Business Lawyers for Santa Clara, California
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Meet some of our Santa Clara Business Lawyers
Janice K.
Twenty-plus years experience in family law, employment law, public agency law, federal, state and local contracts drafting and review, appellate practice.
"Janice was friendly, kind and efficient. She always held my best interest in mind and was very respectful and helpful at all times. Thank you so much Janice!"
Chris D.
With over 15 years of legal experience, I was admitted to the bar in 2008 and have since cultivated a diverse legal background. My expertise spans family law, estate planning, healthcare regulatory matters, and business law. I have a particular knack for crafting meticulous contracts. My approach is client-centric, ensuring that every individual receives personalized, knowledgeable guidance tailored to their unique situation. Partner with me, and let's navigate the complexities of the law together. www.downslawla.com
"Chris is an awesome and professional attorney! I was in a hurry and it is appreciated that the prenup can be reviewed in a quick time. Strongly recommendation!"
Daniel K.
I graduated from Yale University magna cum laude, served as a Fulbright Scholar in Italy and attended UC Berkeley School of Law. In 2023, I was named a "Legal Visionary" by the Los Angeles Times. I have broad experience in corporate transactions and in serving as outside general counsel to clients. I started my legal career in Silicon Valley and Hong Kong working on large equity and debt financings and matters for private wealth clients. After returning home to Los Angeles, I advised startup companies with formations, acquisitions and day-to-day matters such as sales contracts and licensing. More recently, I have focused on data, IT and SaaS contracts for both providers and customers. My clients include NASDAQ-listed companies, a top ranked children’s hospital and local startups.
"Daniel assisted me with a project that had a relatively quick turnaround and provided thoughtful and thorough feedback. Highly recommend!"
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Laura B.
I received my undergraduate degree from Columbia University and my JD from UC Davis School of Law. I specialize in drafting, reviewing, and litigating contracts, general civil litigation, restraining orders, and family law. I have helped entrepreneurs form their business entities and grow their small businesses. This area of my practice has focused heavily on YouTubers, podcasters, and individuals creating unique online platforms. In the family law context, I have helped my clients petition for and obtain custody of their children and modify existing custody arrangements.
"I had the pleasure of working with Laura B. on some recent legal matters, and I genuinely can’t recommend her enough. From start to finish, Laura was professional, responsive, and incredibly efficient. What really stood out to me was how thorough and proactive she was — she didn’t just check the boxes, she went above and beyond to make sure everything was done properly and on time. Legal work can feel overwhelming, but Laura made the entire process smooth and stress-free. She explained everything clearly, answered all my questions promptly, and stayed one step ahead the entire way. I never had to chase her for updates — she was always on top of it, which gave me a ton of peace of mind. It’s rare to find someone who combines legal expertise with such a down-to-earth, approachable style. I felt like I was in really good hands the whole time. I’ll absolutely be working with Laura again for any legal needs that come up in the future, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her to anyone looking for a sharp, dependable, and genuinely helpful attorney."
Dawn K.
Dawn K Kennedy has been licensed to practice law since 2015, but has been an entrepreneur since 2011. She uses her extensive project management and business background to support small and mid-sized businesses with contracts, negotiations, and other matters relating to the operation of a successful business venture.
September 6, 2023
Michael C.
40+ years handling litigation matters for employers and employees, defense and prosecution of personal injury matters, CalOsha defense, prepare employment contracts, non-compete clauses, established drug policies and franchise agreements. represented banks in commercial litigation , asset retrieval matters. conducted audits of insurance company claims on behalf of employers, defended contractors in toxic tort cases, handled appeals to the insurance commissioner on workers compensation rate classification matters
September 6, 2023
Peter H.
Haber Law Firm, APC, is a transactional business law firm with a focus on small/mid-market business purchases and sales, outside general counsel, and start-up assistance for businesses in their early stages. Peter Haber started Haber Law Firm, APC after several years as a legal executive at Popcornopolis, a gourmet popcorn brand sold at groceries and stadiums nationwide. In this role, Peter served as the company’s sole in-house legal advisor as it related to all functions of the company’s operations, including dispute resolution, compliance, and employment law, to name a few. With his help and guidance, the company relocated its entire corporate and manufacturing operation, developed a new factory and warehouse, and was successfully acquired by private equity. Prior to this, Peter was a litigator and business attorney with distinguished Los Angeles litigation boutiques. Such matters included the representation of numerous businesses in litigation and in the resolution of pre-litigation disputes as well as the representation of professionals in liability defense matters, including hospitals, physicians, and brokers.
Gina O.
see resume.
Gina S.
Experienced business attorney in the field of real estate, construction, and design.
October 5, 2023
Melissa T.
