Subordinated Promissory Note Lawyers for Santa Maria, California

I am a business attorney and former in-house corporate attorney with more than a decade of experience helping companies navigate contracts, commercial relationships, day-to-day operations, and disputes. My practice includes drafting, reviewing, and negotiating commercial agreements, licenses, leases, vendor and service agreements, and other business arrangements. Licensed in Nevada, California, New York, and Texas, I also hold an Executive MBA. My goal is to serve as practical, long-term outside counsel to small businesses and entrepreneurs that value responsiveness, sound judgment, and advice grounded in commercial realities - not merely technical legal answers. I handle disputes when necessary, but much of the value I bring lies in identifying issues early, preserving business relationships, and preventing avoidable conflicts. I do not bill separately for routine phone calls. I want clients to feel comfortable calling before a small concern becomes an expensive problem, and I am always happy to have an initial conversation to see if the fit is right for you. www.linkedin.com/in/maxkelner

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.

With 20 years of transactional law experience, I have represented corporate giants like AT&T and T-Mobile, as well as mid-size and small businesses across a wide spectrum of legal needs, including business purchase agreements, entity formation, employment matters, commercial and residential real estate transactions, partnership agreements, online business terms and policy drafting, and business and corporate compliance. Recognizing the complexities of the legal landscape, I am dedicated to providing accessible and transparent legal services by offering a flat fee structure, making high-quality legal representation available to all. My extensive knowledge and commitment to client success establishes me as a trusted advisor for businesses of all sizes.

I am an attorney licensed in both California and Mexico. I offer a unique blend of 14 years of legal expertise that bridges the gap between diverse legal landscapes. My background is enriched by significant roles as in-house counsel for global powerhouses such as Anheuser-Busch, Campari Group, and Grupo Lala, alongside contributions to Tier 1 law firms. I specialize in navigating the complexities of two pivotal areas: AI/Tech Innovation: With a profound grasp of both cutting-edge transformer models and foundational machine learning technologies, I am your go-to advisor for integrating these advancements into your business. Whether it's B2B or B2C applications, I ensure that your company harnesses the power of AI in a manner that's not only enterprise-friendly but also fully compliant with regulatory standards. Cross-Border Excellence: My expertise extends beyond borders, with over a decade of experience facilitating cross-border operations for companies in more than 20 countries. I am particularly adept at enhancing US-Mexico operations, ensuring seamless and efficient business transactions across these territories.

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.

With more than 20 years of nonprofit, small business, and government experience, Niki can assist you on a wide range of legal issues, including creating new entities and avoiding compliance pitfalls.

Hi, I’m a tech lawyer who helps startups move fast without breaking things legally. I work with founders, product teams, and early-stage companies tackling messy legal and compliance challenges. From launching MVPs to signing your first customers, raising capital, or issuing tokens, I make sure legal supports your growth, not slows it down. With 15+ years of experience at global tech companies and in-house roles, I’ve helped startups across AI, Web3, SaaS, and gaming lay solid legal foundations. I bring sharp, practical advice that fits your stage, your budget, and your ambitions. I offer fractional general counsel support - senior legal expertise without the full-time overhead. Here’s how I can help: Product & Privacy Launch smart with privacy-by-design, strong TOS, and compliance (GDPR, CCPA, HIPAA, etc.). Commercial Contracts SaaS, vendor, data, pilot, licensing. I’ll help you close clean, scalable deals. IP & Open Source Protect what you build. I’ll guide you on patents, trade secrets, and open source use. Crypto & Web3 Token grants, incentive plans, securities and tax issues, DAO structures - I’ve done it. AI Legal & Governance I advise AI teams on legal risk, model oversight, and emerging regulations (US, EU, global). Fundraising & Corporate Stay investor-ready with clean docs, smart governance, and solid equity structure. Regulatory Strategy Fintech, payments, data. I'll turn complex rules into actionable legal strategies. I speak founder. I’ve been inside startups and know what scrappy, strategic legal support looks like. If you're looking for a hands-on legal partner to help you build responsibly and scale with confidence, let’s talk.

With nearly a decade of in-house experience at publicly traded and high-growth technology companies, I bring a practical and business-focused approach to negotiating and managing a wide range of commercial agreements, including SaaS, licensing, procurement, and enterprise contracts. I lead strategic negotiations, advise on risk, and collaborate cross-functionally to support scalable legal processes. My background includes enhancing contract frameworks, refining templates, and driving alignment between legal strategy and business goals.

I am a San Francisco attorney with specific expertise representing the public with residential and commercial real estate interests in the Bay Area. I apply my background in dispute resolution services, contract analysis, and conflict management to identify and produce long-term results for clients amidst demanding and unforeseen circumstances.

Multilingual California Attorney with experience in Immigration, Real Estate, Contracts.