Dale Ratner joined our firm as a senior litigation associate in February 2023. Mr. Ratner devotes his practice to representing clients in civil litigation including mass torts and class actions. He has represented plaintiffs and defendants in a wide variety of cases from car accidents to complex commercial litigation. He is also capable of advising businesses and employers in all aspects of labor and employment law compliance. He has resolved numerous cases for clients from pre-litigation to mediation and arbitration.
Mr. Ratner earned a B.A. in drama from Vassar College and a M.F.A. from the New School for Drama. His J.D. is from the University of San Francisco. He is licensed to practice law in California and New York. Prior to joining this firm, Mr. Ratner worked in several litigation firms in the Bay Area. Most recently, he worked in an East Bay defense firm.
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Labor and Employment Updates
CLD&R Trial Team Secures Multi-Million Dollar Wage and Hour Verdict on Behalf of Security Guards
Earlier this month, our litigation trial team of Steven Berki, Sumble Manzoor, and Willa Mankins, secured a jury verdict of over $5.75 million on behalf of ten (10) classes of security guards whose employer had willfully failed to pay them wages to which they were entitled. After a month-long trial, the jury found that the employer had failed to pay required overtime, reimburse expenses, provide meal and rest breaks, and pay wages in a timely manner when the employees were terminated. The jury also found the owner of the company personally liable under California Labor Code section 558.1, which allows the owner or managing agent of a corporation to be held responsible if they contribute to decisions that result in labor code violations. In 2016, the California Legislature enacted Labor Code section 558.1 in order to expand liability for wage and hour violations and to “discourage business owners from rolling up their operations and walking away from their debts to workers and starting a new company.”
Failure to Pay Wages Comes with Hefty Penalties and Potential Criminal Liability
Employers in California must pay employees their wages within designated time periods, both during employment and upon termination. As in our trial case discussed above, failure to pay employees within these required time periods can carry significant consequences. Employees are not only entitled to recover the wages due to them but the employer may also be required to pay penalties, which increase when the violation occurs on more than one pay period. The employer may also be responsible for covering the attorney’s fees and costs for both their own attorney and the employees’ attorney. In addition to civil damages, penalties and fees, employers may face criminal liability under wage theft laws. California Labor Code section 215 makes it a misdemeanor for “[a]ny person, or the agent, manager, superintendent or officer thereof” to fail to pay wages in accordance with Labor Code Section 204.
With concerns about the banking industry and an impending recession, many employers are facing cash flow concerns. If you have questions about how to navigate California’s complex web of wage and hour laws, contact our team of seasoned employment litigators and counselors Amanda L. Riddle, Steven M. Berki, Dale Ratner, Sumble Manzoor or Willa Mankins.
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Spring Cleaning for Your Estate Planning Documents
With fresh starts and spring cleaning on our minds, now might also be a good time to review your estate plan. All too often, these important documents are signed and promptly put in a “safe place,” never to be touched again. We recommend reviewing your estate planning documents, including any separate beneficiary listings you may have, every two to three years to keep up with changes in your lives. New children/grandchildren, new assets, and new properties are all good reasons to update your estate plan. Even if you feel that nothing has changed regarding your family and future wishes, it is still a good idea to consider that the laws may have changed since the time you originally drafted your trust.
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Community Spotlight
Our firm continues to be an avid supporter of LifeMoves, which an incredible organization dedicated to helping individuals and families experiencing homelessness to return to stable housing and self-sufficiency. LifeMoves mission is to end homelessness by providing interim housing, supportive services, and building collaborative partnerships. Last year alone, LifeMoves provided 288,000 shelter nights and moving forward they are adding five new sites that will open 678 new doors of hope for 1,800 people. We look forward to attending the LifeMoves annual benefit breakfast on April 27, 2023, in Burlingame.
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Employment Law Litigation
When issues arise, our attorneys focus on early intervention to resolve problems within the business before the issue escalates ...
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Business & Commercial Transactions
Since 1964, our firm has provided tailored advice to business clients of all sizes. From sole proprietorships to Fortune 500 companies ...
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Probate & Trust Litigation
Along with the provision of estate planning legal services, we have extensive experience litigating matters resulting from estate disputes involving ...
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Millbrae Office
700 El Camino Real
Millbrae, CA 94030
Phone: (650) 871-5666
Email: info@coreylaw.com
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Half Moon Bay Office
625 Miramontes Street, Suite 106
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
Phone: (650) 726-7578
Email: info@coreylaw.com
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