Chapter 12: Family, Medical, and Military Leave: Recent Developments Under the FMLA and USERRA April 2024 Co-Authored By: Michelle Brookfield The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) was enacted by Congress in 1993 and has now developed over thirty years of regulations and extensive caselaw. As the Department of Labor (DOL) summarizes, the FMLA entitles eligible employees of covered employers to take unpaid, job-protected leave for specified family and medical reasons with continuation of group health insurance coverage under the same terms and conditions as if the employee had not taken leave...
Buchalter
Overview
Buchalter is a full-service business law firm that has been teaming with clients for eight decades, providing legal counsel at all stages of their growth and evolution, and helping them meet the many legal challenges and decisions they face. Our clients are engaged in a diverse global economy governed by complex laws and regulations, and they trust us as advisers and business partners because we are involved in their world. They rely on our forward-thinking to help them resolve problems before they arise.
At Buchalter, we practice in that spirit.
Our founding principle-providing our clients with the best business solutions-continues to lead us. We value each client relationship, recognizing that their success is our success. Our overarching goal-getting the best results for the client in a timely manner with sensitivity to cost-has engendered client loyalty, and the firm has grown from that loyalty.
Our lawyers are accessible, resourceful, skillful and adept at responding to change. Our technological capabilities keep case law and rule changes at our fingertips and client communications current, enabling us to create efficient, superior outcomes.
We strongly believe that technology is a tool that furthers the practice of law and have used that belief to develop a cutting edge platform for our firm. We use a meshed (NVPN) network to facilitate work among offices, Cisco VoIP telephony and Video-over-IP conferencing. Sharing documents is seamless through FileSite, which is also utilized to create our Client Extranets. To support our litigation matters, we use Concordance and Opticon, as well as LiveNote and Sanction. Unlike many firms, we have the capacity to process e-Discovery in-house, reducing client costs.
Buchalter lawyers are also active members of the communities in which they live and work. Leadership is a value the founding partners practiced and passed on to the current generation of attorneys. Our lawyers sit on the boards of prominent organizations, teach and lecture frequently. We actively participate in many associations and groups including the Public Law Center, San Francisco Legal Aid Society, Practicing Law Institute, California State Bar Association, the Los Angeles County Bar Association and the LACBA Domestic Violence Project, the Sojourner Center, the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Phoenix and many others.
Buchalter is consistently ranked among the leading law firms by Chambers and Partners, Best Lawyers, The Daily Journal and the Los Angeles Business Journal. It is also ranked among the leading firms nationally by American Legal Media and the National Law Journal.
Buchalter's commitment to reflecting and enhancing the rich diversity of the clients and communities in which we practice is more than eight decades strong. The firm's diversity of attorneys and staff provides clients with a greater array of creative talent and alternative thinking, benefiting all.
Areas of Practice
Professionals
Partners
![Artin Betpera](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/70000/a70497.jpg)
Artin Betpera
Shareholder![Farah Bhatti](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/68000/a68453.jpg)
Farah Bhatti
Shareholder![Paul L. Bressan](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/68000/a68563.jpg)
Paul L. Bressan
Partner Emeritus![Jason Brooks](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/69000/a69094.jpg)
Jason Brooks
Shareholder![Roxana K. Chamouillé](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/68000/a68294.jpg)
Roxana K. Chamouillé
Shareholder![Lee C. Cheng](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/70000/a70662.jpg)
Lee C. Cheng
Shareholder and Chair of the Greater China Practice Group![Joanne N. Davies](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/68000/a68554.jpg)
Joanne N. Davies
Shareholder![Steven Di Saia](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/68000/a68398.jpg)
Steven Di Saia
Shareholder![Caroline Djang](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/75000/a75181.jpg)
Caroline Djang
Shareholder![Anne Marie Ellis](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/68000/a68445.jpg)
Anne Marie Ellis
Shareholder![Jeffrey K. Garfinkle](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/68000/a68546.jpg)
Jeffrey K. Garfinkle
Shareholder![Jason E. Goldstein](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/68000/a68543.jpg)
Jason E. Goldstein
Shareholder![Robert B. Hinckley Jr.](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/73000/a73374.jpg)
Robert B. Hinckley Jr.
Shareholder![Peggy Hosking](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/75000/a75180.jpg)
Peggy Hosking
Shareholder![Eric Kennedy](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/68000/a68438.jpg)
Eric Kennedy
Shareholder![Eric Kennedy](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/68000/a68438.jpg)
Eric Kennedy
Shareholder![Mitchell Kim](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/75000/a75752.jpg)
Mitchell Kim
Shareholder![Barbara Lichman, Ph.D.](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/68000/a68534.jpg)
Barbara Lichman, Ph.D.
