Employment Attorney in Oakland, CA

OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- More than half a decade since the start of the pandemic, Oakland's Jack London Square has still yet to recover.

Currently, more than 50% of all the ground floor space in the square is sitting empty.

But a new law taking effect next year may change that by relaxing restrictions on the types of businesses the Port of Oakland can lease to.

"Current restrictions limit the leasing of property at Jack London Square, and so we can't have things like a grocery store, or a cafe," said the law's author, State Sen. Jesse Arreguin.

On Tuesday night, only a few people were out in the area.

MORE: New California laws going into effect in 2026 impact tortillas, streaming services and more

Besides the new law, local businesses hope the addition of a Dave and Buster's expected to open in February will increase foot traffic.

"I think that'll attract younger students, families, teenagers, and help spread the word about Jack London," said restaurant employee Vivien Ly.

It's not just businesses who want to see Jack London Square revitalized, people who live around the area also feel similarly.

"More jobs, more entertainment. People know of it everywhere and then people will come!" said LaVerne Williams.

While out on the waterfront, we met LaVerne Williams and her sister Natalie.

MORE: Oakland's historic Waterfront Hotel closing, businesses in Jack London Square to be impacted

The pair were born and raised in Oakland and say the neighborhood's vibe is not the same as it was even a few years ago.

"A lot of businesses have folded up and left. It's still so pretty. It's on the water. And I feel like the businesses here will expand if rezoned," said Natalie Williams.

The relaxation of the zoning rules is scheduled to last for 40 years.

And Arreguin, says he's hopeful it'll help revitalize not just Jack London Square but also the city as a whole.

"The status quo is not working, and we need to remove obstacles to opening businesses, to building housing to getting things done that are so important for our state," said Arreguin.

Oakland, CA – On the evening of Saturday, January 3, 2026, a multi-vehicle traffic collision on Interstate 580 westbound near the Lakeshore Avenue off-ramp resulted in at least one fatality, according to CHP Fatal.

The California Highway Patrol reports that the collision was first logged at approximately 8:04 PM and initially involved three vehicles. Subsequent updates indicated that two vehicles had overturned, with at least one vehicle striking a concrete wall.

Dispatch logs describe a black four-door sedan coming to rest in the center divider, while a gray Tesla was reported to be involved with another unknown vehicle. Multiple lanes were blocked as a result of disabled and overturned vehicles, causing significant traffic disruption.

At approximately 8:06 PM, the incident was reclassified from a traffic collision with unknown injuries to a hit-and-run with injuries. CHP later reported that a black Nissan, possibly an Altima, was suspected of speeding prior to colliding with two other vehicles.

A female occupant was reported trapped inside one of the vehicles and unable to exit on her own. Emergency responders and towing services were dispatched, and traffic management resources were activated to assist with scene control and monitoring.

By 8:49 PM, all westbound lanes of Interstate 580 east of Lakeshore Avenue were closed under a SIGALERT as emergency crews worked the scene. CHP requested the coroner shortly before 9:00 PM, and access for coroner personnel was coordinated via the 14th Avenue on-ramp.

The identity of the deceased had not been released as of the latest CHP log entries. The cause of the collision remains under investigation.

The compensation provided by a Wrongful Death claim can financially support families grieving the loss of a loved one due to another person’s negligence. These funds can go toward hospital bills, burial expenses, and help support any dependents of the deceased.

In cases where the at-fault party escapes justice, families may still be able to pursue compensation through their own uninsured driver coverage. A personal injury attorney can offer guidance on what options they may have available and negotiate with insurance companies to ensure that victims receive the best settlement possible.

Oakland, CA -The City of Oakland successfully priced a total of $334 million of General Obligation bonds on December 4, 2025. This milestone provides access to capital funding that will be used by City departments to deliver paved roads, restored public facilities, and investments in affordable housing.

