Transactions
Well-drafted agreements prevent disputes before they start. We help small businesses, entrepreneurs, and employers structure relationships and transactions clearly, so every party knows exactly what they’ve agreed to.
See our guide to Buying or Selling a Business →
Documents We Draft & Review
Every agreement we draft is written with litigation in mind — because we’re the attorneys who handle the disputes when agreements fail.
Ownership & Governance
Operating, partnership, and shareholder agreements — including buy-sell provisions, valuation methods, and deadlock-breaking terms.
Commercial Agreements
Vendor, services, and supply agreements, plus NDAs and confidentiality agreements that protect your information and relationships.
Property & Licensing
Commercial leases and licensing agreements, reviewed for the terms that matter when circumstances change.
Workforce Agreements
Offer letters, employee handbooks, independent contractor agreements, and severance agreements tailored to California law.
How a Contract Review Works
Send Us the Agreement
Share the draft and tell us what matters most to you — price, timeline, exit rights, or something else.
We Flag the Risks
We identify the terms that could cost you later and explain them in plain English.
We Redline or Negotiate
We mark up the agreement or negotiate directly with the other side, so you sign with confidence.
Common Questions About Contracts & Transactions
Should I have a lawyer review a contract before I sign it?
Yes — especially the indemnity, limitation-of-liability, termination, attorney’s fees, and dispute-resolution clauses. These terms decide who pays when something goes wrong. In California, a one-sided attorney’s fees clause is generally treated as running both ways (Civil Code § 1717), so it’s worth understanding exactly what you’re agreeing to.
Are non-compete agreements enforceable in California?
Generally, no. Business and Professions Code § 16600 voids most non-compete agreements, and since 2024 California employers may not enter into or attempt to enforce them. The main exceptions apply to the sale of a business or the dissolution of, or departure from, a partnership or LLC (§§ 16601–16602.5).
What should our operating or partnership agreement include?
Clear ownership and voting rules, capital contribution obligations, restrictions on transferring ownership, a buy-sell provision with a defined valuation method, and a mechanism to break deadlocks. Missing buy-sell and deadlock terms are among the most common causes of the owner disputes we handle.
What paperwork does California require when we hire employees?
At a minimum: a compliant offer letter, the Labor Code § 2810.5 wage notice for non-exempt employees, and written policies covering meal and rest breaks, overtime, and timekeeping. Getting these right at the start is far less costly than correcting them after a claim.
This page provides general information, not legal advice for any particular situation. Contact us to discuss your circumstances.