Law is a constantly changing field. What worked one year may not work the next, and what’s hot one quarter is a challenge to master the next. That’s why lawyers need to keep an eye on the concept of “new law,” which is often hard to define, but usually involves working with new communities, embracing technology and creating processes that don’t fit into traditional legal models.
Some examples of this include solo or small firm practices, alternative legal service providers (ALSPs) and in-house counsel. The term can also apply to a practice area or approach that has its own distinct staff, separate leadership and a different fee structure from the firm’s primary business. This concept is growing, and firms should look for ways to tap into it as a way of diversifying their client base, expanding the range of services they offer and boosting profitability.
Several new laws took effect in 2022, including some with a noticeable impact on Californians’ daily lives. Those include a ban on gender bias in prices and a new law to make it easier for job applicants to find out how much they might be paid.
The state law would require companies with more than 15 employees to disclose salary ranges for positions listed on their job postings. This is intended to help job seekers compare salaries and to address concerns about unequal pay. It’s similar to a law passed last year in Massachusetts that requires employers to provide pay data broken down by gender, race and position.
City agencies that experience security breaches involving persons’ private identifying information must report the breach to the Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications, and to the Chief Privacy Officer. This bill expands the definition of what constitutes such a breach, and would bring the requirements for reporting into greater alignment with the state law.
This bill would prohibit food service establishments from charging customers for COVID-19 recovery fees. The bill would also amend existing laws to allow for the waiver and refund of these charges, and to establish procedures for establishing eligibility for reimbursement.
This bill would permit the Mayor to issue a certificate of authority to any person, organization or entity that wants to offer food delivery services in the City. It would also authorize the Mayor to designate a department to administer the program, and provide for other administrative provisions. It would further provide for a licensing scheme and repeal a subchapter of the Administrative Code that contains the existing laws that regulate third-party food delivery services.