Labor Law: Costly Wage Claims - Don't Be a Victim of PAGA

Labor Law: Costly Wage Claims - Don't Be a Victim of PAGA

Understanding the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) and Its Impact on You

Presented by the Firm of Klinedinst PC, Employment Law Experts

 Details

When:                    Thursday, October 30, 2025, from 1:00 P.M. – 2:00 P.M.

How to Attend:       Exclusively for AAGLA Members, Members Can Register Using the “Register Now” Button

A PAGA lawsuit is a legal action taken by an "aggrieved employee" under California's Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) seeking to recover civil penalties from an employer for violations of the California Labor Code on behalf of the state. The law allows individual employees (called "aggrieved employees") to act as private attorneys general to sue employers for Labor Code violations and provides a mechanism for employees to address violations that might otherwise go unnoticed by state enforcement agencies. These lawsuits address widespread violations, with the recovered penalties split between the state and the employee. PAGA also includes a process for employers to cure certain violations, potentially avoiding litigation. 

Don’t be mistaken…your so-called independent contractor or your onsite manager may be and very likely are your employees who have been misclassified by you. When hiring on-site property managers or independent contractors, landlords can face unique employment challenges related to their dual roles as both property managers and residents.

In California, housing your on-site manager is not just a perk—but a legal balancing act between landlord and employer obligations. Providing on-site housing to apartment managers, maintenance workers, and security staff in property management can be a smart operational choice. However, when a property owner or management company provides housing to an employee, it creates a dual legal relationship. You are no longer just an employer. You are also, functionally, a landlord. That dual role brings unique legal obligations and increased exposure under California employment and landlord-tenant laws.

Your live-in apartment manager might handle lockouts or tenant complaints at odd hours. That flexibility may be part of the appeal, but California’s wage-and-hour laws still apply unless the employee qualifies for a specific exemption. That includes minimum wage, overtime, meal and rest breaks, and accurate timekeeping. As the dual property owner and employer, you should define expectations clearly and provide tools for tracking time. Any ‘informal’ or undocumented labor opens the door to wage claims. What feels like convenience now could lead to liability later. Failing to comply with California’s wage-and-hour laws can result in legal exposure, including some recent cases that had to be settled for more than “six figures.”

Many  rental housing providers hire independent contractors, or what they believe to be independent contractors. However, these so-called independent contractors may be misclassified employees. Hiring independent contractors can expose a landlord to business to legal risks, primarily related to misclassification, where a worker is incorrectly classified as an independent contractor instead of an employee or if an independent contractor hurts themselves while on the job and adequate workers compensation insurance is not maintained. This misclassification can lead to significant financial penalties and legal challenges from various government agencies and even the workers themselves. Lack of workers compensation insurance coverage may result in significant legal liability.

During this webinar, our legal expert, Imbar Liebowitz from the law firm of Klinedinst PC will cover:

• Understanding the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) and its impact on employers, and common allegations that are made in PAGA and other employment related lawsuits.
• Know the rules and avoid legal exposure when hiring an onsite manager or any other employees.
• How hiring an independent contractor handyman or tradesman can be your worst nightmare – how to protect yourself from legal exposure – Learn the “A-B-C” test! Also, the “Borello” test.
• The most expensive types of legal exposure and where those risks originate from: (i) Wage & Hour claims; (ii) Misclassification of Employees; (iii) Fair Employment Housing Act; and more!
• Meal and required rest breaks, and of course, the minimum wage laws and overtime. Know the difference: “Exempt” vs. “Non-Exempt” employees.
• And, much more! Your questions will help drive the discussion.

WARNING: THE INFORMATION PROVIDED DURING THIS WEBINAR IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY. ABSOLUTELY NO LEGAL OR TAX ADVICE IS BEING GIVEN DURING THIS WEBINAR.  BEAR IN MIND THAT EVERY SITUATION IS UNIQUE, AND THE LAWS, RULES AND REGULATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME.  SO, BEFORE ACTING, BE SURE TO OBTAIN TAX AND/OR LEGAL ADVICE FROM A LICENSED PROFESSIONAL.

Presenter:

Imbar Liebowitz, Senior Counsel, Klinedinst PC

 Imbar Sagi-Lebowitz serves as Senior Counsel in Klinedinst’s Downtown Los Angeles office. She has experience representing clients in labor and employment litigation, including discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, retaliation, and matters involving wage and hour violations. As part of her practice, she represents employers in arbitrations, civil actions, mediations, and settlement conferences. Ms. Sagi-Lebowitz earned her law degree from Loyola Law School, where she graduated in the top 20% of her class. While attending law school, she served as Articles Editor and Staff Writer for Loyola of Los Angeles Law Review. She graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s in science from UCLA in 2000. For more information, call Ms. Liebowitz at (213) 442-7000.

Moderator:

Daniel Yukelson, AAGLA Executive Director

Daniel Yukelson is currently the Executive Director of The Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles (AAGLA).  As Certified Public Accountant, Yukelson began his career at Ernst & Young, the global accounting firm, and since then had served in senior financial roles principally as Chief Financial Officer for various public, private and start-up companies.  Prior to joining AAGLA, Yukelson served for 12 years as Chief Financial Officer for Premiere Radio Networks, now a subsidiary of I-Heart Media, and then 3 years as Chief Financial Officer for Oasis West Realty, the owner of the Beverly Hilton and Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills where he was involved with the development and construction of the Waldorf.  Yukelson also served for 6 years as a Planning Commissioner and for 3 years as a Public Works Commissioner for the City of Beverly Hills.

A Featured Presentation By: 

Klinedinst PC

Since its beginnings in San Diego, Klinedinst PC has become the go-to firm for clients across the western United States, including California, Washington, Arizona, and Nevada. Our litigators, trial attorneys, and transactional lawyers guide clients through every problem, finding solutions at every turn. Whether protecting your business in court, helping negotiate your transaction, or handling your matter on the appellate level, Klinedinst attorneys help get the job done. 

The firm maintains seven physical locations in San Diego, Irvine, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Sacramento, and Seattle. Our team of trial attorneys, transactional lawyers, and litigators stand ready to provide guidance and counsel in a wide array of matters. The firm is a member of two large legal networks: USLAW Network and Lawyers Associated Worldwide. Through our relationships with excellent attorneys in these networks, Klinedinst is able to help clients find solutions to every legal issue, regardless of place or venue. For more information, call (213) 442-7000 or go to https://klinedinstlaw.com/.