Having more than ten (10) years of experience in commercial law, I have garnered both relevant in-house and law firm experience. With more than a combined seven (7) years in-house experience, I have gained valuable insight in balancing the business needs with the legal risks and applying the legal skills I have acquired to various fields. I have specific experience with SaaS, vendor contracts, customer contracts, and general marketing agreements. Moreover, my law firm background has taught me to be detail-oriented and to be an effective negotiator in all types of commercial dealings.
October 12, 2023
James D. F.
Unique Hybrid Background ➲ Deep Legal, Tech & Commercial Experience More by pure chance than design, I arrived late in life to pursue a career in law. My background spans more than 3 decades across Information Technology, entrepreneurship & the legal profession supporting my claim to being a 'Deep Generalist'. What is a 'Deep Generalist'? 'The professionals who develop into really great client advisors are deep generalists.' Quote from Warren Bennis. From 2013 I worked for established boutique property, finance & commercial law firms + an award-winning #newlaw firm of senior lawyers (formerly Nexus Law Group, now merged with Arch.law) before founding my digital law firm Blue Ocean Law Group in 2017. I also worked part-time for 2 years as a freelance online expert across all aspects of Australian Law with JustAnswer (H.Q. in San Francisco) and volunteered at the Caxton Legal Centre to give back to the community. Now I offer pro bono (free) legal assistance at my discretion. My achievements in the law are best reflected in the high number of settlements where civil litigation has been avoided, court judgements (incl. successful appeals) in my clients' favour & [90+] testimonials which can be seen on the blueocean.law [700+] page website which offers tons [585+] of both free & paid innovative legal products & resources. My personal experience as a client on the other side of legal matters affords me a unique perspective and goes some way to explaining my passion for the reinvention of the delivery of legal services. I am an early adopter of technology + gadgets, an avid reader and an animal lover. In January 2023, I joined the IAPP – International Association of Privacy Professionals and became a Certified Information Privacy Professional – United States by gaining the highly valued gold-standard ANSI-Accredited CIPP/US credential. I followed this up in August 2023, by obtaining the Certified in CyberSecurity qualification form ISC(2). Pre-Law Background From 1992 to 2002, I worked for Accenture as an IT Project Manager across APAC (including long-term project assignments in New Zealand & Singapore). I started a small business side hustle in 1997 and in 2003 I left Accenture to become a full-time entrepreneur in the transport industry. I later expanded into the mezzanine property development finance market as well as venturing into small-scale property development.Unique Hybrid Background
November 7, 2023
Boris K.
With over 10 years experience as a Real Estate Broker and an attorney, I can help you with all your residential real estate needs such as For sale by owner transactions and drafting grant deeds
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Browse Lawyers NowBusiness Legal Questions and Answers
Business
Memorandum of Understanding
California
What are the key elements to include in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)?
I am currently in the process of establishing a partnership with another business for a joint project, and we have decided to draft a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to outline our intentions and expectations. However, I am unsure about the essential components that should be included in the MoU to ensure clarity and avoid potential disputes in the future. I want to make sure that the MoU adequately covers aspects such as project scope, responsibilities, timelines, confidentiality, and dispute resolution, among others. Can you please advise me on the key elements that should be incorporated into the MoU to protect both parties' interests and foster a successful collaboration?
Paul S.
You've identified several of the key items to include - project scope, responsibilities, timelines, confidentiality, and dispute resolution. You also want to outline how ownership of the project will be split, and how profits/revenues will be split. Will you be forming an LLC to carry out the project? What will each party be contributing to the project - money? equipment? expertise? facilities? The MOU will be a solid working outline for then preparing a definitive, binding agreement - this could be a partnership agreement, a joint venture agreement, an LLC operating agreement, or something of that nature.
Business
Hold Harmless Agreement
California
Can a hold harmless agreement protect me from liability if someone is injured on my property?
I recently purchased a property with a large backyard that I plan to rent out for events such as weddings and parties. I want to ensure that I am protected from any potential lawsuits or liability if someone were to get injured during an event. I have heard about hold harmless agreements and I am wondering if having guests sign this agreement would effectively protect me from any legal consequences in the event of an injury. I want to make sure I am taking all necessary precautions to protect myself legally.
Dolan W.
Hello! Yes. A hold harmless agreement can be an effective tool to limit your liability if someone is injured on your property during an event. When crafted correctly, these agreements require guests or renters to assume responsibility for any risks associated with the event and release you from liability for injuries or damages. However, the protection offered by a hold harmless agreement is NOT absolute, as courts may view them differently depending on the jurisdiction and circumstances surrounding the injury. For example, if an injury occurs due to gross negligence or intentional misconduct on your part, such as ignoring known hazards or failing to address unsafe conditions, courts are likely to find that a hold harmless agreement does not protect you. For instance, if there is a broken step on your property that you knew about but didn’t fix, and someone is injured, the agreement might not shield you from liability. Having guests sign a hold harmless agreement is a smart step, but it should ideally be part of a broader strategy. Best of luck! Dolan
Business
Earn Out Agreement
California
Can you explain the key provisions and potential risks involved in an Earn Out Agreement?
