California, USA
By Matt Kutner
“Partner Thomas M. O’Connell, which represents management, noted federal courts analyzing FLSA claims have increasingly applied variations of the economic realities test.”
“While there are certainly exceptions and different formulations among circuits, many courts appear to be using that framework to analyze joint employment in the context of modern business models and industry structures,” he said by email
California, USA
Buchalter is pleased to announce the launch of its Crisis Management and Strategic Response group, a dedicated task force of the White Collar Investigations and State Attorneys General practice groups. The group’s attorneys are a multidisciplinary team of lawyers designed to guide companies, boards, executives, and high-profile individuals through rapidly evolving, high-stakes situations where scrutiny is intense and decisions must be made quickly
California, USA
“No one would argue this is enough, and the advocacy groups still pushing for a full-on breakup are right to do so; in a statement to Slate, the anti-monopoly Demand Progress Fund called the outcome a “slap on the wrist that tinkers around the edges of the real problem: Live Nation’s monopoly.” Lauren Spahn, an intellectual property expert with the law firm Buchalter, also claims the service cap is less restrictive than it may appear
California, USA
Partner Christopher Van Gundy has been recognized as an Outstanding Volunteer in Public Service (OVIPS) by the Justice & Diversity Center of The Bar Association of San Francisco. The recognition focuses on Mr. Van Gundy’s significant dedication to pro bono service in 2025. A ceremony celebrating all OVIPS honorees will be held April 2, 2026 at the UC Law San Francisco, 333 Golden Gate Avenue, 5th Floor Cotchett Law Center, Registration: 5:00pm-5:30pm PT and Program: 5:30pm-7:30pm PT
California, USA
By Michael Macagnone
“Marshall Olney, an attorney at Buchalter, noted that there are still several steps to take before companies start seeing money return to their accounts under Wednesday’s ruling.
‘This is good news for everyone. It is the first step on a long road to getting these refunds,’ Olney said.
Olney noted the order didn’t cover every single person or entity that has paid the tariffs, particularly those whose imports had been finalized at CBP
California, USA
Buchalter is pleased to announce that Special Counsel Jack Luellen was awarded the 2025 Outstanding Faculty Award by the National Business Institute. These awards recognize legal professionals and educators who demonstrate exceptional dedication to sharing knowledge and supporting professional development through NBI’s continuing legal education (CLE) programs
California, USA
Buchalter is pleased to announce that Emily Karr and Susan Bock have joined the firm as Corporate Partners in its Portland office.
“We are thrilled to welcome Emily and Susan to the firm,” said Adam Bass, President and Chief Executive Officer at Buchalter. “With the addition of Susan, Emily and their team, we are growing a preeminent estate planning practice in the Pacific Northwest
California, USA
Former Office Managing Partner Transitioning to In-House Executive Role
Buchalter is pleased to announce that Anne Marie Ellis has been named Managing Partner of the firm’s Orange County Office. In addition to her new role, Ellis serves as the firm’s California Chair of the Products Liability Practice Group and Chair of the Chemical Law & Proposition 65 Industry Group
California, USA
Partner Kendall Woods has been recognized as one of Crain’s Chicago Business’ 2026 Notable Women in Law. This honor targets accomplished attorneys whose leadership and legal expertise are shaping Chicago’s business, government, and civic communities.
Across the city’s legal landscape, this year’s honorees reflect the depth and breadth of influence driving economic growth and institutional accountability
California, USA
Buchalter is proud to celebrate Partner Denise Field, who was elected to the Board of Directors of Financial Women of San Francisco for the 2026 Term.
The Financial Women of San Francisco is dedicated to advancing careers and supporting the success of women across the finance and financial services sectors throughout the Bay Area. Denise’s leadership, vision, and commitment to empowering women make her an incredible fit for this impactful role
California, USA
Buchalter is proud to congratulate its Franchise Law Practice Group on being named the 2026 Winner for Single Market: Best Franchise Law Firm Supplier by Global Franchise Awards. The honor recognizes outstanding achievement, forward-thinking innovation, and consistent excellence across the franchising landscape
California, USA
Buchalter is pleased to welcome back Anthony Callobre as a Commercial Finance Partner in its Los Angeles office. Callobre’s clients include credit providers, such as commercial banks, commercial finance companies, private debt, private equity groups, and other investors and lenders, as well as credit takers, both financial and strategic.
