Kurt Barker

Best Best & Krieger LLP (BBK) is proud to congratulate Kurt Barker, Laura Fowler, Cecilia Martin, Joey Sanchez and Michael Travis on their recognition in the 2027 Lawdragon 500 Leading Corporate Employment Lawyers annual list. These attorneys are recognized for their experience and contributions to the field of corporate employment law, advising employers and public agencies on a wide range of workplace and labor matters.

Each year, California enacts a number of new laws impacting employers across the state. New legislation for 2026 includes significant updates affecting wages and compensation, labor relations and enforcement, personnel records and pay equity, employment contracts, workplace rights and notices, leave and benefits, public works compliance, and independent contractor classification.

Inauguration week yielded a flurry of presidential executive orders, including 26 on Monday, January 20, 2025, alone. Many of those orders seem to be creating buzz, if not serious and understandable confusion, about possible impacts on the American workplace. Below are some comments on two of those orders in regards to workplace policy and anti-discrimination laws.