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Employment

Every story on LexCircuit filed under employment: court orders, regulation, ethics opinions, litigation and research, each summarized across its sources.

89 stories

9TH CIR.Court order

Ninth Circuit keeps California's captive audience meeting ban on hold

A Ninth Circuit panel affirmed a preliminary injunction blocking California's SB 399, which bars employers from disciplining workers who skip mandatory meetings about religious or political matters. Judge Richard Tallman wrote that the law applies only when employers express opinions at those meetings, so it regulates speech based on content. The court found the business groups likely to succeed on their First Amendment claim and did not decide federal labor-law preemption.

Order (Courthouse News Service) → · Law360
ILL.People moves

Simpson Thacher adds four Chicago partners from White & Case and Kirkland

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett has hired four partners for its Chicago office, which opened in August. M&A partners Shiva Sandill and Trevor Currie have joined from White & Case, and Kirkland & Ellis restructuring partner David Gremling and executive compensation and benefits partner Lauren Cates will follow. The hires bring the new office to nearly a dozen partners, The American Lawyer reported.

Announcement (The Global Legal Post) → · The American Lawyer
UK · EWCACourt order

Court of Appeal caps Convatec costs budget at £4 million and lets inventor claim for combined patents

The Court of Appeal of England and Wales held on October 26, 2026, in Parsons v Convatec [2026] EWCA Civ 1357 that section 106 of the Patents Act 1977, on parties' financial position in costs orders, applies to costs budgeting, and that an employee may claim compensation for the combined benefit of several inventions. Lord Justice Arnold capped Convatec's budgeted recoverable costs at £4 million in former chemist David Parsons' claim, valued at up to £366 million.

Order (ICLG) → · Law Society Gazette, Court of Appeal (Civil Division)
S.D.N.Y.Court order

Judge rules Justice Department unlawfully fired prosecutor Maurene Comey

U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman ruled on October 26, 2026, that the Justice Department illegally fired Maurene Comey, a federal prosecutor in Manhattan and the daughter of former FBI Director James Comey, because the firing violated civil service protections and her due process rights. He rejected the government's argument that presidential removal power covered the firing and said Comey is entitled to reinstatement and back pay. The department said it would appeal.

Order (Bloomberg Law) → · NPR

Rulings this week

All court orders

PA.Regulation

Pennsylvania Act 108 creates statewide licensure for electrical contractors and electricians

Pennsylvania Senate Bill 1260 was approved on October 22, 2026, as Act No. 108 of 2026, the Electrical Services Licensure Act. From October 22, 2028, an individual may not provide electrical services for compensation unless licensed as an electrician or residential electrician by the new State Board of Electrical Licensure, and entities may not contract for electrical services unless licensed as electrical contractors. The board, fees, fines and penalties take effect December 21, 2026.

Enrolled text (Pennsylvania General Assembly (palegis.us)) → · Pennsylvania Senate Republicans
U.S. FEDCourt order

FLRA upholds telework award against HHS and finds most citations in agency's brief faulty

The Federal Labor Relations Authority has denied every exception HHS filed against an arbitration award finding that its return-to-office directive violated its contract with the National Treasury Employees Union. The authority said 35 of 42 citations in the agency's brief were fictitious, erroneous or irrelevant, said HHS may have used a generative AI tool, and warned parties using AI to verify their filings.

Order (Bloomberg Law) → · Federal News Network, Above the Law, Federal Labor Relations Authority
U.S. FEDRegulation

United States opens Social Security revocation window for clergy in 2029 and 2030

The president signed H.R. 227, the Clergy Act, on October 20, 2026. The Act permits a minister, a member of a religious order, or a Christian Science practitioner whose Social Security exemption is effective for 2026 to revoke that exemption by application to the Internal Revenue Service. A revocation applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2028.

Enrolled text (U.S. Government Publishing Office) → · House Committee on Ways and Means
U.S. FEDRegulation

United States requires Labor Department trafficking training within 180 days

The president signed H.R. 4307, the Enhancing Detection of Human Trafficking Act, on October 20, 2026. The Act directs the Secretary of Labor to implement, within 180 days after enactment, a training and periodic continuing-education program for Department of Labor employees selected by reference to their official duties, including referral of potential trafficking cases to the Department of Justice.

