News & Events

On July 19, 2017, San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee signed the Parity in Pay Ordinance, which prohibits San Francisco employers from asking job applicants for their salary history or considering that history when making decisions regarding hiring and compensation. The purpose of the Ordinance, which goes into effect July 1, 2018, is to address “historical patterns of gender bias and discrimination,” which cause women to “continue earning less than their male counterparts and less than they would have earned, but for their gender.” California law already prohibits employers from relying solely on salary history when making compensation decisions. However, the Ordinance goes further and expressly prohibits San Francisco employers from doing any of the following: Inquiring directly or indirectly about an applicant’s salary history (which includes wages, commissions, and/or other financial compensation in exchange for labor in current or prior positions); Relying on an applicant’s salary history in determining whether to offer employment or how to compensate an employee; Refusing to hire or retaliating against an applicant for not disclosing her salary history; and Releasing a current or former employee’s salary history to an employer or prospective employer without the employee’s written authorization. The only exception where an employer can consider an applicant’s salary history is when the applicant voluntarily discloses the history after an initial offer of employment is made. At that time, the employer can use the salary history in negotiating compensation. The Ordinance applies to all private employers in San Francisco regardless of size if the applicant’s […]

Hoge Fenton is pleased to announce that its shareholder Crystal Riggins has been named a 2017 Silicon Valley Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree. As a recipient of this award, Crystal is recognized for her contributions to her profession and community and represents the best of Silicon Valley. Crystal has been recognized for her outstanding work as a business litigator and appellate attorney. Her career had led Crystal into the courtroom earlier and with much greater frequency than her counterparts. With prominent trials that have received world-wide attention and her appellate expertise, Crystal has already tried numerous cases to verdict, an accomplishment that most attorneys in her cohort cannot claim. Her passion for client advocacy — particularly with her exemplary and high-profile work with Title IX matters — have solidified Crystal as a leading Title IX advocate. Crystal has not only represented complainants through the often-daunting process, but has also helped institutions shape their Title IX procedures. Crystal is also heavily involved in the community, with commitments to the Ladies’ Guild Board at St. Christopher Church and Happy Hollow Park and Zoo in San Jose. As a mentor to young lawyers and law students, she helps to guide and navigate their budding legal careers. She is also an adjunct professor at Santa Clara University, School of Law, where she teaches appellate advocacy. Crystal has told the Silicon Valley Business Journal that her little girls Frankie and Toni are her inspiration and motivate her to contribute to the community both professionally […]

We are pleased to announce that venerated real estate and business attorney John Marshall Collins has become affiliated with Hoge Fenton. With 45 years of legal experience, John is well known and respected in the Silicon Valley legal community, and is a past president of the Santa Clara County Bar Association. John will continue to offer full service representation in real estate matters to owners, sellers, buyers, developers, landlords, tenants, brokers, and others, including property management, lease terminations, sales and litigation. John also represents individuals in estate and personal planning matters, and advises businesses and commercial enterprises in formation, purchase/sale, operations, and dissolutions. John is well known for expertise in handling real estate matters for charter schools. He is an adjunct professor at the Santa Clara University School of law and earned both his B.A. and J.D. at the University of California at Los Angeles. Although he will maintain his solo law practice, John Marshall Collins, P.C., his firm will be Of Counsel to Hoge Fenton. “I feel privileged to associate with Hoge Fenton as Of Counsel,” commented John. “Hoge Fenton has set the standard for professional skill and ethical/civil behavior for my entire tenure here in San Jose. They anchor our local professional community, and I am honored to be affiliated with the firm. I am looking forward to working together with a set of great lawyers to serve our clients.” “John is an accomplished and experienced real estate and business attorney. We are incredibly happy to have him […]

Local Changes in Minimum Wage Laws Effective July 1, 2017 Minimum Wage Several cities in California have local minimum wage ordinances with increases going into effect on July 1, 2017: Emeryville: $15.20/hour for large businesses (56 or more employees). $14/hour for small businesses (55 or fewer employees). Los Angeles: $12/hour for employers with 26 or more employees. $10.50/hour for employers with 25 or fewer employees. Unincorporated areas in Los Angeles County: $12/hour for employers with 26 or more employees. $10.50/ hour for employers with 25 or fewer employees. Malibu: $12/hour for employers with 26 or more employees. $10.50/hour for employers with 25 or fewer employees. Milpitas: $11.00/hour. Pasadena: $12/hour for employers with 26 or more employees. $10.50/hour for employers with 25 or fewer employees. San Francisco: $14/hour. San Jose: $12/hour. San Leandro: $12/hour. Santa Monica: $12/hour for employers with 26 or more employees. $10.50 an hour for employers with 25 or fewer employees. As a reminder, if employees work in (including telecommute from) a city that requires a higher minimum wage than the state, the employer must follow both the state’s and the city’s wage requirements for those employees. California’s state-wide minimum wage is currently $10.50 per hour for employers with 26 or more employees, and $10.00 per hour for employers with 25 or fewer employees. On January 1, 2018, the state-wide minimum wage will increase to $11.00 per hour for employers with 26 or more employees, and $10.50 per hour for employers with 25 or fewer employees. Other Local […]