“We are thrilled to have Tony back,” said Adam Bass, President and Chief Executive Officer of Buchalter
California, USA
Buchalter is pleased to announce that Jemima J. McCullum, a partner in our Seattle office, was recently inducted as a Fellow to the American College of Mortgage Attorneys. ACMA is a professional group of the best and brightest real estate finance attorneys across North America, dedicated to advancing professional excellence and championing innovation and fairness in the field
California, USA
Buchalter is pleased to announce that several attorneys in the Firm’s Los Angeles and Orange County offices were named to the 2026 Southern California Super Lawyers list. These attorneys have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.
Buchalter’s 2026 Southern California Super Lawyers include:
Super Lawyers
Bernard D. Bollinger, Jr.
Harry W.R. Chamberlain, II
Efrat Cogan
Robert Dato
Caroline Djang
Elizabeth R
California, USA
Family Offices and Private Funds Capitalize as Commercial Real Estate Faces Prolonged Lending Crunch
By: Steve Marcinuk
The commercial real estate market is in a period where capital access is sharply divided. Family offices and private funds with strong balance sheets and established banking relationships are taking advantage of opportunities that traditional investors cannot pursue, due to ongoing lending constraints
California, USA
Buchalter is pleased to announce that several attorneys in the Firm’s Atlanta office were named to the 2026 Georgia State Super Lawyers & Rising Stars list. These attorneys have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Buchalter’s 2026 Georgia Super Lawyers & Rising Stars include:
Super Lawyers
Alison M. Ballard
Mark B. Carter
Amanda Hyland
Coby Nixon
Jonathan B
California, USA
By: Lubna Kably, The Times of India
As Kripa Upadhyay, immigration attorney and partner at Buchalter, told TOI, “Employers are treating the FY 2027 H-1B season less like a lottery and more like a capital allocation decision deciding which roles are truly worth six-figure risk exposure. The wage-weighted system effectively forces companies to front-load immigration strategy into compensation planning, long before they know whether a petition will even be selected
California, USA
We are proud to announce that Eric Wilhelm and Shaleen Brewer have been named in AZ Big Media’s recognition of “The Top 100 Lawyers in Arizona for 2026”.
This recognition identifies the legal professionals shaping the state’s business, civic, and economic landscape
California, USA
California rolled back cannabis tax, but LA businesses say they’re still struggling
By: Jordan Rynning
“Federal rescheduling would open up opportunities for medical research and new funding streams that are currently unavailable, Bitan told LAist.
The rescheduling would mean that there is a medical purpose for cannabis, Bitan added, promoting research for things like cancer, epilepsy, PTSD or anxiety
California, USA
Buchalter is pleased to announce that Shareholders Dylan Metzner and Rajesh Kukreja have been recognized in 5280 Magazine’s Top Lawyers 2026 list. This annual list is developed through a rigorous peer-review process and in-depth editorial research and highlights Denver’s most respected attorneys.
Congratulations to Dylan and Rajesh!
To view the Top Lawyers list as published by 5280, click here
California, USA
Xcel customers face steep hurdles in suing over spoiled goods from power shutoffs
By Scott Weiser
“Xcel Energy customers who lost refrigerated or frozen goods during the utility’s public safety power shutoffs face steep hurdles in recovering damages through lawsuits.
Colorado law and utility rules issued by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission limit liability for service interruptions, even when outages result from proactive de-energization to prevent wildfires
California, USA
DNA Testing Kits are Causing Challenges in Estate Planning
By: Anna Sulkin Stern
“Speaking from experience, Patrick D. Owens, shareholder in Buchalter’s Chicago office and a member of the Tax, Benefits & Estate Planning practice, tells us that, ‘We’ve required potential beneficiaries to undergo DNA testing. The higher-level tests are very accurate. There can also be other factors that may affect inheritance, such as adoption involving those potential heirs
California, USA
Buchalter is proud to announce that Shareholders Damaris Medina and Philip Nulud have been named 2025 nominees for the Los Angeles Business Journal’s “Leaders of Influence: Thriving in Their 40s.” The selected nominees are Los Angeles’ leading professionals in their 40s who demonstrate leadership and impact across Los Angeles.
To learn more, click here
California, USA
Buchalter is pleased to announce that Shareholder Farah Bhatti has been listed in the World Intellectual Property Review’s (WIPR) Trademark Rankings 2025, which recognizes the leading firms and practitioners in the USA trademark landscape. Buchalter has also been ranked among the leading law firms.
The awards are designed to identify the foremost legal talent dedicated to brand protection across the US