The SCV Law and Life Podcast

In this episode of The SCV Law and Life Podcast, host Mason Rashtian sits down with Alexis James, Managing Partner of WorkWise Law, to break down what California employers must know in 2026 to stay compliant and avoid costly litigation.Alexis, a seasoned employment and labor defense attorney with over 20 years of experience, explains when businesses should involve an employment lawyer, common compliance mistakes employers make, and why proactive legal planning is far less expensive than fixing problems after a claim or audit begins.The conversation dives deep into timely issues including:- How AI is changing hiring practices and creating new legal exposure for employers- Employee misclassification risks, including exempt vs. non-exempt employees- Wage and hour compliance, meal and rest break violations, and PAGA exposure- EDD audits, independent contractor pitfalls, and record-keeping requirements- Workplace boundaries, harassment prevention, and modern office culture- Practical advice for small to mid-size California businessesAlexis also shares real-world examples from her practice, insights into evolving employment laws, and personal reflections on career, family, and work-life balance.This episode is essential listening for California business owners, HR professionals, managers, and entrepreneurs who want to reduce risk, stay compliant, and protect their businesses before problems arise.

In this episode of The SCV Law & Life Podcast, host Mason Rashtian sits down with attorney Samuel Birdsong, an experienced estate planning and trust law attorney with a unique background in both law and finance.Samuel brings a holistic approach to estate planning, combining his legal expertise with years of experience in life insurance, investment advising, and compliance. Together, they break down complex topics like trusts, wills, probate, and asset protection in a way that is easy to understand and practical for real-life situations.The conversation explores:

• When you actually need a trust (and when you don’t)
• How to avoid probate and common mistakes families make
• Why beneficiary designations matter more than most people think
• Essential estate planning documents everyone should have
• The importance of powers of attorney and healthcare directives
• How life planning changes when you become a homeowner or parent

Samuel also shares insights from real cases that highlight how small oversights in planning can create major legal complications, and how proactive planning can protect your family and legacy.Whether you're a homeowner, parent, or simply planning for the future, this episode delivers clear, practical guidance on how to make smarter estate planning decisions.

In this episode of the SCV Law & Life Podcast, Mason Rashtian sits down with William “Bill” Marler, managing partner of Marler Clark and widely recognized as the nation’s leading attorney in foodborne illness litigation.Bill discusses how a landmark 1993 E. coli outbreak linked to Jack in the Box shaped the future of food safety in America — leading to nationwide policy changes and improved food testing standards. He shares insight into current outbreaks, including recent Listeria cases, and explains how pathogens like E. coli, Salmonella, Shigella, and Campylobacter continue to impact millions of people every year.We also talk about:- How outbreaks are traced and proven using genetic fingerprinting- Why ready-to-eat products like bagged salads can be high-risk- Practical steps families can take to reduce foodborne illness risk at home- The emotional impact of representing families affected by preventable outbreaksIf you are interested in public health, food systems, policy reform, or consumer protection, this is a conversation you should not miss.

In this episode of The SCV Law & Life Podcast, Santa Clarita Valley personal injury attorney Mason Rashtian (https://mrscvlaw.com) sits down with employment and HR attorney Jacqueline Wagner, president of Wagner HR, to discuss the legal risks employers often overlook, and how small decisions can lead to massive lawsuits.With over 26 years of experience advising employers, Jacqueline explains why retaliation claims are one of the biggest dangers businesses face after an employee complaint. She breaks down the legal duty to investigate discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims, and why using an inexperienced internal investigator can destroy your legal defense.The discussion covers a real case where a company faced a multi-million-dollar verdict due to a flawed internal investigation, and how employers can avoid the same mistake.If you own a business, manage employees, or work in HR, this episode explains how proper investigations, training, and policies protect you before problems escalate into litigation.In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The biggest mistake employers make after a complaint
• Why retaliation claims are so dangerous
• When you must start a workplace investigation
• Internal vs. external investigators — what courts actually care about
• How investigations create an affirmative legal defense
• The role of employee handbooks and training in preventing lawsuits
• Why “my employees love me” is not legal protection

Whether you run a small business or a large company, this episode provides practical legal guidance to help you avoid costly employment lawsuits.📞 Contact Jacqueline Wagner:🌐 www.wagnerhr.com📧Email: [email protected] can reach us at The Mason Law Firm: (661) 476-5678Please visit our website at https://www.mrscvlaw.com

In this episode of The SCV Law & Life Podcast, host Mason Rashtian (https://mrscvlaw.com) sits down with digital marketing pioneer Tony Guarnaccia, founder of Guestify and AIVZ, to explore how authority is built and recognized in today’s AI-driven world.Tony shares insights from decades of experience working with Fortune 500 companies like Google, Ford, and ADP, and explains how the rules of SEO, digital advertising, and branding are rapidly evolving with the rise of AI platforms like ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity.The conversation dives into:- How AI determines who shows up in search results- Why “authority isn’t created—it’s transferred”- The importance of podcasts, interviews, and relationships in building credibility- How tools like AIVZ and Guestify help professionals increase AI visibility- The future of work, personal branding, and staying relevant in an AI-dominated landscapeTony also shares his personal journey, from early entrepreneurial failures to leading innovations in SEO and digital marketing, and offers practical advice for professionals looking to stand out in a rapidly changing digital ecosystem.If you’re a business owner, attorney, or entrepreneur looking to grow your brand, increase online authority, and stay ahead of AI disruption, this episode is packed with actionable insights.Tony Guarnacciahttps://MeetTonyG.comYou can reach us at The Mason Law Firm at (661) 476-5678Please visit our website at https://www.mrscvlaw.com