Enrolled text (U.S. Government Publishing Office) → · The White House
MEXICOPeople moves

Snell & Wilmer opens Mexico City office with four-partner group

Snell & Wilmer opened a Mexico City office on October 19, 2026, with four partners and a group of associates, led by managing partner José I. Rivero. It is the firm's second office in Mexico, after Los Cabos in 2008, and the new team advises on corporate finance, M&A, real estate, and labor and employment matters for businesses and investors operating in Mexico.

Announcement (Snell & Wilmer) → · Bloomberg Law
U.S.Court order

Supreme Court turns away fired NLRB member Gwynne Wilcox, leaving at-will removal ruling in place

The U.S. Supreme Court on October 19, 2026, declined to hear Wilcox v. Trump, the challenge by former National Labor Relations Board member Gwynne Wilcox to President Trump's decision to fire her in early 2025. The denial leaves in place a December 2025 D.C. Circuit ruling that the statute letting presidents remove board members only for neglect of duty or malfeasance violates the separation of powers.

Order (Supreme Court of the United States) → · Bloomberg Law, SCOTUSblog
MASS. SUPER. CT.Litigation

Boston jury awards ex-MIT scientist David Sabatini $6 million in defamation case against accuser

A Suffolk County jury on October 16, 2026, ordered biologist Kristin Knouse to pay former Whitehead Institute scientist David Sabatini $6 million plus interest, finding she defamed him and interfered with his ability to make a living. Sabatini was removed from his Whitehead lab in 2021 after an investigation. The jury also rejected Knouse's counterclaims, including that their relationship was coercive, Fox News reported. Her lawyer said she intends to appeal.

Filing (The Boston Globe) → · Fox News
4TH CIR.Court order

Fourth Circuit rules Catholic Relief Services violated Title VII by ending same-sex spouse's coverage

A divided Fourth Circuit on October 16, 2026, affirmed that Catholic Relief Services violated Title VII and Maryland law by terminating a gay employee's husband's health coverage. The 2-1 panel held Title VII's religious-organization exemption covers only religion-based employment decisions, not sex discrimination motivated by religious belief, and rejected the group's RFRA, church autonomy and Free Exercise defenses.

Order (U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit) → · Bloomberg Law, Law360 Employment Authority
U.S. FEDResearch

NALP: 2025 law graduates of color trailed white peers in employment, gap widest for attorney jobs

White members of the law school class of 2025 had a 94.4% employment rate about ten months after graduation, compared with 90.8% for graduates of color, the National Association for Law Placement said in its Jobs & JDs release on October 14, 2026, reported by the ABA Journal. Black graduates had the lowest rate, 87%, down from nearly 90% for the class of 2024. The overall employment rate was 92.8%.

Paper (National Association for Law Placement) → · ABA Journal, Above the Law
U.S. FEDRegulation

Federal law defines adequate consideration for closely held ESOP stock under ERISA

President Trump signed S. 2403, the Retire through Ownership Act, into law on October 15, 2026, the White House said. The Act amends section 3(18) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 1002(18)) to provide that an employee stock ownership plan fiduciary may rely in good faith on a valuation by an independent valuation expert or business appraiser using the principles and methodologies of IRS Revenue Ruling 59-60 in determining fair market value.

Enrolled text (Congress.gov) → · Business Wire, GovInfo, The White House
UKFunding

DMH Stallard merges with 17-strong Surrey firm GBH Law

Southeast England firm DMH Stallard merged with Godalming-based GBH Law, bringing a 17-strong team into a firm of more than 400 people including 93 partners, Insider Media reported October 14, 2026. Solicitors Journal carried the announcement the same day. Managing partner Richard Pollins said GBH Law will bring real strength to the firm's commercial teams.

Announcement (Solicitors Journal) → · Insider Media, DMH Stallard
ILL.Research

Illinois study finds one in five lawyers rate their mental health fair or poor; 3% screen for problem gambling

The Illinois Lawyers' Assistance Program released a statewide survey of more than 6,700 lawyers on October 13, 2026 finding high rates of stress, substance use and mental health strain, with one in five respondents rating their mental health fair or poor. The report's authors said it is the first study of problem gambling prevalence in the U.S. legal profession.

