Barely a month into 2026, and a California jury has delivered another massive verdict in an employment case, awarding $52 million to five former employees following a whistleblower retaliation trial in Los Angeles. (Williams et al. v. Sysco Riverside, Inc.)
The plaintiffs, primarily drivers and yard personnel, worked for a global foodservice distributor. They alleged that they raised concerns during their employment regarding
A new California law imposes significant new registration and reporting requirements on a broad range of asset management firms. Although the statute is styled as a “venture capital” law, its expansive definitions and California nexus provisions mean that many firms that do not traditionally view themselves as venture capital companies may nevertheless be subject to its requirements. Meet the new “Fair Investment Practices by Venture
California employers face an important new compliance deadline under the state’s newly enacted Workplace Know Your Rights Act. By February 1, 2026, all California employers must distribute this mandatory “Know Your Rights” Notice to their employees – and, thereafter, must continue to do so annually. This requirement applies to all employers, regardless of size.
The California Labor Commissioner has issued a template of the
Proskauer secured a victory for our client on a motion to compel arbitration in a sex discrimination action filed in the Los Angeles Superior Court. The plaintiff alleged sex-based discrimination and harassment; retaliation; failure to prevent harassment, discrimination, and retaliation; constructive termination; and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Although the plaintiff had executed an arbitration agreement before beginning employment, she argued the agreement was “unconscionable”
In recent years, it has become increasingly common for plaintiffs to sue anonymously—while at the same time identifying the defendant(s) by name as well as their alleged acts often in lurid and excruciating detail. A lawsuit, of course, is nothing more than a series of allegations and is not in and of itself proof of wrongdoing. But that fact offers cold comfort to those defendants
Just as the deciduous trees turn autumn orange and the pumpkin lattes start sloshing about, our busy-bee lawmakers in Sacramento have unveiled a whole new slate of rules and regulations to further finetune the workplaces of California! (Perhaps this year, they’ll finally get it “just right”!)
Here’s their latest handiwork:
| Summary & Impact on Employers | Law |
| Workplace Know Your Rights Act. By February 1, 2026 |