In this episode of Hiring to Firing, hosts Tracey Diamond and Emily Schifter are joined by Paul White, a partner at Resolution Economics, to demystify the world of expert witnesses in employment matters. Using memorable clips from My Cousin Vinny, Legally Blonde, and The Big Short, they explore what it really means to be an
Blue Origin’s Arbitration Agreement Was Too One-Sided: Stoker v. Blue Origin Shows What California Courts Won’t Tolerate
AI-generated image.In Stoker v. Blue Origin, LLC, B344945 (Cal. Ct. App. Apr. 24, 2026), a former senior director at the space exploration company beat Blue Origin’s motion to compel arbitration—not because the federal Ending Forced Arbitration Act protected him, but because his employment agreement was so one-sided that California courts refused to enforce it
Colorado Takes a Major Step Towards Rewriting Its AI Law As Its Effective Date Approaches
Quick Hit: In 2024, Colorado enacted the Colorado Artificial Intelligence Act (the “AI Act”), the most comprehensive measure regulating the use of AI in the nation. As the law’s June 30, 2026 effective date approaches, and given the significant concerns raised about the AI Act, on March 17, 2026, the Colorado AI Policy Work Group (the “Work Group”),
Dashcams: There’s More Risk To Manage Than You’d Expect
In recent years, many organizations have installed dashcams in their vehicles to improve safety and compliance, reduce costs, and better understand what’s happening in the field. Dashcams can be extremely useful for these purposes, giving organizations visibility into risky driver behaviors and misuse of company property. They can also lower insurance costs and provide valuable
Poor Richard’s Guide to Not Being a Professional Pessimist
When my daughter was in high school, we fired her therapist.
Not because therapy doesn’t work. Not because she didn’t need help. But because the therapist insisted on something that was deeply counterproductive—an obsessive focus on the negative.
Every session circled the same drain. What was wrong. What hurt. What wasn’t working. Week after week.
Martinez v. Sierra Lifestar is a reminder that California courts are not going to let employers defeat wage‑and‑hour class actions just by slicing up bonus practices and calling them “unique” to each employee.
What happened in Martinez?
A former EMT sued his private ambulance employer, alleging it systematically underpaid overtime, double time, and meal/rest premiums by excluding nondiscretionary bonuses from the regular rate of pay. The company paid around ten different types of bonuses, but the named plaintiff had only ever received one of them—a bonus paid during
Using Artificial Intelligence can Waive the Attorney-Client Privilege
Everyone likes Artificial Intelligence. A person can access deep information within just a couple minutes. But, in doing so, the person may sacrifice certain rights. In U.S. v. Heppner, 2026 WL 436479 (S.D. N.Y. Feb.17, 2026), Bradley Heppner was charged with securities fraud in Dallas. Like many persons, he then consulted with a lawyer and
Twyla Carter on 150 Years of the Legal Aid Society of New York
This week on the Legal Lens show we welcomed Twyla Carter, Attorney-in-Chief and CEO of the Legal Aid Society of New York where she discusses the 150 year history of the organization and their efforts to create access to justice for all New Yorkers.
As described by Carter, the Legal Aid Society has spent over
Labor + Employment Workforce Watch – April 2026
Labor + Employment Workforce Watch is a guide to the employment law developments most likely to impact your business. The Troutman Pepper Locke Labor + Employment team represents employers in the most sensitive workplace matters, enabling our clients to concentrate on their core business operations. Our team is adept at handling and managing labor and
A Concerted Effort to Regulate Workplace Technology – What Public Employers Need to Know About Proposed State Legislation
While many employers view implementation of workplace technology as a managerial prerogative, labor unions are increasingly framing issues such as electronic surveillance of employees, workplace algorithmic decision-making, and Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven management tools as core terms and conditions of employment and a new frontier for labor rights.
A set of proposed bills before the California