Paper (WBBM Newsradio) → · ABA Journal, Law.com
CANADAPeople moves

Dentons Canada adds 10-lawyer employment and labor team from Norton Rose Fulbright in Toronto

Dentons Canada hired a 10-lawyer employment and labor team from Norton Rose Fulbright's Toronto office, led by partners Richard J. Charney, John Mastoras and Daniel McDonald, Law.com reported October 13, 2026. The group advises unionized and federally regulated employers on collective bargaining, labor arbitration, human rights litigation and workplace safety.

Announcement (Law.com International) → · Law Times, International Employment Lawyer
UKRegulation

UK consults on whistleblowing reform and SFO rewards for economic crime tips

The UK government opened a consultation on October 12, 2026 on whether the existing whistleblowing framework still works and on a proposed Serious Fraud Office scheme paying financial rewards to people who report economic crime. Rewards would be funded from corporate penalties and paid only after cases conclude; the consultation closes January 8, 2027.

Text (GOV.UK) → · Law Gazette
CAL.Litigation

ACLU asks California civil rights agency to investigate Criteria's Emotify hiring assessment

The ACLU and the ACLU of Northern California filed a complaint on October 6, 2026, asking the California Civil Rights Department to investigate Criteria Corp.'s hiring assessments. The complaint centers on Emotify, an emotional intelligence test the groups say closely mirrors clinical autism diagnostic tools and may unlawfully screen out disabled applicants under state and federal law.

Filing (ACLU of Northern California) → · Bloomberg Law, Law360
CAL.Roundup

State and local law roundup, week ending October 2, 2026: 23 developments

Twenty-three state and local measures dated September 25 to 29, 2026. California enacted laws on prescribed fire, children's meals, added-sugar menu warnings, diaper ingredients, disposable vapes, supplement sales to minors and disability-form fees. North Dakota, Texas, Arkansas and Georgia issued fuel emergency orders. New Jersey and New York signed school, reentry, Rutgers and climate bills, Massachusetts set emergency adult foster care rates, and San Jose paused detention-facility applications.

Entries (California Legislative Information) → · North Dakota Office of the Governor, City of San Jose, Office of the City Clerk (Legistar), Office of the Texas Governor +6
E.D. PA.Court order

Pennsylvania federal court denies Starbucks bid to dismiss, transfer or stay union trademark suit

U.S. District Judge Michael Baylson on October 2 denied Starbucks' motion to dismiss a declaratory judgment lawsuit brought by Workers United in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The union seeks a ruling that its name and raised-fist logo do not infringe or dilute Starbucks trademarks or infringe its copyrights. The court held that a 2024 memorandum of understanding did not end the live controversy and declined Starbucks' alternative request to transfer or stay the case.

Order (U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania) → · Reuters, USA Herald, Hoodline
N.Y.People moves

Whiteford adds six Lazare Potter partners to expand New York office

Whiteford, Taylor & Preston said on October 1, 2026, that six partners from Lazare Potter Glazer & Moyle joined its New York office, taking it past two dozen lawyers, as Business Wire and Law360 Pulse reported. The firm said the group handles commercial and securities litigation, employment, cross-border and corporate work, and that the office will move to 535 Madison Avenue in early 2027.

Announcement (Business Wire) → · Law360 Pulse
UKRegulation

Legal Services Board drops planned diversity statutory policy statement

The Legal Services Board said on October 1, 2026, that it will not proceed with a draft statutory statement of policy on diversity after a November 2025–March 2026 consultation, keeping 2017 statutory guidance instead. Legal Futures reported consultation pushback on resources and cross-regulator fit; chair Monisha Shah said the board is concentrating on fewer consumer-risk priorities.

Text (Legal Services Board) → · Legal Futures
CAL. SUPER. CT. S.F. CNTY.Litigation

Lyft agrees to $272.5M settlement with California AG and cities over driver misclassification

Lyft agreed to pay $272.5 million to resolve claims brought by California Attorney General Rob Bonta, the California Labor Commissioner, and city attorneys of San Francisco, San Diego, and Los Angeles alleging the company misclassified drivers as independent contractors between 2016 and 2020. Subject to court approval in San Francisco Superior Court, the settlement establishes a restitution fund with at least $237 million for affected drivers based on hours and miles driven.

