On Sept. 5, 2022, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law AB 257, the controversial Fast Food Accountability and Standards Recovery Act, also known as the “FAST Act” (the Act). Its passing was swiftly met with a voter referendum filed Sept. 7, 2022, to potentially block the new law. If the proponents of the referendum collect sufficient signatures to qualify for the 2024 ballot, the Act cannot be implemented until voters decide.

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Tags: california, california legislation, fast food, franchisees, GT Insight, restaurants, union, wages
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Photo of Ashley M. Farrell Pickett Ashley M. Farrell Pickett

Ashley M. Farrell Pickett defends companies in complex employment class and representative litigation in both state and federal courts throughout the country. She has deep experience representing large and small employers alike at all stages of high stakes litigation—from pre-trial demands through trial…

Ashley M. Farrell Pickett defends companies in complex employment class and representative litigation in both state and federal courts throughout the country. She has deep experience representing large and small employers alike at all stages of high stakes litigation—from pre-trial demands through trial or arbitration, settlement, and on appeal.

Ashley has litigated a wide range of employment claims facing companies, including wage and hour compliance, discrimination, retaliation, sexual harassment, leaves of absence, employee accommodations, personnel policies, and employment agreements. She is also skilled in advising employers on various issues to ensure compliance and avoid potentially costly litigation before it can arise.

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Photo of Alice Kessler Alice Kessler

Alice Kessler is the Co-Leader of the California Government Law & Policy Group in the firm’s Sacramento office. She is an accomplished legislative strategist and leader with a track record of rapid advancement grounded in proven strategic and communication talents, collaborative skills, and…

Alice Kessler is the Co-Leader of the California Government Law & Policy Group in the firm’s Sacramento office. She is an accomplished legislative strategist and leader with a track record of rapid advancement grounded in proven strategic and communication talents, collaborative skills, and trusted integrity. Alice has deep relationships with California policymakers, thought leaders, and community-based organizations. She leverages her well-honed skills to build consensus, gain buy-in, and motivate team members and partners.

Alice helped to launch the startup state advocacy practice at one of the largest public affairs consultancies on the West Coast, where she worked to advance the interests of technology firms, automakers, trade associations, and local government entities. As managing partner for one of the fastest growing lobbying firms in Sacramento, she oversaw all business operations and represented clients in the areas of energy, technology, health care, and education.

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Photo of Timothy Long Timothy Long

Timothy Long, Co-Managing Shareholder of the Sacramento office, has deep experience litigating complex labor and employment issues, having served as lead counsel in multiple class, collective, and representative actions and advising on dozens more. Tim splits his time between GT’s Los Angeles and…

Timothy Long, Co-Managing Shareholder of the Sacramento office, has deep experience litigating complex labor and employment issues, having served as lead counsel in multiple class, collective, and representative actions and advising on dozens more. Tim splits his time between GT’s Los Angeles and Sacramento offices, and is Practice Group Leader of the Sacramento office’s Labor & Employment Practice. Tim’s clients have included a variety of financial institutions and entities, health care-related entities, airlines, retailers, high-tech companies, and transportation and logistics companies. Tim also advises private investment funds and their partners in disputes concerning the management of funds, removal of non-performing members, and disputes involving portfolio companies.

Tim has litigated virtually every wage-and-hour issue there is, including exemption, incentive compensation, independent contractor, off-the-clock, meal and rest, pay practice, and PAGA claims. He also has defeated class and collective certification (including at Stage One) in exemption, off-the-clock, and pay practice cases, and has defeated PAGA claims short of trial. Tim has also litigated a wide variety of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims, as well as wrongful termination, defamation, Anti-SLAPP, fraud, emotional distress, breach of contract, and other employment-related claims. Tim has both prosecuted and defended employers in trade secret and unfair business practices litigation. He has also resisted competitor efforts to enjoin the lawful practices of his clients.

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Photo of Riley Lagesen Riley Lagesen

Riley Lagesen, chair of Greenberg Traurig’s Global Restaurant Industry Group, serves as lead counsel to many of the nation’s most well-known restaurant brands and culinary talent. Riley’s passion for the restaurant industry comes from his many years as a restaurant employee, and later…

Riley Lagesen, chair of Greenberg Traurig’s Global Restaurant Industry Group, serves as lead counsel to many of the nation’s most well-known restaurant brands and culinary talent. Riley’s passion for the restaurant industry comes from his many years as a restaurant employee, and later, a restaurant owner, in Los Angeles. He saw an opportunity for law firms to better serve restaurant industry clients, and has dedicated his career to supporting both clients and the restaurant industry.

Ranked and recognized in the restaurant industry as a leading legal and business advisor, Riley has deep restaurant finance and development experience, enabling him to help clients develop and execute up growth strategies. He is also well-connected in restaurant and food policy circles, leading efforts to create greater public access to real food, among other things.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Riley co-founded the Restaurant Employee Relief Fund (RERF) with his long-time client Chef Guy Fieri, which raised approximately $23 million and provided over 40,000 grants to impacted restaurant employees. In recognition of this work, Riley was selected as by the National Law Journal as a 2020 Crisis Leadership Trailblazer. Riley also founded and created Restaurant High, a popular not-for-profit and invitation only business, leadership and advocacy summit that attracts leading restaurant minds from around the country.

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Photo of David W. Oppenheim David W. Oppenheim

David W. Oppenheim concentrates his practice on domestic and international franchising, licensing, and distribution matters. He is recognized by Chambers USA as a leading, national franchise attorney. He advises both emerging and mature companies with respect to planning, structuring, and implementing national and…

David W. Oppenheim concentrates his practice on domestic and international franchising, licensing, and distribution matters. He is recognized by Chambers USA as a leading, national franchise attorney. He advises both emerging and mature companies with respect to planning, structuring, and implementing national and international franchise, distribution, and licensing programs, including negotiating franchise agreements, ancillary agreements, regulatory compliance, including the preparation of franchise disclosure documents, and securing registration of franchise offerings in the United States and abroad.

David is also experienced in mergers and acquisitions and sophisticated financing transactions, including the securitizations of a franchisor’s royalty stream. He represents private equity firms and public and private companies in the acquisition of franchise, licensing, and distribution systems. David routinely counsels clients regarding the implementation of compliance programs and system-wide standards. He also advises franchise clients regarding complex franchise relationship issues and disputes.

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Photo of Taylor Hall Taylor Hall

Taylor Hall is a member of the Labor & Employment Practice in Greenberg Traurig’s Sacramento office. Taylor’s practice is focused on representing client employers in both single-plaintiff and class action matters, ranging from employment discrimination, harassment, and retaliation to large-scale wage and hour…

Taylor Hall is a member of the Labor & Employment Practice in Greenberg Traurig’s Sacramento office. Taylor’s practice is focused on representing client employers in both single-plaintiff and class action matters, ranging from employment discrimination, harassment, and retaliation to large-scale wage and hour class and PAGA actions. In addition, Taylor provides counseling advice to clients relating to compliance with the many facets of California employment law.

Taylor is an author of the Americans with Disabilities Act chapter of PLI’s National Employment Law Yearbook, as well as the Leaves of Absence chapter of PLI’s California- specific Employment Law Yearbook.

Prior to joining the firm, Taylor served as a judicial extern to the Honorable Consuelo Callahan of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

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