Ariel Brotman
Ariel Brotman is an associate in the Labor & Employment Department and a member of the Employment Litigation & Arbitration Group. She represents employers in all aspects of employment litigation, including wage and hour, wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, whistleblower, trade secrets, and breach of contract litigation, in both the single-plaintiff and class-action context. She also counsels employers on a diverse range of workplace issues.
Ariel earned her J.D. from USC Gould School of Law, where she was a member of the Southern California Interdisciplinary Law Journal. During law school, she was also a clinical student in the University of Southern California Immigration Clinic. In addition, she served as a judicial extern to the Honorable Robert N. Kwan in the United States Bankruptcy Court, Central District of California.
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Spring in California can only mean one thing, and no, it’s not Coachella, Dodgers games or even the return of the swallows to San Juan Capistrano—it’s the annual release of the California Chamber of Commerce’s list of “Job Killer Bills.” Once again, this list proves that former California Governor Jerry Brown had it right when … Continue Reading
In the California Legislature’s latest attack on the fast-food industry, Assemblymember Chris Holden (D-Pasadena) introduced the Fast Food Franchisor Responsibility Act (“AB 1228”). AB 1228 was introduced shortly after a Sacramento County Superior Court judge issued a preliminary injunction to stop the controversial Fast Food Accountability and Standards Recovery Act or “FAST Recovery Act” (AB … Continue Reading
On January 1, 2023, the IRS mileage rate increased to 65.5 cents per mile for driving done for business purposes. This is a three (3) cent increase from the rate set for the second half of 2022. According to the IRS, this rate applies “to electric and hybrid-electric automobiles, as well as gasoline and diesel-powered … Continue Reading
California employers are required to post several notices and distribute various pamphlets informing employees of their employment rights. Effective January 1, 2023, eight (8) out of eighteen (18) of these required notices will be updated. The eight (8) notices that will be updated are the following: 1. California Minimum Wage; 2. Family Care and Medical … Continue Reading
On September 5, 2022, Governor Gavin Newsom signed the Fast Food Accountability and Standards Recovery Act or FAST Recovery Act (AB-257). In a breathtaking move, the state government, which is dominated at all levels by union-friendly politicians, will appoint a 10-member Council composed of employees, employers and “union activists” to set the minimum wages and … Continue Reading
On July 7, 2022, Mayor Eric Garcetti signed the “Healthcare Workers Minimum Wage Ordinance” (“Ordinance”) which, effective August 13, 2022, increases the minimum wage to $25 per hour for healthcare workers employed at privately-owned healthcare facilities within the City of Los Angeles. Beginning January 1, 2024, the minimum wage will increase annually based on the … Continue Reading
In a much anticipated ruling, on May 23, 2022, the California Supreme Court issued its decision in Naranjo et al. v. Spectrum Security Services, Inc. Previously, the Court of Appeal held that unpaid premium payments for meal period violations did not entitle employees to additional penalties for either inaccurate wage statements or failure to timely … Continue Reading
As discussed in our previous blog, on April 1, 2022, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge, Terry Green, granted summary judgment in favor of individuals represented by D.C.-based nonprofit Judicial Watch, declaring Assembly Bill 979 (“AB 979”) to be unconstitutional and granting an “injunction preventing the expenditure of taxpayer funds on the implementation of the measure.” … Continue Reading
On February 10, 2022, the Senate passed H. 4445, the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act (the “Act”), by a voice vote. The bill had previously passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 335-97. The White House has indicated President Biden will sign the bill. If enacted, the Act would amend the … Continue Reading
On February 7, 2022, in a 335-97 vote, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bipartisan bill (“Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act”), which would prohibit “mandatory arbitration” in sexual assault and harassment cases arising or accruing on or after the date of enactment. This bill also invalidates joint, class, or … Continue Reading
