{"id":4042,"date":"2020-01-06T10:05:09","date_gmt":"2020-01-06T15:05:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pihra.org\/?p=4042"},"modified":"2020-01-23T13:59:57","modified_gmt":"2020-01-23T18:59:57","slug":"are-mandatory-arbitration-agreements-now-illegal-in-california","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pihra.org\/staging\/pihra-news\/are-mandatory-arbitration-agreements-now-illegal-in-california\/","title":{"rendered":"Are Mandatory Arbitration Agreements Now Illegal in California?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<div class=\"&quot;\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h1><span class=\"h1-grey-italic margin-bottom-45\">Are Mandatory Arbitration Agreements Now Illegal in California?<\/span><\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"h2-Palanquin margin-bottom-10\"><span class=\"teal-font\">Keynote Speaker Spotlight with <\/span>Michelle Rapoport and Rich Falcone&nbsp;<\/h2>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=&#8221;4052&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221; el_class=&#8221;margin-bottom-45&#8243;][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"h3-palanquin-dark margin-bottom-25\">Are Mandatory Arbitration Agreements Now Illegal in California?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"h3_left-column margin-bottom-25\">Happy new year &#8211; it&#8217;s time for your business to comply with the new California and federal laws!&nbsp;You may know that many California employers have implemented mandatory arbitration agreements for their employees &#8212; and for very good reason. However, the California Legislature and Supreme Court recently and continuously have sought to make mandatory arbitration agreements illegal and unenforceable. Are you unsure of how that impacts your business? If so, then make plans to join our <a href=\"#speaker\">keynote speakers<\/a> at a <a href=\"\/legalupdate\/\">PIHRA 2020 Legal Update<\/a> near you!<\/p>\n<p class=\"h3_left-column margin-bottom-25\">In this this keynote program at the <a href=\"\/legalupdate\/\">PIHRA 2020 Legal Update<\/a>, Michelle and Rich will cover the benefits and risks of mandatory arbitration agreements for all employees. Secondly, they will cover the impact of the recent attacks on those agreements by the California Legislature with the passage and Governor\u2019s signing of AB 51 and SB 707. Thirdly, they&#8217;ll cover the decision of the California Supreme Court in Oto LLC v. Kho (September, 2019). In conclusion, you&#8217;ll learn what employers need to do currently to prepare and implement enforceable arbitration agreements.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"h3_left-column margin-bottom-25\"><strong>Michelle and Rich will provide takeaways such as:<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul class=\"h3_left-column margin-bottom-25\">\n<li class=\"h3_left-column margin-bottom-0\">Understand the benefits and risks of mandatory arbitration agreements in California.<\/li>\n<li class=\"h3_left-column margin-bottom-0\">Understand the target of the most recent Legislative and judicial attacks on arbitration agreements and how to avoid subjecting your arbitration agreement to a successful attack.<\/li>\n<li class=\"h3_left-column margin-bottom-0\">Learn the terms and procedures employers need to include and follow in order to ensure their arbitration agreement is enforceable.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"h3_left-column margin-bottom-25\">Michelle and Rich&#8217;s <a href=\"\/legalupdate\/\">PIHRA 2020 Legal Update<\/a> keynote session<strong><em> &#8220;Are Mandatory Arbitration Agreements Now Illegal in California?&#8221;<\/em><\/strong> will be informative and entertaining. It&#8217;s a must-attend for California employers who need to know about these complex legislative topics. Above all, business owners and HR pros will gain the insight needed to navigate the trickiest new 2020 employment laws in California.<\/p>\n<p class=\"h3_left-column margin-bottom-25\">In order to uncover the full value Michelle and Rich will provide, <a href=\"#BaskaranAmbalavanan\">Baskaran Ambalavanan<\/a> interviewed our keynote speakers themselves. Read on to learn more about this tricky topic and what you can expect at the PIHRA 2020 Legal Update.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"h2-Palanquin margin-bottom-15\"><span class=\"teal-font\">Keynote Speaker Spotlight: <\/span>Michelle Rapoport and Rich Falcone, Littler<\/h2>\n<p class=\"h3_left-column margin-bottom-25\"><em>Special thanks to contributing writer and PIHRA Programs Chair, <a href=\"#BaskaranAmbalavanan\">Baskaran Ambalavanan<\/a>. Baskaran conducted this interview with PIHRA 2020 Legal Update keynote speakers Michelle Rapoport and Rich Falcone.<\/em><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"h3-palanquin-dark margin-bottom-25\">PIHRA: Effective January 1, 2020 California employers can no longer compel workers into signing an \u2018Arbitration Agreement\u2019 as a condition of employment. As a result, how can CA employers minimize the risk?<\/h3>\n<p class=\"h3_left-column margin-bottom-25\"><strong>Michelle Rapoport and Rich Falcone:<\/strong> Well, the simple answer probably is to have \u201cvoluntary\u201d agreements with a carve-out for uncovered claims. However, for those employers that are willing to be bold and creative, there are other alternatives.