Summary of June 2025’s Labor Law Cases in Orange County, CA
Brought to you by our Orange County, California team at HKM Employment Attorneys — a legal roundup for HR professionals, employers, and employees. California’s June 2025 developments blend judiciary rulings—affecting DEI programs and arbitration—with wage escalations and sweeping regulatory reforms. Employers should act now: update wage scales, audit exempt salaries, establish clear fee-payment procedures for arbitration systems, and adjust HR policies under new healthcare, consumer, and education laws.
For guidance tailored to your workplace, contact HKM Employment Attorneys at https://hkm.com.
San Francisco AIDS Foundation v. Trump — Court Ruling
Date: June 9, 2025
Summary:
The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California granted a preliminary injunction preventing enforcement of parts of three federal executive orders focused on DEI and gender ideology, but only in regard to plaintiffs including the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and other LGBTQIA+ nonprofits.
Implications:
Employers and nonprofits in California engaged in DEI initiatives should note the uncertainty around federal mandates; enforcement is paused only for plaintiffs now, but the ruling may encourage additional legal challenges.
In re Arbitration Fee Waiver — Appellate Court Decision
Date: June 24, 2025
Summary:
A California appellate court ruled that employers may waive their right to compel arbitration if they fail to timely pay arbitration fees, even unintentionally.
Implications:
Employers in California must promptly pay arbitration-associated fees to preserve arbitration rights. A case-by-case protocol is recommended to avoid inadvertent waiver.
Local & Industry‑Specific Minimum Wage Increases — Legislation/Regulation
Date: Effective July 1, 2025
Summary:
California’s statewide minimum wage rose to $16.50/hr on January 1, 2025; exempt-salary threshold now $68,640/yr. Healthcare employers statewide pay $23/hr through June 30, increasing to $24/hr from July 1.
Many cities/counties (e.g., Alameda, Berkeley, Emeryville, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Santa Monica) are adopting higher general and industry‑specific wage rates, effective July 1 .
Implications:
Employers must audit payroll and exempt classifications, especially in healthcare, hospitality, fast food, and local jurisdictions. Exempt employees must meet the new salary criterion. Collective bargaining agreements should be reviewed to ensure compliance with a floor of 1.3 × minimum wage.
New Statewide Consumer, Health & Wage Laws — Legislation
Date: Effective July 1, 2025
Summary:
Major laws take effect across multiple domains.
- Abortion coverage mandate in health plans (including IVF), with religious exemptions (SB 729).
- Student ID cards must include 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline info (SB 1063).
- Court notice and technology upgrades for mental-health and remote proceedings (AB 170, SB 42).
- Consumer transparency rules on subscriptions and pet‑insurance (AB 2863, SB 1217).
Implications:
While not all labor-specific, these changes impact HR policies and employee communication. Employers should revisit benefit summaries, ID-card issuance protocols, and employee-facing policies to ensure compliance.
Conclusion: Looking back on Orange County, CA Labor Law Updates in June 2025
California courts are increasingly scrutinizing wage-and-hour violations, discrimination, contract breaches, and severance and separation agreements—making local counsel essential. At HKM Employment Attorneys in Orange County, our Irvine-based team led by Cecilia Brennan has secured over $250 million for employees in all facets of employment law, including discrimination, wrongful termination, wage claims, contract review, FMLA, disability accommodations, ethics, and severance agreement counseling. Recognized by Super Lawyers and peer-rated AV, we provide responsive, no-fee-unless-we-win advocacy and help clients navigate pre-litigation strategies and courtroom actions. If the latest California rulings resonate with your experience, reach out to our Orange County office to explore how we can stand with you.
