Law Offices of Paul P. Cheng & Associates

08/12/2026

Before you terminate an employee, make sure the decision doesn’t create a bigger legal problem for your business.

California may generally follow at-will employment, but “at-will” does not mean “without legal risk.” Discrimination, retaliation, protected leave, disability accommodations, wage-and-hour issues, whistleblower activity, and workplace complaints can all complicate an otherwise routine termination.

In our latest article, “Before You Fire an Employee: 7 Legal Mistakes California Employers Should Avoid,” the attorneys at Law Offices of Paul P. Cheng & Associates (PPRCLaw) highlight common mistakes employers should consider before making a termination decision final.

For business owners, executives, and HR professionals, addressing potential issues before a termination can help reduce the risk of costly disputes and litigation.

Read the full article and learn what California employers should consider before taking action.

Avoid costly employment disputes with these seven common termination mistakes California employers should consider before firing an employee.

08/05/2026

California employment laws are constantly changing, and one simple mistake could expose your business to costly lawsuits, penalties, or government investigations.

Did you know that many employment claims start with issues that are completely preventable?

Our newest legal article, "Five Employment Law Mistakes Small Businesses Make, And How to Avoid Costly Litigation," breaks down the most common pitfalls California employers face and offers practical steps to reduce legal risk.

At Law Offices of Paul P. Cheng & Associates, we bring a unique perspective by representing both employers and employees in employment litigation. That experience gives us valuable insight into how employment disputes develop, and, more importantly, how they can often be prevented.

Whether you're a business owner, HR professional, manager, or employee, this article provides practical information that can help you better understand California's complex employment laws.

Read the full article here:
https://www.paulchenglaw.com/blog/2026/august/five-employment-law-mistakes-small-businesses-ma/

Have questions about your workplace or business? Contact our office to schedule a consultation.

Avoid costly employment law mistakes. Learn the top 5 California employer compliance risks from Law Offices of Paul P. Cheng & Associates.

07/29/2026

Employee theft is one of the most financially devastating risks facing businesses today. While many business owners invest significant resources in protecting against cybercrime and external fraud, some of the most costly losses occur from within the organization.

From small family-owned businesses to large corporations, employee embezzlement can take many forms, often remaining undetected for months or even years. By the time the misconduct is discovered, hundreds of thousands, or even millions, of dollars may have been lost.

Understanding the warning signs and taking prompt legal action can make the difference between recovering your losses and permanently losing valuable business assets.

https://www.paulchenglaw.com/blog/2026/july/employee-embezzlement-is-more-common-than-many-b/

Learn how to identify employee embezzlement, protect your business, preserve evidence, and explore legal options to recover stolen assets under California law.

07/22/2026

Federal employment laws may be changing, but California employers should not let their guard down.

Recent federal efforts to modernize independent contractor classifications and overtime regulations have generated significant attention nationwide. However, for California businesses, these changes do not eliminate the state's strict employment law requirements.

California continues to enforce some of the nation's most employee-protective labor laws, often imposing standards that go well beyond federal regulations. Employers who rely solely on federal updates may unknowingly expose their businesses to costly wage-and-hour claims, employee misclassification lawsuits, and class or PAGA actions.

Our latest legal article explains:
✔️ Why federal changes may have little practical impact in California
✔️ The legal risks California employers still face
✔️ Practical strategies to reduce exposure and stay compliant

At Law Offices of Paul P. Cheng & Associates, we aggressively represent employers and employees in complex employment disputes while helping businesses navigate California's ever-changing legal landscape before litigation arises.

Read the full article and stay informed, because in California, compliance is still the best defense.

Federal employment law changes don't override California law. Learn five common employer mistakes and how to reduce your risk of litigation.

07/15/2026

Is mediation the smarter way to resolve your legal dispute? With California courts continuing to face significant case backlogs, many lawsuits can take years to reach trial, resulting in higher legal costs, prolonged uncertainty, and unnecessary stress.

For the right case, mediation offers a faster, more efficient path to resolution. It can help parties avoid the expense of lengthy litigation while maintaining greater control over the outcome.