Filing (California Department of Justice) → · Reuters, KTVU FOX 2
CAL.Regulation

California bans employer surveillance of workers in workplace bathrooms

Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 1331 on September 30, 2026. From January 1, 2027, unless a court orders otherwise, employers may not use workplace surveillance tools to monitor employees in workplace bathrooms, and employees may leave such tools behind when entering one, except when they must stay available during breaks. The Labor Commissioner and public prosecutors may enforce the law, with civil penalties of up to $500 per violation.

Enrolled text (California Legislative Information) → · Office of Governor Gavin Newsom
CAL.Regulation

California bans employer AI tools that read workers' emotions or collect neural data

Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 1883 on September 30, 2026. From January 1, 2027, employers, including public employers, charter cities and the University of California, may not use AI-powered workplace surveillance tools to recognize or predict employees' emotional states or to collect neural data. Safety uses are allowed, as are uses needed for specified federal aerospace and defense work. Violations carry civil penalties of up to $500 each.

Enrolled text (California Legislative Information) → · Office of Governor Gavin Newsom
CAL.Regulation

California limits employers' use of automated decision systems in discipline and firing

Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 947 on September 30, 2026. From July 1, 2027, employers may not rely solely on an automated decision system to discipline or fire a worker; when they primarily rely on one, a human must corroborate the decision and the employer must give the employee written post-use notice. Employers may not use such systems to infer protected status or predict and punish workers for exercising legal rights.

Enrolled text (California Legislative Information) → · Office of Governor Gavin Newsom, Office of Senator Jerry McNerney
CAL.Regulation

California requires mass-layoff notices to disclose jobs replaced by AI

Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 951 on September 30, 2026, amending the Cal/WARN Act. From January 1, 2027, an employer giving notice of a mass layoff, relocation or termination caused wholly or substantially by AI or other automated technology must state which job functions will be automated. The Employment Development Department must publish summaries of the notices, including a quarterly statewide summary of technological displacements.

Enrolled text (California Legislative Information) → · Office of Governor Gavin Newsom
N.D. ILL.Litigation

McDermott and former associate stipulate to dismissal of discrimination lawsuit

McDermott Will & Schulte and a former associate stipulated to dismiss with prejudice a lawsuit alleging racial discrimination and retaliation, according to a September 30 filing in Chicago federal court. Reuters reported that the parties had resolved the dispute; neither the filing nor the report disclosed financial terms.

Filing (U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois) → · Reuters
CAL.Regulation

California disqualifies decertified officers, including federal immigration enforcers, from peace-officer service

Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 1627 on September 29, 2026. It amends Government Code section 1029 to disqualify from peace-officer service anyone listed in the National Decertification Index whose certification was revoked in any jurisdiction. Beginning January 1, 2028, anyone previously employed as a sworn officer or contractor and personally engaged in immigration enforcement is disqualified unless approved to enter a POST basic course.

Enrolled text (California Legislative Information) → · Office of the Governor
CAL.Regulation

California extends immigration-retaliation ban to rights under federal and local employment law

Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 2495, by Assemblymember Ash Kalra (D-San Jose), on September 29, 2026 (Chapter 748, Statutes of 2026), amending Labor Code section 1019. From January 1, 2027, employers and others may not use unfair immigration-related practices to retaliate against anyone for exercising rights under any local, state or federal employment statute or regulation. Violators face civil penalties of up to $10,000 per employee for each violation.

Enrolled text (California Legislative Information) → · Office of the Governor
CAL.Regulation

California lets employers seek workplace violence restraining orders covering all employees at a site

Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 1961 on September 30, 2026, amending Code of Civil Procedure section 527.8. From January 1, 2027, an employer may seek a workplace violence restraining order on behalf of all employees at a workplace, or at a location where a group of employees primarily work, when harassment, violence or a credible threat is directed at that site, without naming individual employees. The Judicial Council must update its forms by January 1, 2028.

Enrolled text (California Legislative Information) → · Office of Governor Gavin Newsom
CAL.Regulation

California extends likeness and impersonation laws to AI digital replicas

Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 1111 on September 30, 2026. From January 1, 2027, the Civil Code cause of action for using a person's voice or likeness without consent covers digital replicas, defined as computer-generated, highly realistic representations of a person who did not perform or whose performance was materially altered. Using a digital replica to impersonate someone counts as false impersonation under the Penal Code.

