By Jorge Mercado Sunday, October 18th, 2026

Thousand Oaks-based EmployLaw Group recently celebrated its one-year anniversary.

Co-founders Jamie N. Stein and Ryan Haws say their exclusively employer-side employment law firm educates California employers and protects them before, during and after employment disputes.

“Reaching our one-year anniversary is a big source of pride for Ryan and me,” Stein told the Business Times.

“We worked really hard to get where we’re at right now and we’re so grateful for all of the support that we received from colleagues in our community,” she said. 

Stein and Haws say they have built their practice around a simple idea: the lawyer helping an employer prevent tomorrow’s lawsuit should understand what plaintiffs’ lawyers are arguing in today’s civil complaints.

Stein handles the firm’s litigation practice, defending California employers in individual, class and representative actions.

Haws leads the firm’s advice-and-counsel practice, working with businesses on the employment decisions they make.

The founders say EmployLaw Group handles a significant number of litigation cases in various industries including manufacturing, home health, agricultural, professional services, construction, nonprofits, hospitality and aerospace.

The past year saw the firm add several senior and support staff positions and grow its client base to several hundred companies, Stein and Haws said.

“Our clients know us, they work with us directly and they know they can call us before a problem becomes a crisis,” Haws said in a press release.

Stein and Haws work with a third attorney, of counsel, Manuel Ignacio and are looking to hire more lawyers.

NEW MANAGING ATTORNEY

Natasha Bhushan has been promoted to managing attorney of Santa Barbara-based Trusted Legal, taking on a larger leadership role at the growing woman-owned law firm.

Bhushan joined Trusted Legal in 2025 as a senior attorney, bringing more than a decade of experience advising businesses, entrepreneurs, nonprofits and private clients.

She quickly became an integral part of the firm and its work with clients navigating business formation and governance, transitions, real estate transactions and other complex legal matters, the firm’s founder, Naomi Dewey, said in a press release.

“Natasha brings wide legal knowledge, sound judgment and a genuine commitment to her clients,” Dewey said.

“I’m excited to see what we can build together,” she said.

Bhushan said she’s thrilled to take on her new role.

“Naomi has built something special and I’m honored to help carry it forward in partnership with her,” Bhushan said.

REJOINS PRIOR FIRM

Devin Mikulka recently rejoined San Luis Obispo-based Carmel & Naccasha as of counsel.

Her practice primarily focuses on advising employers in a variety of employment matters, including discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, wage and hour and PAGA actions (lawsuits brought under California’s Private Attorneys General Act).

Mikulka also works with clients to navigate the complicated rules for California employers, including updating handbooks, policies and procedures.

A Pasadena native, Mikulka relocated to the Central Coast in 2020, having previously worked for law firms in Southern California. 

Upon her relocation, she joined Carmel & Naccasha for two years as an associate attorney before joining the Van Dermyden Markis Law Corporation based in Sacramento.

ATTORNEY AI LAWS

California SB 574 establishes new requirements for attorneys using generative AI in legal practice, intellectual property law firm Cislo & Thomas says in its September 2026 newsletter.

The proposed rules reflect growing concerns about AI-generated errors in legal filings, including recent California cases involving fabricated citations and other inaccuracies, the firm, with offices in Santa Barbara and Westlake, says.
The bill, signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sept. 30, prohibits lawyers from entering confidential or nonpublic client information into unsecured AI systems.

It also requires attorneys to personally verify AI-generated content, including all legal citations.

Under the law, attorneys could face court sanctions for submitting unverified citations.

The legislation further requires disclosure of AI use to courts and prohibits attorneys from delegating the practice of law to AI. 

Cislo & Thomas says it uses AI for the purpose of checking and researching any work product in keeping with federal and state law and does not use AI to generate client work products. 

PREPPING FOR 2027

Camarillo-based employment law firm LightGabler will present a free, live webinar on Oct. 22 about steps employers can take now to prepare for 2027.

Employment attorney Angela Lopez will lead the “Close Out 2026 In Style” webinar for employers, supervisors and human resources professionals.

She will discuss best practices to implement in the final quarter of 2026 to prepare for potential changes in employment laws. Other topics include the Jan. 1, 2027, increase in the minimum wage, conducting year-end reviews, 2026 qualified overtime reporting criteria and the importance of taking the next few months to audit and update company policies and procedures.

“Close Out 2026 In Style” will be held from noon  to 12:50 p.m.

• Mike Harris covers law and government for the Business Times. Send news about important cases or personnel moves to him at [email protected].