At the Law Offices of Paul P. Cheng & Associates, mediation isn't just something we recommend, it's one of our strengths. As a former prosecutor, experienced mediator, and seasoned trial attorney, our Managing Partner Paul P. Cheng brings decades of litigation and negotiation experience to help clients evaluate settlement opportunities and negotiate from a position of strength.

Whether your matter involves employment law, business disputes, contract issues, partnership conflicts, or other civil litigation, our team can help determine whether mediation is the right strategy for your case.

Learn more in our latest legal article and discover how mediation may save you time, money, and unnecessary litigation.

Learn how mediation can help resolve California business, employment, and civil disputes faster and more affordably than litigation with strategic legal guidance.

07/08/2026

California Restaurant Workers: Do You Know Your Rights?

With California’s updated 2026 wage standards now in effect, it is more important than ever for restaurant and hospitality employees to understand their legal protections.

From wages, tips, and breaks to reimbursements and workplace protections, small violations can have a major impact on hardworking employees.

Former Prosecutor, Mediator, and current Trial Attorney Paul P. Cheng shares 6 essential rights every California restaurant worker should know in our latest legal update.

Protect your hard work. Know your rights.

Learn your California restaurant employee rights in 2026, including minimum wage, overtime, tips, meal breaks, discrimination, and workplace protections.

07/01/2026

Class action and PAGA lawsuits involving unpaid overtime, missed meal and rest breaks, employee misclassification, and wage statement violations continue to increase across California.

If you believe your employer violated California wage and hour laws, or you're an employer looking to reduce class action exposure, it's important to understand your legal rights and obligations.

The employment law attorneys at Law Offices of Paul P. Cheng & Associates provide experienced representation for both employees and businesses throughout California.

Contact us today to discuss your case.

Learn how California employment class actions and PAGA claims affect employees and employers. Law Offices of Paul P. Cheng & Associates helps clients navigate wage and hour disputes, misclassification, overtime violations, and workplace litigation throughout California.

06/25/2026

New California Laws Take Effect July 1, 2026. Is Your Business Ready?

California's latest legal changes could affect your business sooner than you think. From employment compliance and minimum wage requirements to new regulations impacting multiple industries, failing to prepare could result in costly penalties and litigation.

In our latest legal update, veteran trial attorney Paul P. Cheng explains the key laws every California employer and business owner should know before July 1.

Read the full article and stay ahead of the changes.

Learn key California law changes effective July 1, 2026, including minimum wage updates, PAGA reform, and employer compliance guidance for businesses.

06/20/2026

We had a fantastic time partnering with KCAL Insurance Agency for our “From Hire to Fire” Employment Law Seminar, empowering employers, business owners, and HR professionals across Southern California with practical legal strategies to navigate every stage of the employment relationship.

From hiring and workplace compliance to employee discipline, terminations, and litigation prevention, the seminar provided valuable insights to help businesses reduce risk and stay ahead of California’s ever changing employment laws.

A special thank you to KCAL Insurance for their continued partnership and commitment to helping educate and support the business community. We appreciate everyone who attended and helped make this event a success.

06/18/2026

As artificial intelligence continues to revolutionize industries around the world, a critical legal question remains unresolved: Can AI developers use copyrighted content to train their models without permission?

More than 40 copyright lawsuits have already been filed against major AI companies, alleging that books, articles, images, music, and other protected works were used to train generative AI systems without authorization or compensation.

The decisions in these cases could have far-reaching implications for businesses, creators, technology companies, and consumers alike, shaping the future of artificial intelligence, intellectual property rights, and innovation in the digital age.

At PPRCLaw, we closely monitor emerging legal developments impacting businesses and creators. Understanding the evolving intersection of AI and copyright law is essential for protecting intellectual property and managing legal risk in today's rapidly changing marketplace.

Read our latest legal update to learn more.

Explore how AI copyright lawsuits, fair use defenses, and recent court rulings could impact businesses, creators, and intellectual property rights.