“Oakland is on the move and building momentum with this bond sale. We are reviving access to funding for paving our streets, restoring public facilities we all use and depend upon, and investing in affordable housing for our community, all while maintaining transparency and fiscal discipline,” Mayor Barbara Lee said. “These bonds represent our City’s continued commitment to sound financial management and responsible investment in Oakland’s future. Together, we are strengthening our foundation for generations to come. I’m grateful to our partners in the City Council for their leadership and support, and to City Administrator Jestin Johnson for driving this process and ensuring we brought it home.”

$285 million of the bonds support new projects and $49 million of the bonds refund existing bonds for debt service savings. The City’s bond offering was well received with strong investor demand. Investors placed $638 million in orders for the $334 million of bonds offered by the City. There was broad investor demand with 26 separate investment firms placing orders. The oversubscription ultimately allowed the City to lower the final interest rates offered to investors and reduce the City’s borrowing cost.

There was both a tax-exempt portion and a taxable portion for the bond offering, reflecting the various uses of the bond proceeds. The $143.5 million of tax-exempt bonds have a 30-year final maturity and received an all-in borrowing cost of 3.99%. The $191 million of taxable bonds have a 24-year final maturity and received an all-in borrowing cost of 5.55%. The $49 million in tax-exempt bonds that refinance existing obligations of the City resulted in $5.6 million of debt service savings for taxpayers through 2039, or $4.7 million on a present value basis.

The new money bonds will fund affordable housing, roadway safety and infrastructure improvements, and renovations to parks, libraries, senior centers, and other public facilities under the City’s Measure U Authorization. In September, the City Council approved the sale of these bonds along with a list of projects and programs that will receive the funds. The full list is available online (Resolution 90850 C.M.S.) – highlights include:

“We deeply appreciate the work of our finance team and underwriting partners who help position Oakland as a trustworthy investment and vibrant, resilient City,” City Administrator Jestin Johnson said. “An incredible team of City professionals and partner firms went above and beyond to make this happen, and I want to recognize them by name for their invaluable contributions.” They include:

City Administrator Johnson also thanked PFM Financial Advisors LLC serving as municipal advisor, and the Oakland-based firm Siebert Williams Shank & Co., LLC serving as the Senior Manager along with Loop Capital Markets, LLC and BofA Securities, Inc. as co-managers for their remarkable support and professional services that enabled the sale.

What’s Next:

Pricing marks the point at which the City and investors locked in the final dollar amounts, interest rates, and other key terms of the bond sale. This stage is commonly referred to as the sale date. At pricing, no funds are exchanged. The actual delivery of bonds and receipt of monies occurs at closing, which is scheduled within the next two weeks.

Capital projects receiving this funding will proceed on individual timelines based on their individual conditions and needs. At the time of closing, funding will be immediately available to those projects.

Change aims to improve parking availability and traffic flow during high-use times

Oakland, Calif. — December 15, 2025 — City of Oakland parking meters will soon be enforced citywide on Sundays from noon to 6 p.m. as part of a larger effort to improve parking access and better support the business community. The change goes into effect Jan. 4 starting with a 30-day warning period.

Free Sunday parking has historical ties to outdated blue laws, which prohibited business activities on Sundays to promote rest and religious observance. Today, Sundays are among the busiest days for businesses such as restaurants, shops and entertainment venues. Updating meter hours helps ensure parking is available when demand is the highest, including weekends.

Parking metering promotes turnover, which helps ensure that high-demand areas have available spaces for visitors — ideally one or two spaces per block. Without metering, drivers often leave their vehicles for an extended period of time, limiting access to high-demand areas for other people.

“This change will improve parking availability for everyone and provide better access to the spaces that make Oakland great,” said Josh Rowan, Director of Oakland Department of Transportation (OakDOT). “Our business community will also benefit from Sunday metering because it encourages parking turnover, allowing more customers to visit these establishments.”

During the 30-day warning period, registered vehicle owners will receive a mailed warning for their first violation. Any repeat violations during this period will result in a citation. After the warning period ends, all violations will result in a citation, including first offenses.

