Photo of Jacqueline Simonovich

Jacqueline is an associate in the Firm’s Litigation practice group. She defends businesses and nonprofits in both California and federal courts as well as in international forums, handling contractual, employment, tort disputes, and constitutional issues. As Diversity Director for the Barristers Club of San Francisco, she organizes the Annual Diversity Conference and Awards and advocates for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal profession. She also created Yoga for Lawyers to help attorneys manage stress, promoting the idea that “Being a Lawyer is Stressful. Yoga is Not.”

A recent Texas federal court ruling has put a halt on the enforcement of the FTC’s ban on non-compete agreements. Learn more about this ruling and the implications it has for employers from Shauna Correia and Jacqueline Simonovich as they give an update from their previous episode in this installment of California Employment News.

The FTC’s new rule banning non-compete clauses will take effect on September 4th and impact all workers, including contractors and interns. Weintraub attorneys Jacqueline Simonovich and Shauna Correia discuss the pending legal challenges and how the outcome could reach the Supreme Court in the latest installment of “California Employment News.”Continue Reading California Employment News: Understanding the FTC Non-Compete Ban Key Insights for Employers

On July 1, 2024 Governor Newsom signed SB-92 and AB-2288 into law, which instituted sweeping reforms to California’s Private Attorneys General Act (“PAGA”). PAGA was passed 20 years ago to provide a private mechanism for employees to pursue claims on behalf of the Labor and Workforce Development Agency (“LWDA”) against employers for alleged Labor Code violations. PAGA was meant to improve compensation for and benefit workers in California, but in practice has largely benefitted plaintiffs’ attorneys, which was why reforms were necessary.Continue Reading PAGA Reform: Key Takeaways for California Employers

On May 10, 2024, the Ninth Circuit decided Yuriria Diaz v. Macys West Stores, Inc.  In that case, Diaz brought California Private Attorneys General Act (“PAGA”) claims against her former employer.  The district court compelled both Plaintiff’s individual and non-individual PAGA claims to arbitration, reasoning that the arbitration agreement’s broad language must be interpreted to encompass both types of claims.  Macy’s appealed.Continue Reading Ninth Circuit Holds that Non-Individual PAGA Claims Cannot be Compelled to Arbitration Even When the Agreement Only Waives Class or Collective Actions

Yesterday, the California Supreme Court, in Adolph v. Uber Technologies, Inc., addressed the United States Supreme Court’s decision in Viking River Cruises, Inc. v. Moriana, 142 S.Ct. 1906 (2022). The much-anticipated Adolph decision, addresses the question of whether an “aggrieved employee,” who has been compelled to arbitrate individual PAGA claims (i.e. Labor Code violations allegedly suffered by the plaintiff in an individual capacity), loses standing to pursue non-individual PAGA claims (i.e. Labor Code violations allegedly suffered by other employees) in court. Continue Reading CA Supreme Court Holds Compelling Arbitration of Individual PAGA Claim Does Not Strip Standing to Litigate Representative Claims