Business

Our attorneys have extensive experience representing entrepreneurs, start-up companies, family business owners, partnerships, individuals, and borrowers, among others. Our attorneys have the intellect, skill, judgment and experience to handle large, sophisticated transactions, but are equally adept and comfortable with smaller and more routine matters, for which our clients come to us because of our ability to add value by working pragmatically and cost-effectively.

We pride ourselves on understanding our clients’ businesses, focusing on our clients’ objectives, responding rapidly to our clients’ needs, and providing the level of service appropriate in each circumstance. Whether structuring a transaction, conducting a difficult negotiation, or handling a day-to-day matter, we strive to produce the best result possible for our clients at a reasonable cost. Our areas of expertise include:

• Entity formation

• Corporate Governance

• Business Planning

• Contracts and leases

• Tax planning

• Litigation

Working with emerging companies and family businesses is an important part of our practice. Our work with entrepreneurial clients often begins with an analysis of the type of entity best suited to meet client objectives. Then we assist clients in the initial formation of the venture, including agreements among founders, vendor and customer agreements, documentation for the transfer of property, and an assessment of intellectual property matters.

After forming the business entity, we work with clients in the ongoing management of their business, including debt and equity agreements, licensing, manufacturing and distribution agreements; leases; license agreements; employment agreements; and business acquisition agreements.

We have a long tradition of serving the legal needs of business clients on California’s North Coast. Business counseling involves knowledge in a multitude of legal disciplines in which we have tremendous experience. We attempt to structure fee arrangements that balance a client’s needs with its resources.