Drink Tickets to Make a Comeback in the 2014 Holiday Party Season

• Jurisdiction: California,United States
• Author: By Shirish Gupta
• Publication year: 2014
• Citation: Vol. 20 No. 1

Drink Tickets to Make a Comeback in the 2014 Holiday Party Season

By Shirish Gupta

Principal of Flashpoint Law, Gupta has been practicing law since 1999. He is a 4-time Super Lawyer and has received such accolades as NAPABA's Best Lawyers Under 40 award, Southern California's Top Rated Lawyers and AV Preeminent Rated Lawyer. Shirish is the Chair-Elect of the California State Bar Solo and Small Firm Section Executive Committee and a frequent speaker on litigation strategy, IP, mediation strategy, litigation management, law firm management and marketing.

Company holiday parties are likely to be a bit less "festive" this year as courts come down on parties with open bars and unlimited drinks.

On July 31, 2013, the California Court of Appeal was the latest to hold that an employer may be liable if its employee gets intoxicated at a company party, makes it home safely and then injures a third party. Yes, you read correctly, the employer may be liable for actions taken by a drunk employee after he's safely home. With this ruling, California joins Oregon, Washington and Hawaii.

THE FACTS

Just like most American companies, the San Diego Marriott del Mar hotel holds a holiday party for its employees. And like most holiday parties, alcohol is...