The additional revenue from increased parking meter operations will go toward the City’s general fund, which supports public safety, keeping streets clean, youth services and more.

In 2013, the Oakland City Council adopted parking principles for the City's commercial districts, committing to actively manage parking to support Oakland's economy and business community. Since then, OakDOT has implemented several initiatives to fulfill that promise.

For example, OakDOT extended parking enforcement from late afternoon into evening hours when parking activity often peaks, especially on weekends. This extended enforcement promotes parking availability and turnover, ensuring more customers can access Oakland businesses.

In 2023, the City also launched a successful Sunday metering pilot program around Lake Merritt, which attracts thousands of people on weekends who visit the area and nearby businesses. Meters around the lake now operate from noon to 8 p.m. on Sundays, improving parking availability in this high-traffic area. Actively managing parking means meter rates and hours are changed to achieve about 85% occupancy or one free space for every ten spaces that are parked.

###

About the Oakland Department of Transportation (OakDOT)

OakDOT is responsible for envisioning, planning, building, operating and maintaining a transportation system for the City of Oakland and assures safe, equitable, and sustainable access and mobility for residents, businesses and visitors. OakDOT’s Strategic Plan guides the department’s work, and is structured around four pillars: Equity, Safety, Sound Infrastructure, and Responsible Governance.

OAKLAND, CA – The City of Oakland has appointed Chuck Baker as its newest Assistant City Administrator, where he will oversee economic development, workforce development, business attraction, and information technology and innovation. His hire is effective December 20.

Baker previously served as Assistant City Manager for the City of Santa Clara, overseeing Levi’s Stadium, the Santa Clara Convention Center, Discover Santa Clara, and the City’s Information Technology Department. In Santa Clara, he helped negotiate landmark agreements for major events including Super Bowl LX and the FIFA World Cup 2026, strengthened city operations, improved revenue performance, advanced critical capital upgrades, modernized citywide IT systems, and launched innovative new marketing and sponsorship initiatives. He also played a key role in resolving long-standing legal disputes related to Levi’s Stadium operations.

He brings more than twenty years of private-sector experience across technology, entrepreneurship, and multinational corporations. Baker has founded two startups and has been part of two successful exits, giving him firsthand experience in building teams, scaling products, and navigating complex business environments. As a small-business owner, he has managed operations, finance, and growth strategy directly, providing a practical understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing local enterprises. His corporate background includes senior leadership roles at Microsoft, Wells Fargo, and Procter & Gamble, where he led initiatives in business development, community investment, innovation, and global brand management.

Baker also brings deep Bay Area roots and a strong track record of regional leadership over the past decade. His community involvement includes serving as a Commissioner on the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Joint Powers Authority, Board Chairman of the 100 Black Men of the Bay Area, and a Board Trustee of the Home Builders Institute, a national leader in workforce development.

In Oakland, Baker will support a coordinated strategy focused on infrastructure investment, innovation-driven business attraction, modernized information technology, small-business growth, public-private partnerships, and workforce pathways that expand opportunity and strengthen long-term community and economic vitality.

"Our work to deliver for Oakland residents and businesses continues to gain real momentum, and today's announcement marks another important step forward," Mayor Barbara Lee said. "Chuck Baker brings deep leadership experience and a proven track record to our commitment to building an economy with room for everyone - an economy where the people who keep communities running - teachers, healthcare workers, small business owners, artists, technicians - can actually afford to live and thrive here. With Mr. Baker joining us as Assistant City Administrator, we're strengthening our capacity to deliver real improvements and strong services for Oakland's residents and businesses."

Baker said he is honored to serve Oakland in Mayor Lee’s administration and is committed to advancing initiatives that expand opportunity, support local communities, and improve the quality of life for all residents.

Baker joins and strengthens the City Administrator's team of Assistant City Administrators, which also includes Michelle Phillips and Betsy Lake.