As California began the new year, it was suffering from a six-year drought. Then came le deluge. According to the Governor's office "These storms brought more rain than had been recorded in over 100 years and all in one...more
Earlier this year, Governor Gavin Newsom announced that the State of California's COVID-19 State of Emergency will end on February 28, 2023. Since then, numerous localities have announced the end of their own states of...more
Limited water supply, restrictions on use, and higher costs may be in store for next year if the state’s drought conditions persist. This year has been critically dry and hot for California, resulting in déjà vu as the...more
A dangerous trap for an unwary insured looking for insurance coverage can be a notice provision. To trigger certain liability insurance policies, the insurer may require that a “claim” be both made against an insured and that...more
Unbelievably, it was March 17, 2020, when Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N-29-20 (amending Executive Order N-25-20 in part), which allows local or state legislative bodies to hold meetings via teleconference and...more
One year after declaring a state of emergency in California due to COVID-19, the California Governor issued a new Executive Order lifting pricing restrictions on most categories of products previously subject to California’s...more
In June of last year, I addressed the question of when a gubernatorially state of emergency ends. Government Code Section 8629 requires the Governor to proclaim a termination of a state of emergency "at the earliest possible...more
California Penal Code § 396 prohibits price gouging in California during a state of emergency. California enacted a few amendments to Section 396 that are effective now. As explained in more detail below, among other things,...more
With precautions still in place to combat the COVID-19 pandemic that limit access to government buildings and promote social distancing, on September 23, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N-80-20. ...more
Recently-signed California legislation SB 1146 immediately modifies the California Code of Civil Procedure on electronic service and remote depositions. Additionally, SB 1146 extends certain civil deadlines for the duration...more
Since the beginning of the pandemic, many governors have issued executive orders targeted at combating price gouging. However, one California state senator, Senator Thomas Umberg, proposed going a step further. In April 2020,...more
On September 23, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N-80-20 (Order). Among its provisions, the Order extends the prior suspension by Executive Order N-54-20 of public noticing requirements mandated by certain...more
The Tenant, Homeowner, and Small Landlord Relief and Stabilization Act of 2020 - To address what is expected to be an overwhelming number of residential evictions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and associated...more
On August 31, 2020, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed an eviction protection law that significantly amends the long-standing procedures for initiating and prosecuting residential unlawful detainer actions based on...more
On March 4, 2020, Governor Newsom proclaimed a "state of emergency" pursuant to California's Emergency Services Act. His proclamation reflected his finding that "conditions of Government Code section 8558(b), relating to the...more
To support our clients during the COVID-19 pandemic, we provide below links to the Governor’s Executive Orders and California County directives and mandates. Given the rapidly changing environment, we will update this page...more
On Friday, May 22, 2020, the California Senate Judiciary Committee voted in favor of an amended version of SB-939, which would limit the rights of many commercial landlords to enforce certain provisions of their leases. The...more
On March 4, Governor Gavin Newsom proclaimed a State of Emergency exists for California due to the threat of COVID-19. On March 13, President Trump announced a national emergency in response to the coronavirus outbreak. Since...more
On May 6, 2020, Governor Newsom issued Executive Order N-62-20, which provides that an employee's COVID-19 related illness "shall be presumed to arise out of and in the course of the employment for purposes of awarding...more
Pandemic-related price spikes in consumer goods have attracted the attention of both government enforcers and private plantiffs. In California, Attorney General Xavier Becerra has issued two admonitions against price gouging...more
Seyfarth Synopsis: On April 16, 2020, California Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N-51-20, requiring employers of Food Sector Workers to provide up to two weeks of Supplemental Paid Sick Leave (“SPSL”) to...more
Exceptions outlined in state and local directives likely encompass the investigatory and remedial activities performed by environmental contractors. Most California stay-at-home orders include exceptions for professional...more
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the California Judicial Council on April 6, 2020, introduced amendments to the California Rules of Court, which are effective immediately and impact a broad suite of criminal and civil...more
“Openness in government is essential to the functioning of a democracy.” This straightforward declaration by the California Supreme Court bears repeating during the COVID-19 health crisis. “Newspapers, television, radio, and...more
On March 18, 2020, we authored an update regarding housing construction under the shelter-in-place orders jointly issued by six Bay Area counties—Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa...more