Website Development Contract Lawyers for California

I began my career at "big law" firms, worked in-house for 14 years, and now have my own practice, providing big law quality at small firm rates. My practice focuses on strategic and commercial transactions, including M&A, preferred stock and common stock offerings, asset purchases and sales, joint ventures and strategic partnerships, stock option plans, master services agreements and SOWs, software development and license agreements, SaaS agreements, NDAs, employment and consulting agreements. I also manage corporate governance, advise boards and executives, and act as outside general counsel. I represent clients across the country and around the world.

I am a licensed attorney and a member of the California Bar. I graduated from the University of Dayton School of Law's Program in Law and Technology. I love IP, tech transfers, licensing, and how the internet and developing technology is changing the legal landscape. I've interned at both corporations and boutique firms, and I've taken extensive specialized classes in intellectual property and technology law.

I have been practicing law exclusively in the areas of business and real estate transactions since joining the profession in 2003. I began my career in the Corporate/Finance department of Sidley's Los Angeles office. I am presently a solo practitioner/freelancer, and service both business- and attorney-clients in those roles.

Before law school I built the contract management system for a publicly traded medical device company — so I read your agreement the way the people who have to live with it will, not just the way a court would. I draft and review business contracts on a fixed fee, with the delivery date agreed before I start. You get the redlined document plus a short written summary of what I changed, why it matters, and what I'd push back on if the other side objects. Revisions are included — I'd rather get the document right than count rounds. NDAs, MSAs and SOWs, contractor and employment agreements, SaaS terms, terms of service and privacy policies, operating agreements, vendor and construction contracts, and full contract review with a plain-English risk summary. Send me the document and what you're trying to accomplish with it, and I'll come back with a fixed fee and a date.

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.

Ryan Darby is a California attorney and commercial real estate developer with more than a decade of civil litigation experience. From 2010 through 2024, he operated the Law Office of Ryan T. Darby. His practice initially focused on landlord-tenant matters and later shifted to defamation defense and First Amendment litigation, including anti-SLAPP motion practice. He served as co-counsel for the plaintiff-appellant in a published Ninth Circuit opinion that reversed the dismissal of First Amendment claims and established precedent protecting speech and press rights against retaliatory government action. Ryan founded Quintessential Capital in 2019 to pursue multifamily acquisitions and later shifted the company’s focus to flex-industrial development. He has since completed a ground-up flex-industrial project in Sparks, Nevada. As a real estate principal, he has negotiated letters of intent, purchase agreements, a loan agreement and related extension, and listing agreements. His legal experience includes drafting and negotiating leases, settlement agreements, and releases, and advising clients on contract disputes. Ryan earned his J.D. from Chapman University’s Fowler School of Law, where he served as a Senior Staff Editor of the Chapman Law Review. His current practice focuses on real estate and lease agreements, settlements and releases, and contract-related disputes. His experience as both counsel and client helps him distinguish between theoretical concerns and risks that matter in practice. Ryan lives in San Diego with his wife, young son, dog, and cat.

Prenuptial Agreements I represent clients in the preparation and review of prenuptial agreements. My experience includes drafting comprehensive prenuptial agreements on behalf of the initiating fiancé, ensuring that the agreement accurately reflects the client's financial interests, assets, liabilities, and objectives while complying with applicable legal requirements. I also represent the non-drafting fiancé by conducting a thorough review of proposed prenuptial agreements, identifying legal and financial issues, explaining the rights and obligations created by the agreement, recommending revisions where appropriate, and negotiating modifications to help protect my client's interests before execution. Probate Administration Represented a client in the complete administration of a California probate estate valued at approximately $1 million. Successfully handled the matter from the initial petition through final distribution, preparing all required court filings, advising the executor throughout the administration, resolving probate requirements, and obtaining court approval to close the estate. Achieved the successful distribution of the estate assets to the executor and sole beneficiary in accordance with California probate law.

I handle litigation, trial, and appeal of civil rights, torts, breach of contract, and family law matters.

I help California businesses, entrepreneurs, and individuals understand legal risk and resolve legal issues efficiently. My practice focuses on contract drafting, review, negotiation, business disputes, settlement agreements, and practical legal guidance tailored to each client's objectives. I emphasize clear communication, practical solutions, and work that clients can put to use immediately.

I have spent over 19 years negotiating commercial and technology contracts across various industries. I have both Big Law and in house experience, most recently at Warner Bros. as a senior legal executive on their technology and commercial transactions team. I am a pragmatic dealmaker who balances business goals with legal risk.