Enrolled text (California Legislative Information) → · Office of Governor Gavin Newsom
DEL.Regulation

Delaware bars employer retaliation for skipping meetings on politics, religion, or union views

Delaware Governor Matt Meyer signed House Substitute 1 for House Bill 84 on September 30, adding Section 711B to Title 19 of the Delaware Code. The law makes it an unlawful employment practice to discharge or discipline employees who decline employer-sponsored meetings or communications conveying the employer's views on political or religious matters, including unionization. Employees who skip such meetings during work time must still be paid. The Department of Labor received investigation, rulemaking, and civil-action authority.

Enrolled text (Delaware General Assembly) → · OnLabor
UKFunding

Nuvo Group acquires AG Corporate Law to launch Nuvo Legal service line

Derbyshire accountancy and advisory firm Nuvo Group acquired East Midlands corporate practice AG Corporate Law and rebranded it Nuvo Legal, Insider Media and Accountancy Today reported on September 29, 2026. Financial terms were not disclosed. The Mansfield-based team, led by founder Adam Gilbert, continues advising on corporate, commercial, and employment matters as part of Nuvo's Vision 2030 growth plan.

Announcement (Insider Media) → · Accountancy Today
ALASKARoundup

State law roundup: 20 California laws on licensing, EV charging, elections and welfare, plus Alaska game rules

Twenty California laws signed September 18 to 25 and one Alaska regulation package. California extended three licensing boards to 2031, capped multifamily EV charger permit fees, widened streamlined EV permitting, allowed E15 under existing vapor-control certifications, set in-person vote-by-mail procedures, expanded translated election materials, dropped the CalWORKs 100-hour work test and will revoke licenses for six years after an injury DUI with four prior convictions. Alaska's archery and predator-control rules took effect September 23.

Entries (Alaska Online Public Notices) → · California Legislative Information
UK · ETCourt order

Employment tribunal orders barrister to pay £6,767 wasted costs after he appeared from trains in Germany

Birmingham Employment Tribunal ordered barrister Michael Engelhardt-Sprack to pay £6,767.44 in wasted costs to the first respondent in Burns v Gitpod GmbH after he tried to conduct the first day of a remote final hearing from two trains in Germany on 12 May 2025, Legal Futures reported. In a costs judgment dated 18 February 2026, Employment Judge Wedderspoon called the conduct totally inappropriate and unprofessional and a breach of presidential guidance. The hearing resumed the next day in person.

Opinion (Employment Tribunals (England and Wales)) → · Legal Futures
D. MASS.Court order

Massachusetts federal court rejects challenge to Trader Joe's 401(k) forfeitures but orders $1.2M fee award

U.S. District Judge William Young issued findings of fact and rulings of law following a six-day bench trial in an ERISA class action against Trader Joe's. The court rejected claims that Trader Joe's unlawfully used forfeited retirement funds to offset employer contributions and a claim over a poorly performing fund, but ruled for participants on claims that fiduciaries failed to monitor recordkeeping fees, awarding $1,187,221 in damages and interest.

Order (U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts) → · Reuters, Law360
CAL.Regulation

California makes Native American Day a paid state holiday, contingent on appropriation

California enacted AB 1841 (Chapter 447, Statutes of 2026), amending Government Code sections 19853 and 19853.1 and adding section 19853.3. Upon a future appropriation by the Legislature, the fourth Friday in September, Native American Day, becomes a paid holiday for state employees, replacing the current option to take the day as an elective eight-hour holiday credit. Any state bargaining unit may also negotiate the day as a paid holiday. Signed September 25, 2026, the act takes effect January 1, 2027.

Enrolled text (California Legislative Information) → · Governor of California
N.D. CAL.Litigation

Trump administration settles union suit over shutdown mass-layoff authority

The Trump administration agreed on September 25, 2026 to rescind guidance authorizing federal agencies to initiate reductions in force during appropriations lapses, settling American Federation of Government Employees v. Office of Management and Budget in the Northern District of California, Bloomberg Law, Reuters and Government Executive reported. Agencies must strip blanket RIF authorization from shutdown contingency plans and give plaintiff unions 30 days’ notice before restoring such language. The suit challenged mass layoff notices issued during the 2025 government shutdown.

