In episode 123, Coffey talks with Corinne Spencer about the latest changes in California employment law.

They discuss the complexities of California law in contrast to the rest of the country; California’s upcoming protections for off-work cannabis use and their impact on drug-free workplaces; California’s modified but ongoing COVID prevention regulations; the increase in wage and hour litigation; and the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) which allows private plaintiffs to prosecute alleged violations of California labor law.

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About our Guest:

Corinne Spencer is a partner and the Chair of the firm’s Labor and Employment Practice Group. Corinne also spearheads the firm’s Environmental Law practice, including, but not limited to, California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) matters. Prior to returning to Pearlman Brown & Wax, Corinne was counsel with Lewis, Brisbois, Bisgaard, & Smith, a national, full-service law firm listed among the AmLaw 100.

Corinne is dedicated to representing and counseling clients in employment-related matters, including litigation, risk assessment, policy preparation, personnel decisions, and training. She represents employers in State and Federal Courts and appears before all state and federal employment-related agencies, including the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH), Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE), Employment Development Department (EDD), and U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

Corinne’s practice encompasses single-party discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination cases, most often arising out of the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), wage-and-hour class actions, and Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) Representative Actions. She has defended numerous clients across all industries including food service, healthcare, sporting goods, and entertainment. In addition to conducting independent investigations of workplace misconduct, Corinne has extensive experience drafting law and motion, responding to discovery, taking, and defending depositions, and arguing substantive and dispositive motions. She also zealously advocates for employers and management in mediations, arbitrations, trial, and appellate courts.

Most recently, Corinne successfully appealed to a trial court’s decision to deny a motion to compel arbitration. After Corinne argued the case before the California Court of Appeal, the decision issued in favor of her client, the employer, reversing the trial court’s decision with instructions the matter should be ordered to arbitration.

Corinne Spencer can be reached at:

https://www.pbw-law.com/professionals/partners/corinne-spencer

https://www.linkedin.com/in/corinne-spencer-744a3825

https://www.linkedin.com/company/pearlman-brown-wax-llp 

https://www.facebook.com/pearlmanbrownandwax

About Mike Coffey:

Mike Coffey is an entrepreneur, human resources professional, licensed private investigator, and HR consultant.

In 1999, he founded Imperative, a background investigations firm helping risk-averse companies make well-informed decisions about the people they involve in their business.

Today, Imperative serves hundreds of businesses across the US and, through its PFC Caregiver & Household Screening brand, many more private estates, family offices, and personal service agencies.

Mike has been recognized as an Entrepreneur of Excellence and has twice been named HR Professional of the Year.

Additionally, Imperative has been named the Texas Association of Business’ small business of the year and is accredited by the Professional Background Screening Association.

Mike is a member of the Fort Worth chapter of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization and volunteers with the SHRM Texas State Council.

Mike maintains his certification as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) through the HR Certification Institute. He is also a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP).

Mike lives in Fort Worth with his very patient wife. He practices yoga and maintains a keto diet, about both of which he will gladly tell you way more than you want to know.

Learning Objectives:

1. Explore the implications for California employers regarding off-work cannabis use protections.

2. Understand the ongoing COVID-related regulations affecting workplaces in California.

3. Gain insights into wage and hour litigation trends and considerations for California workplaces, including PAGA and evolving COVID regulations.