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"h3-palanquin-dark margin-bottom-25\">Doesn&#8217;t AB5 pre-empt the FAA? Should employers change the language now or wait until it\u2019s litigated and decided in the courts?<\/h3>\n<p class=\"h3_left-column margin-bottom-25\"><strong>Michelle Rapoport and Rich Falcone:<\/strong> Actually, there\u2019s a very compelling argument that the FAA preempts AB 51. This will depend on each individual employer\u2019s understanding of the risks. However, its risk aversion tolerance will dictate whether it is willing to require employees to sign an arbitration agreement as a condition of employment, or whether it will wait to see what the courts ultimately decide about the preemptive effect of the FAA on AB 51.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"h3-palanquin-dark margin-bottom-25\">Is there a secret sauce to avoid subjecting the arbitration agreements from legal attacks?<\/h3>\n<p class=\"h3_left-column margin-bottom-10\"><strong>Michelle Rapoport and Rich Falcone:<\/strong> Yes, by simply complying with the new requirements of AB 51. Or, we\u2019ve heard it said that $$ can work as a legal incentive to satisfy the requirements of the law.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"h3-palanquin-dark margin-bottom-25\">What is the best way to ensure arbitration agreements are enforceable in the AB5 era?<\/h3>\n<p class=\"h3_left-column margin-bottom-25\"><strong>Michelle Rapoport and Rich Falcone:<\/strong> AB 51, like any law, basically sets out a step-by-step process or checklist for the reader to follow. We\u2019ll cover that step-by-step process during our presentation. Moreover, we&#8217;ll also describe how employers can evaluate how much they can \u201cpush the margins,\u201d but remain compliant.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"h3-palanquin-dark margin-bottom-25\">Why are you excited to present at the PIHRA 2020 Legal Update?<\/h3>\n<p class=\"h3_left-column margin-bottom-25\"><strong>Michelle Rapoport and Rich Falcone:<\/strong> We are passionate about helping employers, all employers, to meet their obligations under California\u2019s ever changing workplace laws. That passion is not simply motivated by a need to comply with all laws. As a result, we see employers, particularly the small and medium size businesses, as the backbone of California and our country. Furthermore, businesses create jobs and allow employees and their families to meet the basic necessities to survive and hopefully to prosper. Those business owners are today\u2019s \u201cHoratio Alger\u2019s.\u201d Above all, we want to help them succeed by providing a clear roadmap for complying with California\u2019s very complex employment laws.<\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<hr>\n<p><a name=\"speaker\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h4 class=\"h3-palanquin-dark margin-bottom-10\">Are you getting HR Certified in 2020?<\/h4>\n<p class=\"body-txt-alignment margin-bottom-10\">Join PIHRA&#8217;s preparation class led by expert instructors to help you pass your certification exam:<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-bullet-wrapper-gold margin-bottom-25\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mypihra.org\/events\/EventDetails.aspx?id=1289567&amp;group=\">Register for the January 2020 SHRM-CP \/ SHRM-SCP Preparation Course<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<hr>\n<h2 class=\"h2-Palanquin margin-bottom-15\"><span class=\"teal-font\">About Michelle Rapoport,<\/span> Keynote Speaker at the PIHRA 2020 Legal Update<\/h2>\n<p class=\"body-txt-alignment margin-bottom-10\"><img style=\"width: 20%; float: left; padding: 5px 5px 5px 5px;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pihra.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Michelle-Rapoport-BW.png\" alt=\"Are Mandatory Arbitration Agreements Now Illegal in California? with Michelle Rapoport at PIHRA 2020 Legal Update\">Michelle Rapoport is a shareholder with Littler Mendelson. Littler is the largest U.S.-based law firm exclusively devoted to representing management in employment and labor law matters.<\/p>\n<p class=\"body-txt-alignment margin-bottom-10\">She concentrates her practice on discrimination and harassment, wrongful termination, and wage and hour class action claims. She is an experienced litigator who represents companies in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, logistics, retail, and health care.<\/p>\n<p class=\"body-txt-alignment margin-bottom-10\">Additionally, Michelle counsels employers on a variety of issues. These include disability accommodations, leaves of absence, employee discipline, employee handbooks and general employment policies and procedures.<\/p>\n<p class=\"body-txt-alignment margin-bottom-10\">Recently, Michelle has:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"body-txt-alignment margin-bottom-10\">Defeated class certification in a state wide class action involving thousands of employees in the financial industry.\n<ul>\n<li class=\"body-txt-alignment margin-bottom-10\">This includes claims of \u201coff the clock\u201d overtime and failure to pay overtime at the correct rate.<\/li>\n<li class=\"body-txt-alignment margin-bottom-10\">Lastly, this includes meal and rest break violations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"body-txt-alignment margin-bottom-10\">Defeated class certification on behalf of a Fortune 500 company in a state-wide class action alleging \u201coff the clock\u201d overtime.