YMPK Law Group, LLP

In April, Congressional Democrats introduced legislation to expand the Supreme Court from 9 to 13 justices. The size of the Supreme Court, which has fluctuated since it was established in 1789, has remained at nine since 1869. The Supreme Court can, in fact, be expanded by an act of Congress. President Biden also announced the formation of a commission of liberals and conservatives to study the structure of the Supreme Court, including the number of justices and the length o...f their service. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Justice Stephen Breyer, both voiced skepticism about expanding the court over the last few years and yet the topic remains incredibly controversial. This will be an interesting study that the country will follow closely. What do you think? Should the Supreme Court be restructured?

California is a state that uses colored curbs to indicate different rules and regulations related to parking. Do you know what each of them means?

As businesses, universities, and other organizations attempt to return to normal operations, coronavirus-vaccine mandates have become the subject of intense debate. And just as schools and private employers can require vaccines for the measles, flu, and other diseases, it appears they can require coronavirus vaccines even before those vaccines have full approval, according to data compiled by Holly Fernandez Lynch and Govind Persad of the Washington Post. It is important to n...ote, that while an entity can mandate the vaccine, people will still have the choice to not get it if they wish - but they may be barred from certain places as a result. Mandates are popping up here and there but have yet to sweep the country by storm. And many states, organizations, and individuals and pushing back against mandates, using the legal system to fight them, of which many cases have yet to be decided. So despite the fact that it appears they can, many institutions are taking a cautious approach to mandates as they continue to receive pushback in the legal system. The University of California system, for instance, says it will delay mandates until coronavirus vaccines gain the full approval of the Food and Drug Administration. The country is definitely eager to get back to some state of normalcy and put the coronavirus and its lockdowns behind us. It will be interesting to watch as the mandate debate evolves. What do you think? Should the coronavirus vaccine be mandated?

Imagine your life has been turned upside down due to an accident. Now imagine having an exceptional attorney take care of you throughout the process of mental, physical, and financial recovery. When you need help the most, we ensure your case receives the attention it deserves. And we stake our reputation on that. That's the YMPK difference. Call us today for your FREE consultation. (323) 9994903

Attention lawyers and aspiring lawyers! Were you aware that the California Supreme Court has reversed course and permitted a provisional licensure program that will create a path for bar exam applicants who would have passed the test under the state's newly lowered pass score to practice in California? This is a very interesting development with far-reaching consequences. For our fellow attorneys out there, are we in favor of this change or will this negatively impact our profession?

Involved in a car accident? Scared of dealing with insurance companies? Nervous you won't get the settlement you deserve. Call YMPK today for a free consultation. We don't charge a thing until we win. And ensuring you get every penny you deserve is what we do best. Call (323) 999-4903 today. Don't wait.

The former Minneapolis policeman, Derek Chauvin (top left) accused of killing George Floyd will stand trial alone, without the other three officers accused of aiding and abetting the alleged murder, a Minnesota judge ruled Tuesday, in part because of COVID-19 concerns. Judge Peter Cahill said in his ruling that the space limitations in the courthouse make it impossible to comply with COVID-19 physical restrictions in a joint trial involving all four defendants, given the nu...mber of lawyers and support personnel expected. Derek Chauvin has been charged with second-degree murder and other lesser charges in the May 25 death of George Floyd, after pinning his neck to the ground for nearly nine minutes. Prosecutors were surprised by Cahill’s ruling, and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said in a statement that all four officers should face charges in the same trial. Ellison said that the evidence against all the defendants is similar and that holding more than one trial could, retraumatize eyewitnesses and family members. Chauvin’s trial is scheduled to begin March 8 and the other three officers will be tried in August, according to court papers. Do you think Judge Cahill made the right decision? What are your thoughts on the trial of these former police officers?

The personal touch, the fact that our clients deal directly with one of our attorneys, and the settlements we achieve - these are the top reasons our clients are so satisfied and continue to recommend us to their family and friends. Give us a call for the protection and guidance you need through the legal process. (323) 999-4903

Happy New Year! As a reminder, the California legislature passed hundreds of bills in 2020, some of which take effect this year. Over the next few weeks, we'll highlight some that you should be aware of. Here are 4 of them.

You've made it to the weekend! And while you're surely ready to spend it doing the things you love, ensure you do so with extra care if traveling by car. Legal advisory company Avvo analyzed data from the NHTSA finding that Saturday afternoon is the most dangerous time of the week on U.S. roadways. The biggest factors contributing to this include alcohol and speeding. In California, we know that Saturday afternoons are always busy on the roads so be safe and alert out there.

