Giving Thanks for Thanksgiving

Until President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of thanksgiving during the Civil War, thanksgiving holidays were a matter of state and local concern. California mentions Thanksgiving Day in 18 separate statutes, including those in the Code...

The Nebulous Meaning Of "Small Business" In New Ban On Commercial Loan Fees

Beginning in January, "covered entities" will be prohibited from charging specified fees in connection with a commercial financing transaction with a "small business" or "small business" owner.  Cal. Stat. ch. 881 (SB 666). Although relatively brief,...

California Court Applies English Common Law Even Though California Was Never An English Colony

More than a decade ago, I remarked on the ahistoricity of California's adoption of English common law despite the fact that it had never been a colony of England.* Yesterday, the California Court of Appeal applied English common law to decide a...

With California's Share Of Venture Capital Investment Falling, California Decides Its A Good Idea To "Bite The Hand That Feeds It"

According to this article by Carta, nearly 40.7% of all venture capital raised on its platform in the first quarter of this year went to companies headquartered in California. This sounds impressive, but it represents a precipitous decline from 2018...

California's Inept Attempt To Define Who Is A "Founding Team Member"

Last week, I reported that Governor Newsom had signed SB 54 (Skinner) even while acknowledging in his signing message that it contained "problematic provisions". SB 54 requires "venture capital companies", as defined, to disclose specific...

California Legislation Will Make It More Costly For Those Doing Business With Those Doing Business In California

Many law firms have been issuing alerts of late discussing the enactment of The Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act (SB 253). As enacted, this act will require, among other things, "reporting entities" to disclose Scope 1, 2 & 3 greenhouse gas...

California Enacts Law Mandating Climate-Related Financial Risk Reporting

This February post noted the introduction of SB 261 which aimed at imposing climate-related financial risk reporting. In the ensuing months, the bill was amended seven times and garnered numerous supporters and opponents. On Saturday, Governor...

Despite Admittedly "Problematic Provisions" Governor Newsom Signs Venture Capital Disclosure Bill

Venture capital investment has been instrumental in the creation of numerous high tech businesses that have quite literally changed the world. There is no gainsaying the importance of venture capital firms to California. Therefore, one might expect...

With Less Than One Month To Go, These Bills Are On Deck For Passage

The California legislature meets biennially. Cal. Const. Art. IV, § 3(a). Because this is an odd-numbered year, we are currently in the first year of the session. Thursday, September 14, 2023 will be the last day for each house to pass bills. (J.R....

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