great deal of time and energy into the content of their contractual agreements with employees. There are many…
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How to tell if you have an intellectual property case or not
Last updated on October 28, 2026Whether you’re an inventor or a writer, an entrepreneur or an actor, protecting your creativity and innovation are probably incredibly important to you. This is especially true if you rely on your talent for your livelihood. But because of complexities within the law, it can be difficult for the everyday person to know if their intellectual property is being…
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Making the most of your sale or acquisition
Last updated on October 19, 2026Selling your business? 7 moments when legal counsel protects your sale Selling a business involves far more than agreeing on a price. From negotiating your broker agreement to overseeing what happens after closing, a lawyer protects your leverage, your terms, and your payout at eight key points in the process, starting well before the purchase agreement is signed. Mergers…
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Young v. United Parcel Service: Did UPS commit discrimination?
Last updated on October 5, 2026As Lenora Lapidus, director of Women’s Rights Project at the American Civil Liberties Union, said it best, “pregnant women should never have to choose between their job and their pregnancy.” As you may know, this was one of the very things that the addition of pregnancy discrimination to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act was supposed to put…
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Force Majeure is a Challenging Defense to Per Diem Charges
Last updated on October 5, 2026We’ve written twice recently, here and here about per diem disputes between motor carriers and equipment providers. This issue heated up over the fall and winter of 2014-2015 when many disputes were submitted to arbitration by the motor carriers. According to a report from the Journal of Commerce this past May 2015, as of May 11, 2015, the Intermodal Association Of North America (IANA)…
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Pasadena Magazine Recognizes Larson & Gaston Lawyers as 2015 Top Attorneys
Last updated on October 5, 2026Larson & Gaston, LLP is proud to announce that Pasadena Magazine has recognized four of its lawyers at Top Attorneys for 2015. This year John Larson was recognized in the categories of Insurance Law and Civil Litigation. Daniel Gaston and Victor Cosentino were recognized in the category of Business Law. Gloria Medel was recognized for her work in Civil Litigation Pasadena Magazine annually reaches polls thousands of local lawyers to…
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Sophisticated parties and the delayed discovery rule
Last updated on August 25, 2026As many know, statutes of limitations are deadlines in which one can file a lawsuit. There are situations, however, in which these deadlines can may be extended, and/or even shortened. Generally, in both tort and contract cases, the statute of limitations begin to run upon the occurrence of the last element essential to the cause of action. The cause of…
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Third-party harassment and the transportation industry: a guide for California employers
Last updated on August 25, 2026California employers can face significant legal liability when their employees are harassed by clients, customers, vendors, or other non-employees. In the transportation industry, where employees are routinely working at locations controlled by third parties, the risk is higher than employers realize. Most employers know they’re legally obligated to protect employees from harassment by coworkers and supervisors. But far fewer…
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Your clock is ticking: What California trucking employers need to know about EPA emissions standards and the ZEV transition
Last updated on August 25, 2026The EPA’s heavy-duty emissions standards for model years 2027 and beyond are finalized, and California’s zero-emission vehicle landscape is shifting fast. California carriers face stranded assets, financing risks, and legal exposure if they aren’t planning now. The trucking industry is in the middle of a regulatory shift that will reshape fleet purchasing, financing, and operations for years to come.…
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Getting background checks right — and avoiding stiff consequences
Last updated on August 19, 2026California has some of the most employee-protective background check laws in the country. The process is more formal than most employers realize, and the consequences of getting it wrong (litigation, penalties, damages, etc.) can be significant. Here’s what you need to know to protect yourself. Running a background check on a prospective employee sounds straightforward, but in California, it…
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California moves to overhaul PAGA, and it’s largely good news for employers
Last updated on June 30, 2026California’s Labor and Workforce Development Agency has proposed sweeping new rules governing how PAGA claims are filed, cured, and settled. Nothing is final yet, but the proposed changes are good news for employers. Here’s what you need to know now. Note: This area of law is actively developing. The regulations discussed below are proposed, not final, and may be…
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Supreme Court Decision Reshapes Liability for Freight Brokers
Last updated on May 26, 2026The Montgomery decision means negligent-hiring claims are now fair game in state court On May 14, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 9-0 in Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II, LLC that freight brokers can now be held liable under state law for negligently hiring an unsafe carrier that causes a motor vehicle accident. The federal preemption shield that brokers have relied on for years is gone — at…
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ChatGPT said I had a case. My lawyer said, “Not exactly.”
Last updated on March 27, 2026You’ve done the research: You typed your situation into ChatGPT, read through its very confident, well-structured answer, and now you’re sitting across from a lawyer, armed with a five-point summary and a handful of legal terms you’ve never said out loud before. As generative AI becomes common, this very scenario is playing out in law offices around the world.…
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Navigating the Maze of California’s Leave Law: A practical employer checklist
Last updated on March 3, 2026California employers operate under some of the most comprehensive leave requirements in the country. These laws are designed to protect workers — but often have the unintended effect of creating troublesome compliance challenges for businesses if policies and procedures are not carefully maintained and followed. One of the strongest tools you can deploy is a proactive, coherent leave policy and procedure that is well-understood by your HR team. Below are clear steps on…
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Act now: SB 294 includes notices requirements for California employers
Last updated on January 28, 2026With a fast-approaching deadline of February 1, 2026, California’s Senate Bill 294, also known as the Workplace Know Your Rights Act, adds a compliance obligation focused on workplace notices and employee awareness of labor rights. The law requires you to provide a new “Know Your Rights” notice created by the state that informs workers of key protections under California…
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Part II: New California employment laws for 2026 — Are you in compliance?
Last updated on January 8, 2026Welcome back to our 2026 California employment law update series. In this one, we’ll break down several new and upcoming laws that affect workplaces across the state. From stricter pest management requirements to expanded paid leave and COVID-era rehiring protections, these updates have important implications for employers. Read on to understand what’s already taken effect, what’s coming, and the key action items you’ll want to address. AB 592 serves…
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New employment laws are coming in 2026 — prepare your business now!
California employers once again face a busy compliance year in 2026. In addition to another increase to the state minimum wage, the Legislature has adopted a slate of laws that touch issues such as wage levels, training repayment agreements, wage garnishments, and expanded pay data obligations. Here’s an overview, along with practical steps you can take to reduce risk. California’s new minimum wage Starting January 1, 2026, California’s statewide minimum wage rises from $16.50 to $16.90…
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California Expands Labor Enforcement Authority with AB 288
Last updated on November 14, 2025In September 2025, Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 288, a new law that expands California’s authority to enforce labor relations laws when the federal government declines to act. Beginning January 1, 2026, the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB), which traditionally handles public-sector labor disputes, will be able to step in and enforce certain provisions of the National Labor Relations…
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Recent Posts
- Third-party harassment and the transportation industry: a guide for California employers
- Getting background checks right — and avoiding stiff consequences
- Your clock is ticking: What California trucking employers need to know about EPA emissions standards and the ZEV transition
- California moves to overhaul PAGA, and it’s largely good news for employers
- Supreme Court Decision Reshapes Liability for Freight Brokers