In this episode of The SCV Law & Life Podcast, Mason Rashtian sits down with estate planning and special needs trust attorney Lisa Golshani for an in-depth conversation about planning for the future, protecting families, and avoiding costly mistakes.Lisa explains the key differences between wills and trusts, why trusts offer privacy and avoid probate, and how often estate plans should be reviewed. The discussion also covers essential documents every adult should have, including powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and HIPAA authorizations—even for those with modest assets or young adults over 18.A major focus of the episode is special needs trusts, an area of estate planning many attorneys do not handle. Lisa shares how these trusts help families protect children and adults with disabilities while preserving eligibility for government benefits, ensuring continuity of care, and providing long-term peace of mind.This episode is especially valuable for:- Parents with minor children- Families with special needs beneficiaries- Blended families- Anyone who owns real estate or wants to avoid probate- Adults who want to protect themselves in case of incapacity📞 Contact Lisa Golshani:(818) 334-2805🌐 www.golshanilaw.com📧 [email protected] can reach us at The Mason Law Firmwww.mrscvlaw.com(661) 476-5678

In this episode of The SCV Law and Life Podcast, host Mason Rashtian (https://mrscvlaw.com) sits down with experienced mediator and arbitrator Jeffrey Kravitz to break down the critical differences between mediation and arbitration, and why most cases never make it to trial.With decades of experience in business disputes, entertainment law, and high-stakes litigation, Jeffrey shares real-world insights into how disputes are resolved behind the scenes. He explains why mediation offers more control, how arbitration decisions carry the force of law, and why going to trial can be unpredictable, expensive, and risky.Through compelling stories, including a surprising jury outcome and a creative mediation breakthrough, this episode reveals the human psychology, negotiation strategies, and practical realities that drive case resolution.Whether you are an attorney, business owner, or someone facing a legal dispute, this conversation will help you understand:- The key differences between mediation and arbitration- Why most cases settle before trial- How to break deadlocks in negotiations- The true financial and emotional cost of litigation- When to settle—and when to fightIf you want to make smarter legal decisions and avoid costly courtroom battles, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.Jeffrey Kravitz, Esq.ARC: https://arc4adr.com/panelists/jeffrey-s-kravitz/AAA: https://adr.org/Jeffrey Kravitz Mediation: https://kravitzmediation.com/You can reach us at The Mason Law Firm at (661) 476-5678Please visit our website at https://www.mrscvlaw.com

In this episode of The SCV Law & Life Podcast, we go beyond the law with Lisa Odom, founder of ODOM Law Group and an attorney with over 21 years of experience in business law, real estate transactions, estate planning, probate, and trust administration.Lisa shares how her firm has grown from five employees to over twenty, and why combining transactional law with litigation insight helps clients avoid costly mistakes before they happen. We dive into real-world legal scenarios involving business formations, mergers and acquisitions, commercial and residential real estate, trust administration errors, and estate planning pitfalls that commonly lead to litigation.You’ll also learn:

• The #1 mistake trustees make that can reopen liability years later
• Why starting with a lawyer from day one can protect your business and assets
• How litigation experience makes for stronger contracts and estate plans
• When to involve an attorney in trust administration, probate, or real estate disputes
• Practical advice for business owners, investors, and families planning for the future

We also get to know Lisa beyond the law—talking travel, golf, culture, and why experiences matter more than things.If you’re a business owner, real estate investor, trustee, or someone planning your estate, this episode offers invaluable insight on how to protect what matters most.You can reach Lisa Odom at [email protected] Law Group(661) 367-1699www.odomlawgroup.comYou can reach us at The Mason Law Firmwww.mrscvlaw.com(661) 476-5678

In this episode of The SCV Law and Life Podcast, host Mason Rashtian sits down with veteran trial attorney Donald McGarrah, a nationally recognized litigator with decades of experience handling catastrophic personal injury, medical malpractice, and complex product liability cases.Don shares his journey into trial law, his experience working on high-stakes cases across dozens of jurisdictions, and what it takes to succeed in complex litigation. The conversation dives deep into how top trial lawyers evaluate risk, approach settlement strategy, and uncover the “true facts” that drive case outcomes.They also discuss:- The realities of handling catastrophic injury and medical malpractice cases- Differences in laws and damage caps across states- The importance of mentorship and training the next generation of lawyers- Lessons from real-life cases, including firearm-related incidents and trial experiences- Work-life balance in a demanding legal careerWhether you’re an attorney, law student, or someone interested in the legal system, this episode offers valuable insights into the world of high-level litigation and the mindset required to succeed.