Car insurance policies are expensive in California. The average auto insurance expense in California is $1,713 per year -- 20% more than the national average. Does this surprise you?

aka Merry Armenian Christmas! Today we celebrate Armenian Christmas. But why isn't it on December 25th? Until the 4th century, all Christian churches celebrated Christmas (Christ's birth) on January 6th. According to Roman Catholic sources, the date was changed from January 6th to December 25th in order to override a pagan feast dedicated to the birth of the sun which was celebrated on that date. The 6th remains an important date for Catholics (the feas...t of Epiphany) but it is no longer the day they celebrate Christmas. Armenia was not impacted by the change from the 6th to the 25th because the pagan feast dedicated to the birth of the sun was not celebrated there. Additionally, the Armenian church is not a satellite of the Roman Catholic Church so they decided to continue celebrating Christmas on January 6th. So with that, Merry Christmas (again)!

Car insurance can be confusing. There's no denying that. Understanding the basics will help ensure you make good decisions regarding your coverage. Let's start with the difference between comprehensive and collision coverage. Collision Insurance covers damage to your vehicle in the event of an accident involving a collision with another vehicle. This may include repairs or a full replacement of your covered vehicle. Situations this type of insurance will cover include: Your... car hits an object, such as a tree Your car collides with another vehicle Your car rolls over Your car is damaged due to hitting a pothole Comprehensive car insurance pays for damage to your vehicle caused by events such as theft, vandalism, or hail, which are not collision-related. Situations this type of insurance will cover include: An object falls on your car, such as a tree An animal collides with your car Your car is damaged due to fire or natural disaster Your car is vandalized or stolen NOTE: All policies are different so you'll want to study the nuances to understand what's offered to you and what best suits your needs.

The Supreme Court of the United States just added a new justice so now is a great time for a refresher on who serves on the highest court in the country. How many justices can you name? 1 John G. Roberts, Jr., Chief Justice of the United States 2 Clarence Thomas, Associate Justice 3 Stephen G. Breyer, Associate Justice... 4 Samuel A. Alito, Jr., Associate Justice 5 Sonia Sotomayor, Associate Justice 6 Elena Kagan, Associate Justice 7 Neil M. Gorsuch, Associate Justice 8 Brett M. Kavanaugh, Associate Justice 9 Amy Coney Barrett, Associate Justice See more

From our family to yours, the YMPK team wishes you a very merry Christmas spent with family and friends.

Why YMPK Law Group, LLP? What sets us apart from the vast number of law firms in California? The answer is quite simple - unsurpassed expertise and a personal approach to every case. At YMPK, we don't take a case and then pass it off to an associate or paralegal. One of our named partners handles it from start to finish. You will deal directly with a YMPK partner over the course of your case who is personally invested in you and maximizing your recovery. This personal touch is rare in our field, but it ensures we serve our clients better than just about any other firm out there. In fact, our business has largely been built off of referrals because our clients are so happy with our approach and the outcomes we achieve for them. Give us a call any time and we'll show you exactly how we go above and beyond.

Continuing our series on California ballot measures, let's talk proposition 25. This measure is a referendum asking voters to approve or reject a law passed by the state legislature in 2018 that abolishes cash bail in California. The law gives judges wide discretion to decide who can be released prior to trial. Defendants deemed to be a danger to the community could be held under a policy known as "preventive detention." A YES vote on this measure means: No one would pay ba...il to be released from jail before trial. Instead, people would either be released automatically or based on their assessed risk of committing another crime or not appearing in court if released. No one would be charged fees as a condition of release. A NO vote on this measure means: Some people would continue to pay bail to be released from jail before trial. Other people could continue to be released without paying bail. Fees may continue to be charged as a condition of release. So, let's hear it. should cash bail be part of the process or should it be eliminated?

When California passed AB 5, it turned the state's economy upside down in an attempt to determine the correct employment status for an estimated 1 million Californians working in the gig economy. Well, the ballot we will see on Tuesday, November 3, includes a proposition to amend AB 5, specifically as it relates to ride-share drivers. Proposition 22 will designate ride-share drivers as independent contractors. The proposition is written in a way that offers ride-share drivers... the following benefits: Drivers would be guaranteed an hourly wage for time spent driving that is slightly above the state minimum wage A monthly health insurance stipend for some drivers, based on the hours they work per week New medical and disability benefits if a driver is injured while driving New rules pertaining to rest periods, sexual harassment, and criminal background checks. Per the ballot itself: A YES vote on this measure means: App-based rideshare and delivery companies could hire drivers as independent contractors. Drivers could decide when, where, and how much to work but would not get standard benefits and protections that businesses must provide employees. A NO vote on this measure means: App-based rideshare and delivery companies would have to hire drivers as employees if the courts say that a recent state law makes drivers employees. Drivers would have less choice about when, where, and how much to work but would get standard benefits and protections that businesses must provide employees. How do you feel about Proposition 22?

