A previous blog examined the significant M&A battle between Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. (WBD) and Paramount Skydance Corp. (PSKY). Although WBD shareholders approved PSKY’s $110 billion acquisition of WBD, and the U.S. Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division declined to challenge
Stephen Holzer Blogs
Latest from Stephen Holzer
Protect What’s Yours: Separate Property Claims in a California Divorce
Proving that an asset is separate property can become complicated during a California divorce. Spouses who owned property before marriage, received an inheritance, or kept separate financial accounts may need documentation to establish individual ownership and avoid preventable stress.
What
Franchise 101: Challenging Every Shingle Claim; and A Multistate Twist
Franchisor 101: Challenging Every Shingle Claim
A federal district court in Pennsylvania granted in part and denied in part a franchisor’s motion to dismiss a franchisee’s counterclaims alleging fraudulent inducement, negligent misrepresentation, and breach of contract, among other claims.
The
DOL Opinion Letters Address Hybrid Worker Travel and Pre-Shift Work: California Employer Takeaways
On July 22, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division issued two new opinion letters addressing questions that have become increasingly common in today’s remote-work reality: when does commuter travel for hybrid workers become compensable time, and when
California Minimum Wage Increases in 2027
Effective January 1, 2027, the California minimum wage will rise to $17.40 per hour for all employers, regardless of size, representing a 50-cent increase from the current statewide minimum wage of $16.90 per hour.
The increase will also affect the
California Divorce: Most Important Documents to Hold On to
Divorces in California often require extensive documentation, and the records spouses keep—or fail to keep—can significantly impact the outcome of their cases.
Divorcing spouses must complete and file multiple legal forms to initiate the dissolution process, disclose financial information, and
Franchise 101: A Rub in the Right Direction; and Side Hustles Can Bite Back
Franchisor 101: A Rub in the Right Direction
A federal district court in New Jersey transferred a case brought by a New Jersey-based franchisee against its franchisor to the Eastern District of Missouri, where the franchisor maintained its headquarters. The
IRS Updates Mileage Reimbursement Rate: What California Employers Should Know
California Labor Code section 2802 requires California employers to reimburse employees for all necessary expenses incurred in the course of their employment, including the business use of their personal vehicles. This obligation is designed to ensure employees are not bearing
California Court Rules: Harassment Based on Sexual Orientation Is Sexual Harassment
A recent court of appeals case, Decloedt v. Radnet Management, Inc. establishes that harassment based on an employee’s sexual orientation qualifies as “sexual harassment” under California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). The ruling also has implications for employers who
The M&A Journey: From Competing Bids to Board Approval
Earlier this year, Netflix and Warner Bros., longtime entertainment giants, made headlines not because of a show or movie but for a major corporate acquisition.
On Dec. 5, 2025, Netflix Inc. and Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. (WBD) entered into a