On July 8, 2011, Governor Jerry Brown signed Senate Bill 221 into law. SB 221 increases the Small Claims Court jurisdictional limit from $7,500 to $10,000 with two caveats. First, the jurisdictional limit of the Small Claims Court will remain $7,500 for claims of bodily injury resulting from a car accident if the defendant in the action is insured and the insured's policy includes a duty to defend. Second, the Small Claims jurisdictional limit will remain $5,000 [...]

Pursuant to the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010, the Small Business Administration (SBA) is implementing a new program starting February 28, 2011 to enable small business to refinance existing owner-occupied commercial real estate mortgages through its 504 loan program. Previously the 504 Loan Program was only available for new development, construction and expansion. For a limited time (February 28, 2011 thru September 27, 2012) it can now be used to refinance an existing owner-occupied commercial [...]

Existing law governing limited liability companies (LLCs), the Beverly-Killea Limited Liability Company Act, prohibits domestic and foreign LLCs from rendering professional services in California. See California Corporations Code §17375. "Professional services" is defined as "any type of professional services which may be lawfully rendered only pursuant to a license, certification, or registration authorized by the Business and Professions Code, the Chiropractic Act, or the Osteopathic Act." See California [...]

California Keep Your Home Program -- $2-billion to help distressed homeowners

The State of California’s Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) has started a new, federally funded, program called "Keep Your Home California". There are four parts [...]

While most employers are aware that Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination in employment against persons with disabilities, most employers are less familiar with Titles II and III of the ADA which requires privately owned business that provide goods or services to the public (retail store, hotel, bank, law firm, Etc..) and commercial facilities (warehouse, factory, office building) designed or constructed after January 26, 1993, or altered after January 26, 1992, to comply [...]