More rules and regulations are hitting companies with offices in California. On September 30, 2020, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed California Senate Bill 973 into law which will require private California employers will 100 or more employees to annually submit pay data to the Department of Fair Employment and Housing. Employers will have to organize data on compensation and hours worked according to gender, race, ethnicity, and job category. The law goes into effect on January 1, 2021, and employers will have an annual deadline of March 31 to submit the data. As with most new California laws, most of the rules and instructions have not yet been written despite the fact that the law goes into effect in less than 3 months. Do you see this new law as a positive or negative for the state of California?

That's for California voters to decide next month as the state of California is proposing to expand the age requirements connected to voting. Proposition 18 seeks to amend the California constitution to permit 17-year-olds to vote in primary and special elections if they will turn 18 by the next general election and be otherwise eligible to vote. A YES vote on this measure means eligible 17-year-olds who will be 18 years old by the time of the next general election may vote... in the primary election and any special elections preceding the general election. A NO vote on this measure means no one younger than 18 years of age may vote in any election. What do you think? Will you be voting yes or no on proposition 18 and why?

Should a person on parole be allowed to vote? As of now, a person who serves a prison sentence and is released on parole is not able to vote until the time of parole has been completed. It is estimated that the ban on parolees voting in elections affects about 40K Californians. A YES vote on Proposition 17 means people on state parole who are U.S. citizens, residents of California, and at least 18 years of age would be able to vote if they register to vote. A NO vote on Proposition 17 means people on state parole would continue to be unable to vote in California.

Part III of our series on the history of Artsakh focuses on the Karabakh War which took place from 1991 to 1994. There is a lot of misinformation out there regarding this war and many are not aware of its most significant events. Please feel free to share and educate others. Despite the Nagorno Karabakh Republic's victory in this war, a peace deal was never achieved and Azerbaijan never formally accepted and acknowledged the right of freedom and autonomy of the people of Artsakh. Since the 1994 ceasefire went into effect, Azerbaijan has violated it on numerous occasions, doing so again for the last 2+ weeks.

Continuing our series on the history of Artsakh, let's dive into one of the most controversial eras in the region, the Soviet era. It was during the Soviet era that the modern-day conflict over Artsakh developed and set the course for the bloodshed we see today.

As the war between Armenia and Azerbaijan continues to escalate, we are disappointed in the worldwide media coverage and lack of credible information as it relates to the history of Artsakh and what is currently happening in this region of the world. Over the next few days, we will be sharing information about Artsakh, a history of the conflict, and why Azerbaijan must cease its aggression and unwarranted violence against the civilians that have lived in this region for thousands of years. Our first part of the series summarizes the period prior to the USSR's full involvement in the conflict. Please feel free to join in the conversation and remember that sharing credible information about this conflict is one of the most important ways to ensure the world takes notice and Azerbaijan ends its attempt at ethnic cleansing.

In the state of California, there is a 2-year statute of limitations for car accident claims which starts the moment the accident occurs. After this time limit passes, you are no longer able to file a lawsuit or insurance claim related to the accident. There are some exceptions to this rule but your best bet is to address all things related to a car accident within this 2-year period.

Why is uninsured motorist coverage so important? Because every time you leave your driveway, more than 1 in 10 drivers in California are driving without insurance. According to the Insurance Research Council (IRC), California is home to an estimated 15.2% of drivers that are considered uninsured. Uninsured motorist coverage protects you if you are in an accident with one of the 15%. It is an add-on to a standard auto policy and pays for injuries to the policyholder and passen...gers, and in some instances for damage to property, if the other driver is legally responsible for the accident but uninsured. In the state of California, it is a required component of your auto policy. Remember that YMPK can review your auto insurance policy to ensure you are adequately covered and protected. Topics like uninsured motorist coverage can be confusing. Don't hesitate to reach out should you have any questions.

The 2020 general election is just under a month away. And while the presidential race is deserving of the spotlight it is receiving, there are many important ballot measures that Californians must consider as well. Over the next few weeks, we’ll highlight some of them for your consideration. Let's start with proposition 16. Should race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin be used in employment or admissions decisions related to public education, public employment, and p...ublic contracting, in the state of California? That is the question California voters will be answering when they go to the polls on November 3. In 1996, Proposition 209 outlawed these considerations. Voting YES on proposition 16 means state and local entities CAN consider race, sex, color, ethnicity, and national origin in public education, public employment, and public contracting to the extent allowed under federal and state law. Voting NO on proposition means state and local entities CANNOT consider race, sex, color, ethnicity, and national origin in public education, public employment, and public contracting.

Taking a quick break from the legal tips and education to shoutout the real MVP at YMPK...coffee. Happy International Coffee Day!