Summary: Much has been written lately about companies’ unwillingness to invest or create new jobs in California. 2010 was the first census in which California did not add a member of Congress. Other states, including Texas, are seeing large influxes of new jobs and people. Some have suggested that California law (as passed by the legislature and as made by the courts) contributes to a negative business climate that discourages investment and job creation. This panel will look at California laws involving employment issues, tort liability, and environmental regulation and compare California’s approach to those of other states, including Texas to determine whether the law has become an impediment to job creation in California. This panel was featured at the Sixth Annual Western Conference on January 28, 2012. Featuring Mr. William J. Emanuel of Littler Mendelson PC; Mr. Jed Kolko of Trulia; Mr. H. Scott Leviant of Spiro Moss LLP; Mr. David A. Schwarz of Irell & Manella LLP; Ms. Kate Comerford Todd of the National Chamber Litigation Center; and Judge Carlos T. Bea of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit as the moderator. Introduction by Mr. Leonard A. Leo, Executive Vice President of The Federalist Society.
