Category Archives: General Information

What is the Appropriate Leasing Term for you?

Signing a commercial lease is a significant commitment for most businesses. Whether negotiating or renewing a commercial lease, it can be difficult to determine the best lease term for your business. Many companies settle for a “standard” 5-year term, which may be appropriate. But there are factors to consider that could make a shorter or longer term more advantageous for your particular business. The information in this discussion may be useful helping you arrive at an appropriate lease term. However, if you’re still not sure, the best approach might be to consult with commercial leasing attorneys to advise you. Continue reading →

What to Do Before You Buy Commercial Real Estate in the Bay Area

Purchasing commercial real estate in the Bay Area can be a solid investment. Whether you are considering buying property in Oakland, Pleasanton, San Leandro, or anywhere in the Bay Area you will likely find a wealth of appealing options available. However, you will need to consider certain details before signing a purchase agreement. The following are some of the steps worth taking prior to buying Bay Area commercial real estate. Continue reading →

Non-Disclosure Agreement Do’s and Don’ts

We live in a highly competitive business environment, which pits people against firms, and major corporations against small businesses. When negotiating transactions, individuals and companies must prevent unauthorized disclosure of their trade secrets and proprietary information, which is so vitally important in such a competitive business environment. One of the ways for professionals and firms to protect trade secrets and proprietary information when negotiating transactions is through a properly drafted Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA). With an NDA, the parties to a transaction are prohibited from sharing with third parties trade secrets and proprietary information that is disclosed to them in connection with the negotiating and due diligence of a proposed transaction. Continue reading →

Selling Your Business – The Confidentiality Agreement

East Bay Contracts Attorney Discusses

You spend years building a successful business, but at some point the time comes to sell it. Given all the emotion involved in making that move, it pays to plan ahead to protect your investment as you move through the selling process. One key move: Talk to your business attorney about drafting a strong confidentiality agreement (sometimes called a non-disclosure agreement, or “NDA”) to use with every prospective buyer, their employees and their advisors. The non-disclosure agreement should be drafted and signed before disclosing confidential or proprietary information to the potential buyer. Continue reading →

Avoid Probate with a Living Trust

Estate Planning Through the Use of Trusts

Many parents have plans to leave their assets, money and heirlooms to their children as heirs. Unfortunately, this does not happen automatically upon the parent’s death. Without the proper estate planning, the heirs may end up spending much of their time and money in probate court. A better alternative is avoiding probate by establishing a living trust while alive and transferring the estate assets upon the death of the parents to the heirs through trust administration, which usually does not require probate court supervision.

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Minimize Business Partnership Disputes

East Bay Small Business Attorney Has Experience In These Matters

Some of the best business partnerships go stale with one wrong move. Close friends become enemies; tight-knit families become distant relatives. This is the risk you take when you go into business with friends or family. However, when you take the right steps upfront, you can minimize the possibility of future disputes. Continue reading →

Bankruptcy & Commercial Foreclosure

Oakland Commercial Attorney Discusses Real Estate Financing Challenges

As a Bay Area business owner, your business may own commercial real estate and you are aware of the great rewards – and the risks – involved. Hard work and ethical dealings, while necessary, are no guarantee by themselves of the success of your business. This includes the ability to stay current on your commercial real estate mortgage. Continue reading →

Acquiring Commercial Real Estate with Current Tenants

Experienced Oakland Business Attorney’s Recommendations

Purchasing occupied commercial real estate provides you with an immediate source of income, but the inherited tenants can also cause headaches. Disputes with such tenants can lead to messy negotiations or even costly litigation if you fail to handle the situation properly. Prevent problems by:
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Buying An Oakland Business? Don’t Overlook the Letter of Intent

Advice From An Experienced Oakland Business Attorney

Experienced entrepreneurs know that it can be better to purchase an established business instead of starting one from the ground up. The San Francisco Bay Area’s strong economy also makes metropolitan areas like Oakland a smart purchase location. But like any business venture, the purchasing process must undergo strategic steps so that buyers and sellers reach fair, negotiated and intended legal terms at the end of the transaction. The Letter of Intent (LOI), insignificant as it may seem, must be crafted and delivered carefully for the business agreement to continue without mishaps. When it is time to draft a LOI, consult a contracts attorney and consider the following: Continue reading →

Five Tips Landlords Should Know

Oakland Business Attorney Offers Advice

Being a landlord can have its benefits, but it can also be a trap for the unwary. Failure to know your rights and responsibilities as a landlord can be costly, both in time and money. Here are a few tips to protect yourself and your rental business.