Filing (Bloomberg Law) → · Reuters, Government Executive
UK · EATCourt order

EAT: TUPE assignment unaffected by allegedly unlawful redeployment

In McConnell v WM Morrisons Supermarkets Ltd [2026] EAT 149, the Employment Appeal Tribunal held that the lawfulness of an employer’s redeployment decision forms no part of the TUPE “assigned” test, Solicitors Journal and GOV.UK reported on September 25, 2026. HHJ Feeny nonetheless remitted the claimant’s indirect disability discrimination and reasonable-adjustments complaints after finding the employment tribunal had misunderstood those claims.

Order (Solicitors Journal) → · GOV.UK
UKLitigation

Tribunal lets Gitpod disability claimant pursue £76m schedule of loss

The Birmingham Employment Tribunal refused Gitpod’s bid to cap Shannon Burns’s disability-discrimination schedule of loss at £1 million, allowing her to pursue about £76 million, The Independent reported on September 24, 2026. Burns, a former Gitpod vice-president of engineering with ADHD, previously won liability findings after her dismissal following a work trip. The tribunal also ordered disclosure of the value of Gitpod’s sale to OpenAI; a remedies hearing remains pending subject to appeal.

Filing (The Independent) → · Scottish Legal News
UKRegulation

Law Society drops recommended trainee minimum salary for real living wage

The Law Society of England and Wales has stopped publishing a recommended minimum salary for trainee solicitors and instead advises employers to pay staff on qualifying work experience no less than the real living wage, Legal Cheek and the Law Gazette reported. The real living wage is £14.80 an hour in London and £13.45 elsewhere. Last year’s Society recommendations were £28,090 in London and £24,916 outside; the Society said the change is guidance, not a regulatory requirement.

Text (Legal Cheek) → · Law Gazette
N.Y.People moves

Paul Weiss adds Weil PE co-head Christopher Machera and five-lawyer transactional team in New York

Paul, Weiss expanded its private equity practice with a six-lawyer transactional team led by Christopher Machera, who joined as a New York partner in the Private Equity M&A Group from Weil Gotshal & Manges, where he co-headed private equity, Pulse2 and Law360 Pulse reported on September 22, 2026. Timothy Burns, Noah Beck, Amanda Rotkel, Andrew Lawson, and Dylan Hans are expected to join in the coming weeks across PE M&A, tax, and executive compensation.

Announcement (Pulse2) → · Law360 Pulse, Paul, Weiss
CAL.Regulation

California requires naloxone video training where employers mandate CPR

AB 2150 (Chapter 384), signed September 20, requires California employers that mandate CPR certification training to also require an Emergency Medical Services Authority-approved online video module on naloxone use, at the employer's cost. The training covers overdose recognition, response actions, and proper administration of naloxone or other FDA-approved opioid antagonists. It creates no independent duty to administer naloxone and sets a floor other agencies may exceed.

Enrolled text (California Legislative Information) → · Governor of California
N.Y.People moves

Debevoise adds Abigail Lane as New York executive compensation and benefits partner

Debevoise & Plimpton hired Abigail Lane as a partner in its New York Executive Compensation & Benefits Group, the firm said on September 22, 2026, with Bloomberg Law confirming the move. Lane advises private equity sponsors, portfolio companies, and public companies on executive compensation, governance, and disclosure, including management equity programs and executive transitions.

Announcement (Debevoise & Plimpton) → · PR Newswire, Bloomberg Law
CAL.Regulation

California grants firefighters 26 weeks of paid postpartum leave

Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 1024 (Chapter 419, Statutes of 2026) on September 20, 2026, adding Chapter 9.6.1 to the Government Code. From January 1, 2027, city, county, district, CSU and Cal Fire departments must grant active firefighters with 1,250 hours of service in the prior year up to 26 weeks of fully paid leave when disabled by pregnancy, childbirth or a related condition, without requiring them to exhaust sick, vacation or compensatory leave, with benefits continuing.