Very few companies doing business in California missed the news recently that a San Francisco jury ordered Tesla, the electric car manufacturer, to pay $137 million to a Black former elevator operator who had worked at the company for less than a year before he quit his job due to alleged racial harassment in the … Continue Reading
As the 2021 legislative season came to a close, Governor Gavin Newsom signed numerous bills into law. From arbitration to workplace safety, these laws will impact employers across the state. We have summarized the most important ones for you here: Arbitration Arbitration fees will now need to be paid upon receipt of invoice unless the … Continue Reading
Following New York City and San Francisco, Los Angeles is the latest city to require proof of vaccination for individuals entering indoor portions of establishments. This ordinance, which the Los Angeles City Council approved in an 11-to-2 vote, takes effect November 4, 2021. However, beginning October 21, 2021, the ordinance requires businesses and City facilities … Continue Reading
A new California law, effective January 1, 2022, closely regulates productivity quotas for warehouse distribution centers. AB 701 applies to employers of 100 or more employees at a single warehouse distribution center or 1,000 or more employees at one or more warehouse distribution centers in the state and purports to address warehouse safety concerns by … Continue Reading
A Los Angeles jury has ordered an apartment building owner and property management company to pay $7.6 million to two former live-in apartment managers who claimed to have been wrongfully terminated and discriminated against based upon a medical condition and disability (thyroid cancer). Albert Garcia and his wife Stephanie Garcia sued Gresham Apartments Investors, owners … Continue Reading
Due to the recent increase in COVID-19 cases, California officials are recommending that private employers require their employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or face regular testing. In an article in the Sacramento Business Journal, Governor Gavin Newsom’s senior advisor and director of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, Dee Dee Myers, called … Continue Reading
California Concludes It’s Been Too Hard On Employers, Offers Apology (Nah, Just Kidding!)—A New Raft Of “Job-Killer” Bills Is Heading This Way!
California’s War On The Fast-Food Industry Continues
IRS Increases Mileage Rate for 2023
California Mandatory Postings and Pamphlets – What’s New for 2023
California Creates Unelected Council to Set Minimum Wages/Working Conditions of 500,000 Fast Food Workers
Mayor Garcetti Signs “Healthcare Workers Minimum Wage Ordinance” Increasing Minimum Wage to $25
California Supreme Court Rules Meal and Rest Break Premiums Constitute “Wages” Potentially Triggering Penalties for Violations
Court Declares California Law Requiring Diverse Corporate Boards Unconstitutional
By Mark Theodore and Ariel Brotman on Posted in California Labor & Employment Law, Diversity and Inclusion
Congress Passes Bill Prohibiting Mandatory Arbitration and Class Action Waivers for Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault Claims
By Guy Brenner, Tony Oncidi, Evandro Gigante, Laura Fant, Theresa Madonna and Ariel Brotman on Posted in Arbitration Agreements, Class Actions
House Passes Bill Barring “Mandatory Arbitration” in Sexual Assault and Harassment Cases
Employers Beware: California Jury Verdicts Continue to Skyrocket!
By Tony Oncidi and Ariel Brotman on Posted in California Labor & Employment Law, Jury verdicts
Governor Newsom Signs A Slew of New Employment Laws for 2022
By Tony Oncidi, Kate Gold, Philippe A. Lebel, Nayirie K. Mehdikhani, Sehreen Ladak and Ariel Brotman on Posted in ABC Test, Arbitration Agreements, Attorney's Fees, California Labor & Employment Law, California Labor Code, Collective Bargaining, COVID-19, Discrimination, FEHA, Independent Contractors, Leaves of Absence, New and Proposed Laws and Legislation, Release Agreements, Retaliation, Unfair Competition, Wage and Hour
Los Angeles City Council Approves Sweeping Vaccine Ordinance for Indoor Establishments
New California Law Imposes Strict Limits on Warehouse Distribution Centers (This Means You, Amazon!)
California Jury Awards Employees $7.6 Million in Latest Gargantuan Wrongful Termination Verdict
California Encourages Mandating Employee COVID-19 Vaccinations
By Tony Oncidi and Ariel Brotman on Posted in Coronavirus, COVID-19, Employment Policies
