A federal jury trial is underway in San Francisco, which is the culmination of a trade secret battle between Uber and Waymo (a Google owned company) related to self-driving technology. A jury will hear the case in federal district court about whether Uber misappropriated eight trade secrets from a former Google engineer. The case illustrates […]
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Seattle-Based Zillow Under Fire in New Jersey Federal Court
Zillow Group, the Seattle-based online real estate database and creator of its proprietary “Zestimate” home valuation estimation algorithm, is being sued in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. Plaintiff EJ MGT LLC is alleging that the Zestimate is an inaccurate estimation tool, and that Zillow has violated antitrust laws by entering […]
Raids and Employment Verifications: An Employer’s Guide to Prepare for ICE Visits
On January 10th, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”)[1] agents targeted nearly 100 7-Eleven stores nationwide in search of undocumented workers. The raids at the 7-Eleven stores are the result of the Trump Administration’s efforts to increase raids and compliance investigations. It comes as no surprise, therefore, that employers should take proactive measures in order […]
Essential Considerations for Short-Term Rental Operators
Rentals for vacationers and travelers through platforms such as Airbnb, VRBO, HomeAway, and Vacasa have seen a surge in popularity over the past few years, and offer an alternative to the traditionally available options like hotels, resorts, and hostels. With the increase in consumers seeking alternative options, more and more property owners are embracing the […]
New Seattle City Ordinances Impose Restrictions on Short-Term Rental Operators
Over the course of the past several years, an enormous market for short-term and vacation rentals through platforms such as Airbnb, VRBO, HomeAway, and Vacasa has developed across the U.S. and worldwide. Operators of these short-term rentals range from homeowners and hosts renting out a spare bedroom, mother-in-law unit, or apartment, to larger operators renting […]
NLRB Overrules the Browning-Ferris Joint Employer Test
On December 14, 2017, the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB” or “Board”) limited liability in employment law cases by heightening the standard for what constitutes a joint employer. In its 3-2 decision, the NLRB overruled its 2015 decision in Browning-Ferris Industries of California, Inc. d/b/a BFI Newby Island Recyclery (“Browning-Ferris”)[1] and abandoned the Obama-era expansion […]
Holiday Cheer, But No Beer?
During this holiday season, for many employers the “holiday party” is a tradition to develop inter-personal relationships amongst colleagues and celebrate the end of the year together. In keeping with the festive mood, employers often provide ample food and drinks for everyone to enjoy. However, this year, employees might notice an absentee at their holiday […]
Refusal to Hire an Applicant Due to Prior Opposition to Discriminatory Practices of a Prior Employer Can Expose Employer to Liability Under WLAD
On November 9, the Washington State Supreme Court (WSSC) en banc filed its opinion on the certified question of whether “RCW 49.60.210(1) create[s] a cause of action for job applicants who claim a prospective employer refused to hire them in retaliation in opposition to discrimination against a different employer.” In short, the WSSC concluded yes, […]
I Want Him Out
“I want him out.” “I want her gone.” I hear this a lot from clients. They co-own a limited liability company (an “LLC”) with another person or another couple, and things just aren’t working out. They have equal voting power, or decisions require unanimous votes, and each side has a different, strongly-held opinion about how […]
New Washington State Supreme Court Case: Updated Standard for Discrimination Claims and A Warning That Policies Can Modify At-Will Employment
On October 19, 2017, the Washington State Supreme Court entered its opinion in the matter of Mikkelsen v. Public Utility District No. 1 of Kittias County, et al. In Mikkelsen, the female plaintiff sued her former employer (a utility district) for wrongful discharge based on gender and age discrimination, and failure to follow the progressive […]