Labor & Employment Law

1st District Court of Appeal, Labor & Employment Law, Litigation

Spilman v. The Salvation Army — Trial Court Used Wrong Test to Decide Whether Rehab Program Participants Were Volunteers or Employees

automatic / January 6, 2026

First District reverses summary judgment for the Salvation Army in a wage suit by adult-rehabilitation 'work therapy' participants, holding that the trial court applied the wrong legal standard for distinguishing a volunteer from an employee under California wage law.

3rd District Court of Appeal, Labor & Employment Law, Litigation

Sierra Pacific Industries Wage and Hour Cases — Defendant Waived Right to Compel Arbitration by Litigating for Years and Hiding Agreements

automatic / January 6, 2026

Third District affirms denial of Sierra Pacific's motion to compel arbitration in coordinated wage-and-hour class actions, finding the company waived arbitration rights by litigating for years and refusing to produce signed arbitration agreements until after class certification.