White and Bright, LLP Celebrates 45 Years of Client Service and Community Commitment

Did you notice our firm logo looks a little different? That’s because, in 2026, White and Bright turns 45!

It’s a milestone that gives us plenty to celebrate — and even more to be grateful for. Over the coming year, we’ll be sharing highlights about the firm, the people and our partnerships that have shaped our work. We’ll take some time to reflect on what it means to serve clients and our community with integrity, consistency and care. We hope you’ll follow along as we celebrate all year long — and thank you for being part of the journey that brought us here.

Classifying Workers as Independent Contractors in California: What AB 5 Means for Employers in 2026

California’s Assembly Bill 5 is designed to ensure that workers are classified correctly either as an employee or an independent contractor. The law presumes a worker is an employee unless certain criteria are met. Several amendments were made to the law since it took effect five years ago. Employers should review the law and employee classifications regularly to protect against risk.

If You Have a Trust, Do You Need a Will?

There are several critical differences between what wills and trusts do. Depending on the size of an estate, only one may be needed. Find out what each document provides and determine if you need to make changes or additions to your estate plan.

Estate planning is not just about preparing for retirement or passing on wealth later in life. For professionals of all ages, it is a critical tool for protecting hard-earned assets, managing risk and ensuring that personal and professional responsibilities are handled according to your wishes if the unexpected occurs. Without a plan, California law — not you — determines who makes decisions, how assets are distributed and how long those processes take.

For early- and mid-career professionals, estate planning establishes foundational protections such as healthcare directives, powers of attorney and beneficiary coordination, while also addressing growing complexity from career advancement, real estate ownership, business interests or family changes. For seasoned professionals and business owners, estate planning becomes even more strategic — helping to protect assets from unnecessary exposure, coordinate business succession considerations and ensure that years of work translate into a lasting legacy rather than administrative burden or conflict.

Partner Bridget Burns will provide a practical overview of California estate planning basics, including what happens if you don’t have a plan, key planning tools for professionals and business owners and how thoughtful estate planning can protect assets, reduce risk and create long-term peace of mind.

Melissa Engle Listed as a San Diego Top Lawyer for 2025

Congratulations to Partner Melissa Engle for being included in San Diego Magazine’s 2025 list of Top Lawyers! She appeared under the business law section, reflecting her successful transactional and litigation practice that focuses mostly on real estate and employment law.