Matthew Luzaich Named Senior Counsel |
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Matthew S. Luzaich joins our firm on April 1, 2024, in the role of Senior Counsel. Mr. Luzaich will manage the firm’s growing estate planning, probate, and trust administration practice in Chico, California. In addition, Mr. Luzaich will continue to work with the firm’s complex and mass tort litigation team, as he has done for five years, representing victims of disasters, wildfires, and wage theft.
Mr. Luzaich graduated from Golden Gate University Law School with honors in 2013. Mr. Luzaich graduated with distinction from California State University, Chico, earning a B.A. in Criminal Justice with a Certificate in Alternative Dispute Resolution.
Mr. Luzaich joined the firm’s mass tort litigation team in 2018 representing survivors of the PG&E caused Camp Fire. He participated in the origin and cause investigation, documenting evidence that was later used in the first complaint filed against PG&E. Since the early days of the Camp Fire, Mr. Luzaich worked with our clients to build their cases against PG&E and advocate for their right to compensation. In addition, Mr. Luzaich prepares and reviews wills, trusts, and other estate planning documents for clients. Mr. Luzaich began his legal practice in the area of criminal defense. He has successfully represented clients in the Superior Courts of Butte, Glenn, Sutter, Tehama, and Yuba counties. He was awarded the Butte County Veteran’s Treatment Court Medal for his work with the collaborative court in helping establish the program and in representing clients who suffer from a mental health condition related to their service in the military and face criminal charges.
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Labor and Employment Updates
Workplace Violence Prevention
A new workplace violence prevention law set to take effect July 1, 2024 requires employers to establish, implement, and maintain, a workplace violence prevention plan for purposes of protecting employees and other personnel from aggressive and violent behavior at the workplace. This should be a separate policy from your Handbook but it can be included with your Injury and Illness Prevention Plan that you have at the workplace. Click here for resources provided by the State of California Department of Industrial Relations on workplace violence prevention.
California Minimum Wage Rises
The California minimum wage, effective January 1, 2024, is $16/hour. Now, as of April 1, 2024, fast food restaurant employers in California will be required to pay a minimum wage of $20/hour. Many cities and counties have higher minimum wage rates that the state. Here are some local examples:
- Belmont: $17.35
- Burlingame: $17.03
- Daly City: $16.62
- Foster City: $17.00
- Half Moon Bay: $17.01
- Redwood City: $17.70
- San Mateo (City): $17.35
- South San Francisco: $17.25
California Wage Theft Prevention Act Expanded Notice Requirements
The California Wage Theft Prevention Act (Labor Code §2810.5) requires California employers to provide notice of certain wage-and-hour information to nonexempt employees at the time of hire and within seven days of any change to the information. Assembly Bill 636, signed into law in late 2023, expands the WTPA's notification requirements. As of January 1, 2024, employers must use updated notices that include information regarding the existence of federal or state emergency or disaster declarations that may impact the new employee. Here is the Department of Industrial Relations latest form for employer use. Here is the Department of Industrial Relations latest form for employer use.
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New Federal Reporting Requirements for Business Entities with Serious Penalties for Non-Compliance
On January 1, 2024, the Corporate Transparency Act was passed by congress. This act requires that existing and newly formed LLCs, Corporations, and other similar entities (LPs, LLPs, etc.) which are registered with the Secretary of State must file a Beneficial Ownership Information Report before the end of 2024. This report provides specific personal information about the owners of each entity. This report is intended to help prevent and investigate money laundering and other financial crimes which use business entities to hide illicit and illegal financial transactions. This report is made with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) which is a bureau of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Because these rules are intended to address serious crimes, failure to file the required report could result in serious financial penalties and up to two years in prison. The reporting requirement is a one-time event; however, it must be resubmitted if there is a change in the ownership of the entity.
If you currently hold an interest in an LLC, corporation or similar entity (such as an LP, LLP, etc.) registered with the Secretary of State, you should immediately take steps to make sure you are compliant with the new rules and complete an accurate Beneficial Ownership Information Report.
For more information you may reach out to our firm or go to https://www.fincen.gov/boi for specific reporting requirements and step by step instructions on the reporting process.
Spring Cleaning 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 is 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. We look forward to attending the LifeMoves A Home for Everyone Luncheon on April 24, 2024, in Palo Alto. Click here for more details on this event.
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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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