<\/li>\n<li class=\"body-txt-alignment margin-bottom-10\">Obtained summary judgment in a case alleging disability discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination in violation of public policy, on behalf of a large retailer.<\/li>\n<li class=\"body-txt-alignment margin-bottom-10\">Successfully represented an engineering firm in a dispute alleging discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, retaliation, harassment, and breach of contract.<\/li>\n<li class=\"body-txt-alignment margin-bottom-10\">Obtained summary adjudication of wage-and-hour claims alleging failure to reimburse for business expenses for a company in the financial industry.<\/li>\n<li class=\"body-txt-alignment margin-bottom-10\">Obtained a defense verdict in a jury trial alleging sex and disability discrimination and harassment for a national medical supply company.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<hr>\n<h2 class=\"h2-Palanquin margin-bottom-15\"><span class=\"teal-font\">About Rich S. Falcone,<\/span> Keynote Speaker at the PIHRA 2020 Legal Update<\/h2>\n<p class=\"body-txt-alignment margin-bottom-10\"><img style=\"width: 20%; float: left; padding: 5px 5px 5px 5px;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pihra.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Rich-Falcone-BW.png\" alt=\"Are Mandatory Arbitration Agreements Now Illegal in California? with Rich Falcone at PIHRA 2020 Legal Update\">Richard S. Falcone specializes in the representation of management in all aspects of employment and labor law and litigation. He regularly appears before state and federal courts and administrative agencies and focuses his practice on:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"body-txt-alignment margin-bottom-10\">Wrongful termination<\/li>\n<li class=\"body-txt-alignment margin-bottom-10\">Discrimination claims of every nature<\/li>\n<li class=\"body-txt-alignment margin-bottom-10\">Sexual harassment<\/li>\n<li class=\"body-txt-alignment margin-bottom-10\">Wage and hour<\/li>\n<li class=\"body-txt-alignment margin-bottom-10\">Trade secrets misappropriation and unfair competition<\/li>\n<li class=\"body-txt-alignment margin-bottom-10\">Labor relations<\/li>\n<li class=\"body-txt-alignment margin-bottom-10\">Occupational safety and health<\/li>\n<li class=\"body-txt-alignment margin-bottom-10\">Workplace violence restraining orders.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"body-txt-alignment margin-bottom-10\">Rich also counsels and advises employers on all issues arising under state and federal employment and labor relations laws, including:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"body-txt-alignment margin-bottom-10\">Litigation avoidance<\/li>\n<li class=\"body-txt-alignment margin-bottom-10\">Employee terminations<\/li>\n<li class=\"body-txt-alignment margin-bottom-10\">Workplace investigations<\/li>\n<li class=\"body-txt-alignment margin-bottom-10\">Drafting compensation and severance packages<\/li>\n<li class=\"body-txt-alignment margin-bottom-10\">Protection of proprietary information<\/li>\n<li class=\"body-txt-alignment margin-bottom-10\">Reductions-in-force<\/li>\n<li class=\"body-txt-alignment margin-bottom-10\">Workplace violence<\/li>\n<li class=\"body-txt-alignment margin-bottom-10\">Employee training.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"body-txt-alignment margin-bottom-10\">Rich has achieved many significant results in litigation on behalf of his clients during his 30 years of practice. In several cases he represented a national grocery chain. In the first, he obtained a motion to declare the plaintiff a vexatious litigant. In the second, the court dismissed the case and awarded the client recovery of some of its attorney&#8217;s fees. He also handled a case for a major bank, in which he obtained the dismissal of a wage and hour class action. In another, the court granted his motion for summary judgment, dismissing the case and awarding the client recovery of costs.<\/p>\n<p class=\"body-txt-alignment margin-bottom-10\">Richard is a regular speaker on various subjects, such as:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"body-txt-alignment margin-bottom-10\">eDiscovery<\/li>\n<li class=\"body-txt-alignment margin-bottom-10\">Leaves of absence<\/li>\n<li class=\"body-txt-alignment margin-bottom-10\">Sexual harassment<\/li>\n<li class=\"body-txt-alignment margin-bottom-10\">Union organization issues.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Additionally, he also gives litigation overview presentations for human resources professionals and managers. In law school, he was associate editor of the Santa Clara Law Review.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<hr>\n<p><a name=\"BaskaranAmbalavanan\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h4 class=\"h3-palanquin-dark margin-bottom-10\">Is it time to renew your PIHRA membership?<\/h4>\n<p class=\"body-txt-alignment margin-bottom-10\">This special offer (for active PIHRA members only) ends January 30, 2020:<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-bullet-wrapper-gold margin-bottom-25\"><strong><a href=\"\/pihra-2020-renewal-bundles\/#pihra-2020-bundles\">Check out our Legal Update Renewal Bundles for Active PIHRA Members!