Month: May 2018

Food For Thought, Inpsiration, Journal

Continual Learning

Sanjay Sabarwal

Every time I feel like I have come to an understanding of myself, I discover I still have a ways to go. After Papa and my maasi passing, there has been an obsessiveness to accomplish things and create a legacy. Yet in that drive to get things done, I sometimes place more value on tasks rather than just stepping back, just BEING, present and connected to my loved ones.

Each day, I wake up with a racing mind on my to do list, and I sometimes lose sight that is OKAY to just be. Here. Now. To hear what others have to say, to listen, to be connected. More and more, I am in a rush to get to the next thing, and there is just so much I am missing out, so many I am not there for, and it hits me that it cannot just be about my getting things done. It is about learning to open my heart, and ears and be in service.

There are times I get it right, but more often than not I fail. And so I get to pick myself up and continue learning on how to be a better version of myself. Self-pity, loathing and playing victim not only weaken me, they contribute to me being even more disconnected from others.

So I take a breath. I slow down. I look up. And then I will seek support so I can learn to be not so focused on tasks. Wish me luck.

Business Law, Legal

Remember UBER/LYFT Cheaper than a DUI: Legal Reasons #76

Sanjay Sabarwal

DUI Checkpoints

DUI checkpoints are used throughout California to find and arrest drunk drivers. These checkpoints are commonly found on the highways or surface streets. If the symptoms of a DUI are noticed, the driver will be requested to step out of the vehicle and perform field sobriety tests at the scene.

The United States Supreme Court found in the case of The Department of State Police v. Sitz, 496 U.S., 444 (190) that DUI checkpoints do not violate the Fourth Amendment’s prohibition against unreasonable searches and seizures and sobriety checkpoints outweighed the constitutional rights of the individual citizen. It was ruled that interests of government in identifying DUI drivers, reducing the fatalities overturned, the intrusion of human privacy rights, and sobriety checkpoints, were acceptable.

This weekend, be smart and don’t drive if you plan on drinking. The cost of a using a car service is still much, much cheaper than a defending a DUI

Here are some planned checkpoints for Orange County and LA County

Business Law, employment law, Legal

Upcoming Business and Employment Law Seminar: Legal Reasons #75

Sanjay Sabarwal

I am glad the week is done as I and my senior associate Jemal Yarbrough cannot wait to present information that we feel is vital for anyone considering starting a business or any business with employees. One of the main things that motivated me to start my own law practice was to find ways to be in service to others in the legal arena and give information that is beneficial (and affordable) to anyone who desired it.

As in house counsel for Ziba Beauty for the past 17 years, I know it is very easy to run afoul of the many employment laws in California.  Too often, small businesses are not aware of the various rules in regard to wage and hour issues as well the recent uptick in sexual harassment claims. If you are interest, please do come out.

 

Happy Friday!

Food For Thought, Inpsiration, Journal

Stretching Myself

Sanjay Sabarwal

I am still sore from my 6am crossfit work out today, yet more than anything else, I know now that the way to move forward is to keep pushing, stretching, being uncomfortable.  It’s not just exercise, I am determined to keep pushing in all areas of my life. Because more than anything else I have a bigger vision for my life than just work a 9 to 5 and watch hours of television as the basis of my entertainment.

Each day is a reminder that so much can be done in 24 hours, sometimes I allow fear and indecisiveness win those hours where I am not pushing myself to the edge. I settle to do the average or what’s expected, and while there is a time and place for it, it is not every day. I don’t want my days to look-alike. I don’t want to ever wonder what if? I don’t want to have more days sleeping in rather than jumping out of bed and live a day of passions.

So I get to keep pushing, stretching, growing with the ideas, even at my worst idea is still better than lying in bed watching hour of channel surfing or scrolling mindlessly through my social media. What will you be doing?

Happy Monday!

Business Law, employment law, Legal

Common Small Business Employee Lawsuits: Legal Reasons #74

Sanjay Sabarwal

The most common lawsuits brought against businesses are wrongful termination suits brought by employees or candidates who have suffered a negative employment action. This can be anything from being fired to being demoted or even passed over for an advancement opportunity. If the employee or candidate believes that the action was taken for a reason related to race, gender, religion, identity, or another protected classification, that employee might file a lawsuit. For this reason, it is important to document any sort of negative or positive behaviors at work, so that if an employee does complain of discrimination, the courts can see the employee’s work history and the real reason why he or she may have been passed over for a promotion. Disparaging remarks made about any of these protected classes have no business in a work place as they can create a hostile work environment and lead to lawsuits as well.

Many employers choose to save money by denying their employees overtime pay. This can create many extra costs, as employees will sue for the money they are owed, and the legal fees can be significant. It is a good idea to have contracts establishing the boundaries of a relationship between an employer and an employee to minimize confusion.

It also makes sense to put agreements with vendors and customers in writing. The contracts should include a general description of the work to be performed, a list of any items to be delivered, a project schedule with deadlines, the fee, and the circumstances under which additional fees might be charged, warranties included with the work, how long the contract lasts, how it can be terminated, and how disputes will be resolved.

Personal injury lawsuits against businesses are also common, so it is important to make sure that a place of business is kept in safe condition. Floors should always be dry and warnings should be presented to customers of any dangerous conditions. Drivers should be selected carefully as any accident they cause can be made the responsibility of the business that employs them. Employees who are injured at work are usually precluded from suing their employer and are instead referred to worker’s compensation courts which have their own legal fees. Most states require employers to carry insurance in case of a workplace injury.

Food For Thought, Inpsiration, Journal

A Heavy May

Sanjay Sabarwal

It’s so strange to think I am already in May. 2018 looks to be a year of pushing myself in so many ways, yet I also cannot help the tinge of sadness in my thought and actions. The ache of missing loved ones no longer here not only pushes me forward to be a better version of myself, it is a constant reminder of failing to be present around them more often. I cannot help the guilt of not taking extra time to just take them in, and although I was blessed to have a lot of time with them, there is still regret because I could have had so much more.

In my quest to push myself, I forgot the reason why I wanted to be the best version of myself. It wasn’t for material gains or to make myself look good in front of others, but to truly live a life worth living. Too late, I found out that also meant that it’s not always about the tasks at hand, or my vision, but by just being here, now, in this moment. Instead, there are days I jump around from one things to another and while that’s not a bad thing, it can lead to distraction and not being there for others.

It can also lead to a lonely time when there is so much I want to get done, and there are months like May where there are so many things to do in all areas of my life, and I feel stretched, sometimes so much so that it feels I could snap.

So I take a breath, and remember the ones not here who provided so much love, inspiration and guidance, and I grieve, and then I know I am grateful for the time I did have.

Happy Monday.