Some employers that rely on staffing arrangements, franchise relationships, or independent contractors may see meaningful shifts in federal labor policy because of a pair of federal agency rulemaking announcements released in February 2026.
Continue Reading Labor Policy Pendulum Swings Again: New Federal Rules Reshape Joint-Employer and Independent Contractor Standards

On Jan. 28, 2026, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in Avery v. TEKsystems, Inc. affirmed a district court order refusing to enforce an arbitration agreement rolled out during class litigation.
Continue Reading Ninth Circuit Warns California Employers Implementing Arbitration Agreements Mid-Litigation

Recently, Justices Thomas and Gorsuch have questioned whether the McDonnell Douglas Corp. v. Green, 411 U.S. 792 (1973) framework remains the appropriate standard in certain employment related cases.

Continue Reading Beyond Burden Shifting: What the Eleventh Circuit’s Latest Decision Might Mean for McDonnell Douglas

On Jan. 8, 2026, the Supreme Court of Virginia upheld a decision to overturn a $2 billion jury verdict in the Appian v. Pegasystems trade secrets dispute, where a unanimous jury found that Pega violated the Virginia Computer Crimes Act and misappropriated Appian’s trade secrets.
Continue Reading Virginia Supreme Court Orders New Trial in $2 Billion Trade Secrets Case

As California employers head into another year of compliance planning, the Golden State legislature has not slowed down. From higher wage thresholds and expanded pay-equity rules to sweeping changes affecting

Continue Reading ’Tis the Season for California’s New Employment Laws: Employer Considerations for 2026