Operations During Shelter-in-Place
jahangirilawgroup
March 18, 2020
While we all grapple with the Corona Virus and related issues, we want you to know that we are doing whatever we can to continue serving clients and the public. We will try to accommodate anyone for consultation or meetings by altering when and how a meeting takes place. We offer video-conferencing and tele-conferencing as an alternative.
Some courts are closing. Some are reducing access or hours of operation. We will monitor and report how this may affect pending cases and court operations for the near future.
Let us know if you have any questions. Best wishes for your safety and health.
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Today is the last day of our summer intern, Amelie Zuberi, a student at the University of Edinburgh, and we want to recognize her outstanding contributions to our office this summer. Amelie approached every assignment with enthusiasm, professionalism, and a willingness to learn. Her work spanned a remarkable range of responsibilities, from shredding files and organizing our printer room to reviewing a commercial lease, conducting legal research, drafting a demand letter, and preparing blog content. No task was beneath her, and every task received the same level of care and attention. What impressed us most was that Amelie consistently performed well beyond what is typically expected of a summer intern. She is sharp, efficient, highly motivated, reliable, and eager to take on new challenges. Her strong work ethic and positive attitude made her a valuable member of our team. We are grateful for all of her hard work and will greatly miss having her in the office. We wish Amelie continued success in her studies and future career, and we hope this internship provided a meaningful and rewarding learning experience. Best of luck, Amelie. We look forward to seeing all that you accomplish in the years ahead.
I’m excited to share that I’ve been named to Super Lawyers 2026. This honor means a lot to me, and thank you to my clients, colleagues, and community for your continued support. I’m grateful and humbled.
Jahangiri Law Group is honored to announce that we have been awarded the Silver Medal in the Contra Costa County Bar Association’s 2025 Diversity Awards. This distinction recognizes law firms that demonstrate meaningful commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion within the legal profession and the broader community. Our advancement from last year’s Bronze Medal to this year’s Silver Medal reflects the continued growth of our initiatives and the dedication of our team to fostering an inclusive and representative workplace. We extend our sincere appreciation to the Contra Costa County Bar Association for this recognition. Jahangiri Law Group remains committed to advancing diversity within our firm, our profession, and the communities we proudly serve.
We were fortunate to have Riya Datla join us as a summer legal intern, and she made a lasting impression from day one. Riya brought an exceptional level of focus, dedication, and professionalism to every task she tackled. Her work ethic was truly remarkable—she consistently worked with minimal guidance, showing initiative and independence. Riya approached each assignment with seriousness and care, demonstrating a deep commitment to learning and contributing meaningfully to our team. Her ability to work autonomously while still being a thoughtful collaborator made her an invaluable part of our summer cohort. We hope this internship was as rewarding for Riya as it was for us. She has a bright future ahead, and we’re excited to see where her legal journey takes her next!
Our firm recently represented a commercial tenant in a dispute involving a long-term lease agreement. The landlord had initiated tenant improvements and asserted that our client was bound to continue under the lease terms. Upon careful review of the lease, we identified critical deficiencies that rendered the lease unenforceable. We promptly communicated our findings to the landlord, and following our intervention, the landlord agreed to release our client from all contractual claims—without litigation. This outcome reflects our commitment to thorough legal analysis and strategic advocacy in complex real estate matters. Note : Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Details have been omitted to protect client confidentiality.
We’re proud to share a recent litigation outcome that showcases our aggressive strategy and unwavering commitment to our client’s defense. In a case involving substantial claims against our client, we mounted a vigorous defense and negotiated a settlement for a fraction of the amount originally demanded. The final resolution was comparable to what our client would have spent solely on expert witnesses—eliminating the need for trial and securing a result that aligned with their goals. Beyond the favorable settlement amount, our approach saved our client hundreds of thousands of dollars in litigation costs, including discovery, expert preparation, and trial expenses. This outcome reflects the power of strategic advocacy and our dedication to protecting our clients’ interests at every stage. Note : Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Details have been omitted to protect client confidentiality.
I’m honored to be recognized in this year’s Super Lawyers list. This acknowledgment reflects the continued trust of my clients and colleagues, and I’m sincerely grateful for their support. I remain committed to delivering thoughtful, effective counsel and advocating with integrity. It’s a privilege to do meaningful work alongside such dedicated professionals.