Shareholder![Robert Collings Little](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/69000/a69101.jpg)
Robert Collings Little
Shareholder![David A. Lurker](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/68000/a68448.jpg)
David A. Lurker
Shareholder![Damaris L. Medina](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/68000/a68425.jpg)
Damaris L. Medina
Shareholder![Michael L. Meeks](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/68000/a68528.jpg)
Michael L. Meeks
Shareholder![Joshua M. Robbins](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/69000/a69089.jpg)
Joshua M. Robbins
Shareholder![Philip Schroeder](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/68000/a68511.jpg)
Philip Schroeder
Shareholder![Mark M. Scott](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/68000/a68510.jpg)
Mark M. Scott
Shareholder![Roger Scott](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/68000/a68395.jpg)
Roger Scott
Shareholder![Matthew L. Seror](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/68000/a68509.jpg)
Matthew L. Seror
Shareholder![Scott O. Smith](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/68000/a68501.jpg)
Scott O. Smith
Shareholder![Robert J. Stemler](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/80000/a80888.jpg)
Robert J. Stemler
Shareholder![J. Rick Taché](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/68000/a68396.jpg)
J. Rick Taché
Shareholder![Douglas E. Wance](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/68000/a68488.jpg)
Douglas E. Wance
ShareholderAssociates
![Nicholas Couchot](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/69000/a69156.jpg)
Nicholas Couchot
Attorney![Daniel D. Dow](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/68000/a68291.jpg)
Daniel D. Dow
Attorney![Neusha Etemad](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/78000/a78855.jpg)
Neusha Etemad
Attorney![Rachel W. Fong](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/73000/a73268.jpg)
Rachel W. Fong
Attorney![Ross Garrett](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/80000/a80824.jpg)
Ross Garrett
Attorney![Karen N. George](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/68000/a68347.jpg)
Karen N. George
Attorney![Paula B. Hernandez](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/80000/a80890.jpg)
Paula B. Hernandez
Attorney![Alexander H. Kharazmi](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/82000/a82464.jpg)
Alexander H. Kharazmi
Attorney![Julia E. Kilpatrick](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/70000/a70113.jpg)
Julia E. Kilpatrick
Attorney![Lauren Lee](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/73000/a73426.jpg)
Lauren Lee
Attorney![Manisha Malhotra](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/82000/a82466.png)
Manisha Malhotra
Attorney![Nina Moreno](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/75000/a75383.jpg)
Nina Moreno
Attorney![Omar Newhide](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/82000/a82461.jpg)
Omar Newhide
Attorney![Bailee Pelham](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/80000/a80769.jpg)
Bailee Pelham
Attorney![Sara Tanner](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/78000/a78674.jpg)
Sara Tanner
Attorney![Vy Tran](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/82000/a82438.jpg)
Vy Tran
Attorney![T. Mark Tubis](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/70000/a70555.jpg)
T. Mark Tubis
Attorney![Adeline Tungate](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/78000/a78671.jpg)
Adeline Tungate
Attorney![Sarah Vega](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/69000/a69373.jpg)
Sarah Vega
AttorneyOf Counsel
![Robert M. Dato](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/68000/a68460.jpg)
Robert M. Dato
Of Counsel![Jeffrey Farano](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/77000/a77177.jpg)
Jeffrey Farano
Special Counsel![Derek R. Guizado](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/73000/a73269.jpg)
Derek R. Guizado
Senior Counsel![Kathleen Juniper](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/68000/a68470.jpg)
Kathleen Juniper
Of Counsel![Deborah Mallgrave](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/82000/a82472.jpg)
Deborah Mallgrave
Special Counsel![Danielle Mayer](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/71000/a71354.jpg)
Danielle Mayer
Senior Counsel![Ashley Milnes](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/68000/a68397.jpg)
Ashley Milnes
Senior Counsel![Tricia A. Pham](https://www.worldservicesgroup.com/cdn-cgi/image/w=110,h=110,fit=cover,gravity=0.1x0.1/files/pic/75000/a75870.jpg)
Tricia A. Pham
Senior CounselArticles
Pivot, Don’t Panic: How Employers Should Respond to the FTC’s Ban on Non-Compete Agreements
May 10, 2024 By: Dylan W. Wiseman and Sarah Andrzejczak On April 23, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission approved and issued its final rule effectively banning employers’ use of non-compete agreements (subject to very few exceptions). The rule becomes effective 120 days after publication in the Federal Register, heralding yet another stride towards enhanced employee mobility. Despite the unfavorable reception from many employers, it’s important to understand that all is not lost. Notably, since the Gold Rush era, California employers have successfully operated without non-compete agreements...
Press
Buchalter Welcomes Shareholder to Portland Office
17 June 2024 – Buchalter is excited to announce the addition of Shareholder Amy Cross to its Portland office. Cross joins the firm as a member of the Tax, Benefits, and Estate Planning Practice group. “We are thrilled to welcome Amy to the Firm in Portland,” said Adam Bass, Buchalter President and Chief Executive Officer. “Her unique estate planning and wealth transfer experience further enhances our highly regarded tax and estate planning practice...
Buchalter Obtains Dismissal and Attorney Fees in Fraud Case Against the SEC
On May 28, 2024, a federal judge ordered the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to pay $1.8 million in attorney and receivership fees after dismissing its case against Digital Licensing Inc., also known as DEBT Box. The SEC accused the crypto firm of running a fraudulent $49 million scheme. However, the judge found that the SEC acted in bad faith by presenting misleading information to obtain a temporary restraining order to freeze DEBT Box's assets. This ruling comes amid broader criticism of the SEC's handling of enforcement actions in the crypto space?. Following this ruling, the SEC Office in Salt Lake City announced it's closure...
Blogs
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Chemical Law & Prop 65