The AM Sidebar

Think every firing is illegal? Think again. In this episode of Punching the Clock, employment attorneys Mila Arutunian and Nick De Blouw break down one of the most misunderstood areas of California employment law: wage and hour claims, PAGA lawsuits, arbitration agreements, class actions, and employee rights. Learn how meal and rest break violations happen, what employers are legally required to p...

In this episode of Split Decisions, veteran California family law attorneys Tim Miranda and Carlos Tavares argue both sides of a high-conflict custody dispute involving parental alienation, reunification therapy, child custody rights, and the wishes of a teenage child. A 14-year-old boy refuses all contact with his father. The father believes the child's mother has alienated their son against...

Should you stay in a marriage after domestic violence? Or leave before it’s too late? In this emotional episode of Ask Ilona, certified family law specialist Ilona Antonyan responds to a heartbreaking question from a woman trapped in a long-term abusive marriage. After years of emotional abuse, control, intimidation, and eventually strangulation, the listener is torn between leaving her husband or...

Most people think police officers and other government employees have more legal protections because they work for the state. The truth is far more complicated. In this episode of Punching the Clock, we uncover the hidden realities of law enforcement employment rights with former officer Hector Bravo. From compelled statements and workplace interrogations to warrantless searches, retaliation, and...

When does toxic behavior in a marriage become domestic abuse. And when does the evidence fall short of a restraining order? In this episode of Split Decisions, veteran family law attorneys Tim Miranda and Carlos Tavares face off in a high-stakes mock trial debate over one of the most emotionally charged issues in family court: domestic violence restraining orders. The case involves a couple marrie...

Can hiding money during a divorce affect child custody? In this episode of Split Decisions, veteran family law attorneys Tim Miranda and Carlos Tavares battle it out in a mock courtroom debate over one explosive custody dispute: a divorced father wants more parenting time, but the mother alleges he secretly hid income from a side consulting business and took the children out of state without permi...

Workplace gossip may sound harmless, but under California law, it can quickly become harassment, retaliation, discrimination, and a major legal liability. In the debut episode of Punching the Clock, employment attorney Mila Arutunian breaks down how toxic workplace rumors can create hostile work environments, destroy reputations, and trigger costly lawsuits for employers. Using real-world cases an...

Marijuana may be legal in California, but that does NOT automatically mean your job is protected. In this episode of Punching the Clock on The AM Sidebar Podcast, employment attorney Mila Arutunian breaks down the complicated intersection of marijuana laws, workplace rights, employee protections, drug testing policies, and employer responsibilities in California. As more states legalize recreation...

A 13-year-old is exploring gender identity in therapy—but when discussions turn toward potential medical decisions, a custody battle erupts. In this episode of Split Decisions, two veteran family law attorneys go head-to-head over a high-stakes legal question: Can a minor keep therapy confidential from a parent, or does joint custody give both parents full access? Both parents support their child’...

What happens when a child refuses to have a relationship with a parent after infidelity?  In this first episode of Ask Ilona on The AM Sidebar Podcast by Antonyan Miranda , certified family law specialist Ilona Antonyan answers a powerful question from a divorced father navigating the emotional fallout of betrayal, custody, and parenting.  After discovering her mother’s affair, an 11-year-old daug...

What happens when you follow every immigration rule… and still get arrested? In this episode of Punching the Clock for The AM Sidebar, Vika and Louis share their unbelievable true story. After fleeing Ukraine during the war, Vika legally entered the U.S., fell in love, got married, and began the green card process. Everything was going according to plan—until ICE agents walked into her immigration...

What happens when a child becomes the breadwinner?  In Part 2 of Influencer Wars , the debate shifts from control to cash. A 15-year-old influencer is generating hundreds of thousands of dollars per month through brand deals, sponsored posts, and fan gifts — more than both parents combined. The father wants child support reduced. The mother argues the income belongs solely to the child.  So who’s...

When a 15-year-old becomes a six-figure-a-month influencer, who gets to decide what happens next? In this episode of Split Decisions , veteran family law attorneys Tim Miranda and Carlos Tavares argue both sides of a modern custody battle that’s becoming more common in today’s digital world. The case: A teenage girl has built a wildly successful social media brand. Her mother manages the account a...

What if a computer—not your boss—is already making decisions about your job? From AI-powered hiring tools that quietly screen out candidates, to algorithm-driven performance reviews and employee surveillance software, artificial intelligence is reshaping the modern workplace—often without employees ever knowing it’s happening. In this episode of Punching the Clock , employment attorney Mila Arutun...

When a child is thriving with grandparents during a family crisis, does stability outweigh a biological parent’s right to custody? In this episode of Split Decisions , veteran family law attorneys Tim Miranda and Carlos Tavares go head-to-head in a mock family court battle over a deeply emotional question. An eight-year-old child has spent the past year living with his grandparents while his mothe...