The California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), which significantly amended the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), has established a robust framework for consumer data privacy. Businesses need to understand the nuances of "personal information" and "sensitive personal information" under CPRA as it is crucial for achieving and maintaining compliance. What is "Personal Information" under CPRA? The CPRA adopts a broad definition of "personal information" (PI), encompassing any information that "identifies, relates to, describes, is reasonably capable of being associated with, or could reasonably be linked, directly or indirectly, with a particular consumer or household." This includes, but is not limited to: Identifiers: Real name, alias, postal address, unique personal identifier, online identifier (e.g., IP address, cookie ID), email address, account name, Social Security number, driver's license number, passport number, or other similar identifiers. Customer Records Information: Signature, physical characteristics or description, telephone number, state identification card number, insurance policy number, employment, employment history, bank account number, credit card number, debit card number, or any other financial information, medical information, or health insurance information. Characteristics of Protected Classifications: Under California or federal law (e.g., age, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation). Commercial Information: Records of personal property, products or services purchased, obtained, or considered, or other purchasing or consuming histories or tendencies. Biometric Information: Physiological, biological, or behavioral characteristics, including DNA, used or intended to be used, separately or in combination with other data, to establish individual identity (e.g., fingerprints, facial recognition). Internet or Other Electronic Network Activity Information: Browse history, search history, and information regarding a consumer's interaction with an internet website, application, or advertisement. Geolocation Data: Information that indicates the precise location of an individual or device. Sensory Data: Audio, electronic, visual, thermal, olfactory, or similar information (e.g., call recordings, CCTV footage). Professional or Employment-Related Information. Inferences: Information drawn from any of the above to create a profile about a consumer reflecting the consumer's preferences, characteristics, psychological trends, predispositions, behavior, attitudes, intelligence, abilities, and aptitudes. It is important to note that personal information does not include publicly available information from federal, state, or local government records (e.g., professional licenses, public real estate records). What is "Sensitive Personal Information" (SPI) under CPRA? The CPRA introduced a new, more protected category of personal information: Sensitive Personal Information (SPI) . This subset of PI requires heightened safeguards due to its potentially intimate or revealing nature, and consumers have additional rights regarding its use and disclosure. SPI includes personal information that reveals: A consumer's Social Security number, driver's license number, state identification card, or passport number. A consumer's account log-in, financial account, debit card, or credit card number in combination with any required security or access code, password, or credentials allowing access to an account. A consumer's precise geolocation. A consumer's racial or ethnic origin, religious or philosophical beliefs, or union membership. The contents of a consumer's mail, email, and text messages, unless the business is the intended recipient of the communication. A consumer's genetic data. The processing of biometric information for the purpose of uniquely identifying a consumer. Information concerning a consumer's health. Information concerning a consumer's sex life or sexual orientation. Key Differences and Why They Matter for Businesses The distinction between general "personal information" and "sensitive personal information" is critical because the CPRA imposes additional obligations and consumer rights specifically for SPI. Heightened Protection: Businesses handling SPI must implement more robust security measures to protect this data from unauthorized access or disclosure. Right to Limit Use and Disclosure: Consumers have a new right to direct businesses to limit the use and disclosure of their SPI to only those purposes necessary to perform the services or provide the goods reasonably expected by an average consumer. This means businesses generally cannot use or disclose SPI for other purposes, such as cross-context behavioral advertising, without explicit consumer permission. Dedicated Opt-Out Link: Businesses that use or disclose SPI for purposes other than those allowed by the CPRA must provide a "clear and conspicuous link" on their homepage(s) labeled "Limit the Use of My Sensitive Personal Information." This is in addition to the "Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information" link for general personal information. Notice at Collection: Businesses must clearly disclose the categories of SPI collected, the purposes for which it is collected or used, and whether it is sold or shared. What Businesses Need to Know for CPRA Compliance: To effectively comply with the CPRA, businesses must undertake a comprehensive approach to data privacy, with a particular focus on the differentiated treatment of personal and sensitive information: Data Inventory and Mapping: Identify all types of personal information you collect, store, process, and share. This includes data from customers, employees, job applicants, contractors, and business-to-business (B2B) contacts (as CPRA largely removed previous exemptions for employee and B2B data). Specifically identify and classify any sensitive personal information (SPI) collected. Map how data flows across your organization, including transfers to third parties, service providers, and contractors. Update Privacy Policies and Notices: Clearly disclose the categories of personal information and sensitive personal information collected. State the purposes for which each category of information is collected and used. Specify retention periods for all categories of personal and sensitive information, ensuring data is not kept longer than "reasonably necessary" for the disclosed purpose. Explain consumer rights under CPRA, including the right to know, delete, correct, opt-out of sale/sharing, and limit the use of sensitive personal information. Implement Opt-Out Mechanisms: Provide "Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information" and "Limit the Use of My Sensitive Personal Information" links on your website homepage(s) and other relevant data collection pages. Ensure these links lead to user-friendly pages where consumers can easily exercise their rights. Maintain records of opt-out requests for at least 12 months. Data Minimization and Security: Collect only the personal information and SPI that is absolutely necessary for your disclosed purposes. Implement robust security measures to protect all personal information, with heightened safeguards (e.g., encryption, access controls) for SPI. Develop a comprehensive incident response plan. Respond to Consumer Requests: Establish clear and efficient processes for responding to consumer requests to access, delete, correct, opt-out of sale/sharing, and limit the use of their personal and sensitive information. Ensure timely responses (typically within 45 days, with a possible 45-day extension). Notify service providers, contractors, and third parties to whom data has been shared when a deletion request is received. Third-Party Contracts: Review and update contracts with service providers and third parties to ensure they are also compliant with CPRA obligations, especially regarding data protection and consumer rights. Training: Provide regular training to all employees who handle personal data on CPRA requirements and best practices for data privacy and security. By diligently addressing these areas, businesses can navigate the complexities of CPRA, protect consumer privacy, and mitigate the risks of non-compliance, including significant penalties from the California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA). For any business operating in California or collecting data from California residents, a proactive and well-informed approach to data privacy is no longer optional, but a legal imperative. Brinda Bellur is a dual-licensed attorney in California and India, with extensive experience in both litigation and transactional matters. She holds an LLM from UC SF Law (formerly UC Hastings) and certifications in privacy (CIPP/US, IAPP) and commercial contracts (UC Berkeley Law Executive Education).
