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Nora Stilestein

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Nora Stilestein is a partner in the Labor and Employment Practice Group in the firm's Los Angeles office.

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On Friday, January 21, 2022, Judge Jeffrey V. Brown of the Southern District of Texas issued a nation-wide injunction, blocking enforcement of President Biden’s Executive Order 14043. Executive Order 14043 requires vaccination for COVID-19 for all federal workers without qualifying medical or religious exemptions. The mandate, issued in September, was one of the first and most successful vaccination requirements from the Biden administration.
Continue Reading Federal Judge in Texas Blocks Enforcement of Vaccine Mandate for Federal Workers

AB 1732, California’s Equal Restroom Access Act, goes into effect today, March 1, 2017.  Accordingly, all single-user toilet facilities in any California business establishment, place of public accommodation, or state or local government agency must be identified as all-gender toilet facilities.  A single-user toilet is “a toilet facility with no more than one water closet and one urinal with a locking mechanism controlled by the user.”  Essentially, single-user restrooms – restrooms with one toilet and/or urinal and sink – must now have a sign that states the restroom is for all genders.  For example, if your business establishment has two restrooms that are both single-user toilets, then both restrooms must be all-gender toilet facilities.  The signage must comply with Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, including the required gender-neutral geometric sign (a triangle within a circle).  The new law will be enforced by inspectors, building officials, and other local officials who may perform inspections to ensure compliance.
Continue Reading All Single User Restrooms In California Must Now Welcome All Genders

April 2016 has proven fruitful for California employees.  Last month, Governor Brown approved a series of gradual increases raising the statewide minimum wage rate in California to at least $15.00 by 2022.  A week later the Governor approved Assembly Bill No. 908, which revises the income-based formula to calculate benefits for a leave of absence covered by either California’s Paid Family Leave (PFL) or State Disability Income (SDI) programs for leave periods commencing on or after January 1, 2018. 
Continue Reading Onward and Upward – California’s Minimum Wage And Paid Family Leave Benefits Set To Increase Substantially Over The Next Few Years

On June 10, 2015, the Los Angeles City Council voted to increase the minimum wage to $15.00 an hour by 2020.  Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti signed the measure on Saturday, June 13, 2015.  Employers are required to increase their minimum wages in steps, starting with an increase to $10.50 an hour by July 1, 2016.  Even businesses located outside of Los Angeles should take note of this change, as hours worked within the city limits may be subject to the increased minimum wage rates.  Meanwhile, the state minimum wage, which is currently $9.00 an hour, will increase to $10.00 an hour on January 1, 2016. 
Continue Reading Los Angeles Mayor Approves Minimum Wage Increase

On Monday, July 21, 2014, the California Court of Appeal issued its opinion in Galen v. Redfin Corp., A138642.  This case is important for two reasons:  (1) the court upheld an arbitration agreement between a Seattle-based company and a California plaintiff challenging his status (and that of the putative class) as an independent contractor (v. employee), even though the agreement provided for the application of Washington law and a Washington venue; and (2) it reinforces California’s strong policy of enforcing forum-selection clauses, a policy that is relevant outside the context of arbitration, such as in the noncompete context.
Continue Reading California Court of Appeal Enforces Contractor’s Agreement to Arbitrate Misclassification Claims Out of State