The Law Offices of Young Wooldridge, LLP would like to congratulate Partner Larry R. Cox, for the receipt of a Martindale-Hubbell ‘AV’ Rating. The ‘AV’ rating is the highest peer-review designation, only earned by a small percentage of attorneys, and recognizes that individual for the highest levels of skill, integrity, legal ability, and adherence to accepted professional standards of ethics. Mr. Cox, a partner with Young Wooldridge since 1983, leads the estate and probate department. He specializes in estate planning, probate law, and probate litigation including the contesting of wills and trusts.

The Law Offices of Young Wooldridge, LLP is pleased to announce the addition of Attorney Doug Gosling. His primary areas of practice are water law and business and commercial litigation. Mr. Gosling litigates cases in federal and state courts for business entities and individuals dealing with water rights, public agency issues, commercial litigation, and complex real property transactions.

Mr. Gosling received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Hawaii, where he was a three-time Scholar Athlete. He competed on the conference championship UH Warriors football team and was named WAC Academic All-Conference. He went on to earn his Juris Doctorate at the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law where he received honors in Trial Advocacy and Natural Resources—he was admitted to the California State Bar in 2007. Mr. Gosling is the past Chair of the KCBA Young Lawyers Section and is involved in numerous community organizations including The Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Bakersfield Program and the Kern County Superintendent of Schools’ Mock Trial Program.

The Law Offices of Young Wooldridge, LLP welcomes Allison Stokes as the new Director of Public Relations and Marketing. She brings over six years of marketing and management experience in the Kern County and Central Coast communities.

Ms. Stokes attended Garces Memorial High School and earned a degree in Business Administration from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, with a concentration in Marketing Management. Ms. Stokes is a member of Alpha Chi Omega Sorority, where she served as Assistant Vice President of Recruitment and also was an active member of the National Panhellenic Conference. Additionally, Ms. Stokes was a charter member of Bakersfield’s BNI Network Elite chapter and served as lead coordinator for the organization’s First Annual Visitors Invitational.

Every year, Congress passes proposed bills into new laws. Most of these laws become effective January 1st, 2013 which makes that a very important date for employers. We at Young Wooldridge make every effort to ensure that our clients and friends have all of the latest information they need to protect their businesses and employees. This employment law update will not only educate you on 2013 changes, but will also take a look back on 2012 and address some of the changes you may have missed, with topics including: an employer’s duty to provide meal and rest periods; health benefits for employees on pregnancy disability leave; and penalties for the willful misclassification of independent contractors.

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The Law Offices of Young Wooldridge, LLP is pleased to announce that Attorney Jeffrey J. Patrick has accepted a position in our Business Department.  Mr. Patrick is currently working in the firm’s labor and employment defense practice.  He attended Stockdale High School and California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, where he graduated cum laude with a bachelor of arts in English. Mr. Patrick earned his juris doctorate from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law and was admitted to the California State Bar in 2012. While at McGeorge, Mr. Patrick earned Witkin Awards for Academic Excellence in Professional Responsibility, Property Law, Evidence, and Bankruptcy.  Mr. Patrick was also awarded the American Bankruptcy Medal of Excellence by the American Bankruptcy Institute. He graduated in the top of his class at McGeorge and was inducted into the Order of the Coif and the Traynor Honor Society