<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<hr>\n<h2 class=\"h2-Palanquin margin-bottom-15\"><span class=\"teal-font\">Interview Conducted by Baskaran Ambalavanan,<\/span> MBA, SPHR, GPHR, SHRM-SCP, PIHRA Programs Chair<\/h2>\n<p class=\"body-txt-alignment margin-bottom-10\"><img style=\"width: 20%; float: left; padding: 5px 5px 5px 5px;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pihra.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Baskaran-2020-Rounded-Headshot.png\" alt=\"Baskaran Ambalavanan, PIHRA Programs Chair\">Baskaran Ambalavanan, MBA, has more than two decades of HR experience in India, Oman, and the U.S. in both the functional HR and in the HRIS\/HR Technology.<\/p>\n<p class=\"body-txt-alignment margin-bottom-10\">He is the Principal of Hila Solutions, LLC, a full-service HR Technology Advisory firm for SMEs. Baskaran earned his MBA from Alliance Manchester Business School, U.K. and also certified in SPHR, SHRM-SCP, GPHR, and PHRca.<\/p>\n<p class=\"body-txt-alignment margin-bottom-10\">He is based in Irvine, California and serving as the Programs Chair for PIHRA and an active volunteer leader in SHRM, IHRIM. In his role as PIHRA Programs Chair, Baskaran is instrumental in curating HR sessions for the <a href=\"\/legalupdate\/\">PIHRA Legal Update<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/cahrconference.org\">California HR Conference<\/a>. He is responsible for assembling the Task Force that selects <a href=\"https:\/\/cahrconference.org\/apply-to-speak-at-the-2020-california-hr-conference\/\">California HR Conference speakers<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"body-txt-alignment margin-bottom-10\">You can follow Baskaran&#8217;s insights on all things technology, HR, leadership, and strategy on Twitter at <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/baski_LA\">@baski_LA<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/baski\/\">LinkedIn<\/a>. <a href=\"\/legalupdate\/\">Register today to join us at a PIHRA 2020 Legal Update near you<\/a> and learn from the top legal experts in California!<\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<hr>\n<h2 class=\"h2-Palanquin margin-bottom-0\"><span class=\"teal-font\">JOIN THE CALIFORNIA HR COMMUNITY <\/span>AT THE PIHRA 2020 LEGAL UPDATE<\/h2>\n<h2 class=\"h3-palanquin-dark margin-bottom-25\">Space is running out!<\/h2>\n<p class=\"p-bullet-wrapper-gold margin-bottom-25\"><strong><a href=\"\/legalupdate\/#ranchomirage\">Rancho Mirage (\u00bd-Day)<\/a> | <a href=\"\/legalupdate\/#riverside\">Riverside<\/a> | <a href=\"\/legalupdate\/#lajolla\">La Jolla<\/a> | <a href=\"\/legalupdate\/#anaheim\">Anaheim<\/a> | <a href=\"\/legalupdate\/#burbank\">Burbank<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"h3_left-column margin-bottom-25\">Experience a comprehensive California legal update with Professionals In Human Resources Association. In the world of human resources, staying ahead of constantly evolving employment laws and workplace legislation is essential. Thankfully, PIHRA&#8217;s most famous flagship program will provide timely information, tips and crucial resources you need. Our expert speakers will help you cut through the complexity, so that you can protect your organization and effectively manage risk.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-bullet-wrapper-blue margin-bottom-45\"><a href=\"\/legalupdate\/\"><strong>\u2192 Register Today!<\/strong><\/a><em> (Group discounts available)<\/em><\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This keynote session at the PIHRA 2020 Legal Update will help you understand the benefits and risks of mandatory arbitration agreements in California, and how to avoid subjecting your arbitration agreement to a successful attack.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":4053,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0},"categories":[68],"tags":[862,1877,1878,861,860,1229],"yst_prominent_words":[876,874,2063,2071,2066,161,2069,2065,2061,2072,2067,2062,875,873,872,1951,2070,2068,2073,2075],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pihra.org\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4042"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pihra.org\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pihra.org\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pihra.org\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pihra.org\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4042"}],"version-history":[{"count":21,"href":"https:\/\/www.pihra.org\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4042\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4301,"href":"https:\/\/www.pihra.org\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4042\/revisions\/4301"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pihra.org\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4053"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pihra.org\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4042"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pihra.org\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4042"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pihra.org\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4042"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pihra.org\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=4042"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}