I am currently in negotiations to sell my small business and the potential buyer has proposed an Earn Out Agreement as part of the deal. While I understand the basic concept of an earn out, I am unsure about the specific provisions that should be included in the agreement and the potential risks involved. I want to ensure that I am adequately protected and that the earn out arrangement is fair and reasonable for both parties.
Dolan W.
Hello! My name is Dolan and thank you for using contractscounsel.com! This kind of agreement can be a great way to bridge the gap if you and the buyer have different views on your business's future value, but it’s not without its headaches. Basically, it lets the buyer pay part of the sale price later, depending on how the business performs. To keep things fair, you MUST have clear rules. I think for you need to nail down what performance targets you’re using such as revenue, profit, etc., and how they’ll be calculated. Be super specific to avoid arguments. Set a timeline for the earn-out, like 2–3 years, and agree on when you’ll get paid if targets are hit. You also need protection since the buyer will run the business after the sale. You don’t want them cutting corners or making decisions that could tank your payout. If the buyer mismanages things, you’re the one who loses. I think if you have some specific actions that the buyer promises to perform that you know helps the companies stay profitable or stay legally compliant (for example), including that in the agreement makes sense. You can ask for safeguards like minimum payments, say-so in major decisions, or money held in escrow. And, of course, make sure everything’s spelled out. We can draft these agreements for you here! Best of luck!
Business
LLC
California
LLC or S-Corp?
I am starting a public speaking consulting business with one other person. Most of our work will be done virtually and do not need an office space and will not have a physical product. We do not have investors. We have received conflicting advice about whether to form a llc or an s-corp. The s-corp has been suggested by some as the best for tax purposes, but others have warned that it is much more expensive to start and harder to maintain. What would be best for our situation?
Briana C.
For a small service business with no outside investors, the LLC form probably offers you more advantages than the corporation. (For example, LLCs offer greater flexibility, fewer corporate formalities, and pass-through taxation which is especially beneficial in the early stages of an LLC if you have other income sources.) The S-Corp election does not affect your choice of entity (LLC or corporation). Either kind of entity can make the S-Corp election, which just tells the IRS how you should be taxed. You can form an LLC at the beginning and make the S-Corp election for that LLC in the future, if and when it makes sense (you will still be an LLC then, but an S-Corp for tax purposes only). The S-Corp election only makes sense to do once your net profits reach a certain level. The purpose of the S-Corp election is to reduce your taxes. Filing the S-Corp election is not itself very expensive, but you will need to incur the costs of running payroll. (LLCs don't have to run payroll.)
Business
Corporate Bylaws
California
Can a corporation amend its bylaws without a shareholder vote?
I am a shareholder in a small corporation and recently, the board of directors proposed several amendments to the company's bylaws, including changes to the voting rights and director appointment process. However, there was no mention of a shareholder vote in the proposed amendments, and I am concerned that the board may be trying to bypass our input and make unilateral decisions. I would like to know if it is legally permissible for a corporation to amend its bylaws without a shareholder vote and what my rights as a shareholder are in this situation.
Dolan W.
Hello! My name is Dolan and I am sorry to hear about this situation. So this depends on a few things: 1. The bylaws generally are what govern. If the bylaws authorize this, then it's legal for the corporation's board members to do so. 2. This also depends on the type of shareholders. "Class A" shareholders typically are able to make decisions to amend the bylaws without lower (Class B or lower) shareholders having a say. For instance, Meta can change its bylaws without the consent of common shareholders. 3. Nevertheless, as a shareholder, you have the right to inspect the corporation's governing documents, financial records, and meeting minutes to understand the board's authority and intentions. You can request access to these documents under state law. 4. If the board is acting outside its authority or attempting to make changes that require shareholder approval, you may be able to challenge the amendments. This could involve raising objections at a shareholder meeting, contacting other shareholders to address the issue collectively, or pursuing legal action if necessary. We're happy to help any way we can!
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Contracts Counsel was incredibly helpful and easy to use. I submitted a project for a lawyer's help within a day I had received over 6 proposals from qualified lawyers. I submitted a bid that works best for my business and we went forward with the project.
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I got 5 bids within 24h of posting my project. I choose the person who provided the most detailed and relevant intro letter, highlighting their experience relevant to my project. I am very satisfied with the outcome and quality of the two agreements that were produced, they actually far exceed my expectations.
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