Ezer Williamson Law proudly announces the addition of Robert C. Hayden as Senior Counsel.
Mr. Hayden brings with him over 37 years of legal experience and expertise in the areas of labor and employment law, as well as extensive experience in business and commercial litigation, including contract and intellectual property disputes.
Prior to joining Ezer Williamson, Mr. Hayden was a partner at RG Lawyers LLP where he practiced for over six years representing both employees and...
Ezer Williamson Law is proud to announce its formal affiliation with Century City’s Leven & Seligman, LLP. With this association, both firms build on their reputations for superior quality, client service, and results.
The association will enable both firms to add depth and breadth to their existing practice areas of Real Estate Law and Litigation, Business and Corporate Transactions, Business and Commercial Law and Litigation, Partnership and Member Disputes, Shareholder Rights, Business Formation, and Estate...
Subject to certain limitations, a landlord may withhold tenant security deposits in order to clean, repair, and make ready a rental unit for new tenants. In fact, California Civil Code Section 1950.5 provides that the landlord may use summary “deduct-and-return” procedures (that is, procedures that do not require formal legal process) as long as certain rules are followed.
“Deduct-and-Return” Under Civil Code Section 1950.5
Under California law, after a tenant has vacated the premises a landlord has...
Previously on the blog we discussed how non-compete agreements in California are presumed void unless they meet one of two very narrow statutory exceptions. A recent decision from the Delaware Court of Chancery further emphasized the reach and effect of this presumption by upholding a California employee’s right to contract despite a non-compete agreement in an employment contract governed by Delaware law.
Specifically, in Ascension Insurance Holdings, LLC v. Underwood et al., the Delaware Court...
“No prudent individual would make a contract for the construction of a building of any magnitude without incorporating a provision somewhere making specific and definite arrangements concerning extra work.” City Street Improvement Company v. Kroh, 158 Cal. 308, 321 (1910).
Previously on our blog, we discussed how changes to construction contracts are often unavoidable, but that there are limitations to how much a construction contract can change. In this article, we will discuss the proper tool...
Previously on our blog, we discussed how more complex contracts allude to other existing contracts and documents. Incorporation by reference is the method of making these alluded-to documents part of a contract, and is often used to save space when parties want to include or reference another legal document or contract into a new contract. To properly incorporate another document by reference, it has to be adequately described in a new contract, and it...
Varying circumstances may require parties to a contract to modify their original agreement. For example, contract modification may be necessary if parties want to extend a contract, change its duration, alter the quantity of goods to be sold or delivered, change a delivery time or place, or change a payment amount or type.
Parties typically can modify a contract at any time, as long as all the parties agree to the changes. Minor changes in a...
Many business are self-insured, meaning that they provide healthcare plans for their employees. However, because of the high costs associated with this practice, some companies have been paying employees with significant health issues to opt out of company medical plans and get coverage on the insurance exchange market. Recently, a number of federal agencies have said that this practice is illegal under current healthcare laws.
From a business perspective, it is easy to understand why...
Both experienced and inexperienced contract drafters can make costly mistakes while creating contracts. Glossing over the contract formation stage is unwise. Painstaking care should be taken to make sure that all the details of an agreement are spelled out. To help guide you with your next contract, below are five of the most common mistakes to avoid.
Inadequately Describing the Parties’ Duties and Responsibilities
A well written agreement should carefully set out the duties and...
Employees and new businesses often must decide whether and how to handle non-compete agreements. If you are wondering whether a “non-compete” clause in an employment contract is enforceable, remember that you must consider both California statutes and case law on the subject.
What is a Non-compete Clause?
A non-compete clause, also referred to as a covenant not to compete, is a term in a contract in which one party agrees not to enter into or start...