Enrolled text (California Legislative Information) →
CAL.Regulation

California exempts stationary engineers from standard meal-period rules under qualifying union contracts

Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 2078 on September 18, 2026, adding stationary engineers who perform building-maintenance work to the categories of employees exempt from California's standard meal-period rules. The exemption applies only when the worker is covered by a valid collective bargaining agreement that provides meal periods, final and binding arbitration of meal-period disputes, premium overtime pay, and a regular rate at least 30 percent above the state minimum wage.

Enrolled text (California Legislative Information) →
CAL.Regulation

California raises farm labor contractor surety bonds by payroll tier

Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 2227 (Chapter 294, Statutes of 2026) on September 18, 2026, amending Labor Code sections 1683 and 1684. From January 1, 2027, licensed farm labor contractors must post a $50,000 surety bond for payrolls up to $500,000, $100,000 for payrolls of $500,000 to $2 million and $150,000 above $2 million, double the previous tiers, deposited at first registration or first annual renewal. The Labor Commissioner must publish bond details on its public license database.

Enrolled text (California Legislative Information) →
CAL.Regulation

California conforms background-check rules across licensed occupations and adds refingerprinting requirements

Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 2796 on September 18, 2026, as an urgency statute. The act conforms criminal-history background-check requirements across firearms permits, education contractors, massage professionals, professional fiduciaries, tax preparers, humane officers, financial-sector workers, escrow agents, care facilities, and certain Medi-Cal providers. It includes an FBI-authorization fallback and requires subsequent-notification refingerprinting under Penal Code Section 11105.2.

Enrolled text (California Legislative Information) →
UKCourt order

UK EAT warns litigants after 300-page ChatGPT skeleton in Hancox appeal

Deputy High Court judge Marcus Pilgerstorfer KC, sitting in the Employment Appeal Tribunal, on September 17, 2026 warned litigants in person that they remain personally responsible for AI-drafted filings after Terence Hancox submitted a 300-page, 132,000-word ChatGPT skeleton. The judgment in Hancox v Sutherland said unchecked generative AI output is unacceptable and that noncompliant documents are likely to be rejected.

Order (GOV.UK) → · Legal Futures, Law360
N.Y.Funding

FairPlay Law launches AI-native employment firm with investor-backed MSO

Burford Capital vice chair David Perla and former Pangea3 co-founder Sanjay Kamlani publicly launched FairPlay Law, an AI-native New York employment firm for employees and executives, on September 16, 2026. The firm is affiliated with FairPlay Global, a technology and managed-services organization backed by unnamed investor capital, and offers flat-fee analysis of offers, equity, noncompetes, and severance against proprietary benchmarks before optional human counsel.

Announcement (Reuters) → · Law360 Pulse, EIN Presswire
FRANCEPeople moves

Broadfield opens first mainland-Europe office in Paris under Isabelle de La Gorce

International firm Broadfield opened a Paris office—its first in mainland Europe—led by Isabelle de La Gorce as France managing partner after she left PwC Société d’Avocats, where she headed the M&A legal practice. The Paris team will initially focus on M&A and private equity for French and international companies and funds, with an employment practice planned later in 2026. Broadfield operates with operational support from SHP Legal Services, an Alvarez & Marsal affiliate.

Announcement (Law360) → · Le Monde du Droit, Non-Billable
U.S. FEDPeople moves

Latitude Legal names Alex Su president as flexible talent provider expands

Latitude Legal promoted chief revenue officer Alex Su to president on September 8, 2026, with co-founder and chief executive Ross Booher handing over day-to-day operational control while remaining CEO. The Nashville-headquartered flexible legal talent provider said it has opened nine offices and added 243 corporate and 120 law firm clients since Su became CRO, and grew new client acquisition 52% in the first half of 2026.

Announcement (Business Wire) → · Legal IT Insider, Above the Law
CAL.Breaches and incidents

Meta's employee keystroke-and-screen recording program for AI training remains suspended after internal leak, Business Insider reports

Meta's Model Capability Initiative, which recorded employees' keystrokes, mouse movements and screens to train AI on how people use computers, remains suspended more than two months after an engineer found the collected data, including private conversations, viewable company-wide, Business Insider reported on September 11. Meta paused the mandatory program in late June, said it would return only as opt-in, and declined to say whether the data trained its models. A staff petition drew more than 1,800 signatures.

Report (Business Insider) → · Engadget