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It used to be pretty simple. A design professional, such as an architect, had very limited duties to a third party purchaser of a home or a homeowners association (HOA).  However, following a recent California appellate...

Basically, bid shopping is the use of the low bid already received by a contractor to pressure other subcontractors into submitting even lower bids.  Bid peddling, on the other hand, is an attempt by a subcontractor to...

Imagine you have the most amazing case. If you sue, there is little doubt that you would win. The facts appear perfectly aligned for you. But should you sue? Among the most important investigations you should commit to is a...

In these difficult economic times, some are providing loans to distressed businesses and individuals at high interest rates. Based on a recent experience, I caution lenders to ensure their interest rates are legal. As you...

What happens if a general contractor hires an independent contractor to perform dangerous work and one of the contractor’s workers is injured on the job?  Is the general contractor liable for the worker’s injuries?  In...

It is no secret that in today’s economy, an increasing number of subcontractors and material suppliers are not being paid for work performed or materials supplied on construction projects.  If a preliminary notice was...

The California Supreme Court released its much anticipated decision regarding the requirements for meal and rest breaks for non-exempt employees.  The decision in Brinker Restaurant Corp. v. Superior Court, No. D049331...

When improvements, alterations, or repairs are made to real property, the owner of the property is usually involved in the process.  But what happens when work is done on behalf of a lessee without the owner’s knowledge,...