Business Law Attorneys in Pasadena

Choosing the right legal structure is an important first step when starting a business. California businesses may be organized as corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships, and other entity types, with each structure carrying different requirements for ownership, management, liability, taxation, and governance. California Corporations Code § 200 governs the formation of California corporations, while California Corporations Code § 17702.01 establishes requirements for forming a limited liability company, including filing Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State. California Corporations Code § 200 — Corporation Formation California Corporations Code § 17702.01 — LLC Formation

Our business law attorneys help business owners evaluate their options, establish the appropriate entity, prepare formation documents, and address the legal considerations that accompany the launch of a new business.

The legal structure that works for a business when it is founded may not remain the best fit as the company grows. Changes in ownership, investment, management, liability concerns, tax considerations, or plans to sell the company may all lead a business owner to consider restructuring. California law establishes different rules for corporations and limited liability companies, including requirements governing their management, ownership, and transactions. California Revised Uniform Limited Liability Company Act — Corporations Code § 17701.01 et seq.

Our experienced business counsel helps evaluate whether a change in entity structure is appropriate and guides the business through the legal steps required to reorganize, convert, merge, or otherwise modify its structure.

A business's formation and governance documents establish many of the rules under which it operates. Depending on the type of entity, these documents may include Articles of Incorporation, Articles of Organization, Bylaws, Operating Agreements, Shareholder Agreements, Buy-Sell Agreements, and other corporate records. California law provides specific requirements governing corporate formation and the management of corporations and LLCs. For example, California Corporations Code § 200 addresses Articles of Incorporation, while § 17704.07 establishes rules concerning management and operating agreements for LLCs. California Corporations Code § 200 California Corporations Code § 17704.07 — LLC Management and Operating Agreements

Our business attorneys prepare, review, and amend these documents to reflect changes in ownership, management, voting rights, responsibilities, and other aspects of the business relationship. Properly maintained governance documents can also help reduce uncertainty when important business decisions or disagreements arise.

Closing a business involves more than simply stopping operations. Depending on the entity, owners may need to approve dissolution, wind up the company's affairs, address outstanding debts and obligations, distribute remaining assets, and file the appropriate documents with the California Secretary of State and other governmental agencies. California Corporations Code § 17707.01 establishes circumstances under which an LLC is dissolved and its activities wound up, while Corporations Code § 1905 establishes requirements for dissolving and winding up a corporation. California Corporations Code § 17707.01 — LLC Dissolution California Corporations Code § 1905 — Corporate Dissolution

Our business counsel helps business owners determine the appropriate process for closing a company, resolving outstanding obligations, distributing assets, and completing the required dissolution filings.

California employers must comply with a broad range of laws governing wages, working conditions, employee classification, personnel practices, and other employment matters. For example, California Labor Code § 2775 establishes the general statutory framework for determining whether a worker is an employee or independent contractor, while Labor Code § 1197 prohibits paying employees less than an applicable minimum wage. California Business and Professions Code § 16600 also generally restricts contracts that restrain a person from engaging in a lawful profession, trade, or business. California Labor Code § 2775 — Employee and Independent Contractor Classification California Labor Code § 1197 — Minimum Wage California Business and Professions Code § 16600 — Restrictions on Noncompete Agreements

Our business attorneys advise employers on employment agreements, independent contractor relationships, employee policies, compensation issues, workplace disputes, and other legal matters that arise throughout the employment relationship.

Contracts are fundamental to most business relationships, from agreements with customers and vendors to leases, licensing arrangements, employment agreements, partnership agreements, and other commercial transactions. California's Civil Code contains numerous provisions governing contracts, including Civil Code § 1624, which identifies certain agreements that must be in writing to be enforceable, and § 1670.5, which addresses unconscionable contract provisions. California Civil Code § 1624 — Agreements Required to Be in Writing California Civil Code § 1670.5 — Unconscionable Contracts

Our business lawyers draft, review, negotiate, and revise commercial agreements before they are signed. We help identify unclear provisions, unfavorable obligations, potential liabilities, and other contractual issues that could create problems for a business later.

Every business faces legal risks related to its contracts, employees, customers, vendors, ownership structure, business practices, and day-to-day operations. California law imposes obligations that can create potential liability when a business fails to exercise the required level of care or violates applicable business regulations. For example, California Civil Code § 1714 establishes general liability for injuries caused by a person's lack of ordinary care or skill, while Business and Professions Code § 17200 broadly defines unlawful, unfair, or fraudulent business acts and practices as unfair competition. California Civil Code § 1714 — Duty of Ordinary Care California Business and Professions Code § 17200 — Unfair Competition

Our corporate counsel helps businesses identify potential areas of legal exposure, evaluate contractual and operational risks, and develop practical strategies for reducing the likelihood and potential impact of legal disputes.

Businesses routinely enter into transactions that can significantly affect their ownership, operations, assets, and future growth. These may include mergers, acquisitions, sales of business interests, restructurings, and other strategic transactions. California Corporations Code § 1101, for example, establishes requirements concerning agreements of merger for corporations, including approval of the merger agreement by the board. California Corporations Code § 1101 — Corporate Mergers

Our business attorneys help businesses evaluate proposed transactions, conduct legal due diligence, negotiate transaction documents, address regulatory and corporate requirements, and coordinate the legal steps necessary to complete the transaction.

Disagreements between business owners, partners, shareholders, managers, and other stakeholders can interfere with a company's operations and make important decisions difficult or impossible. The governing documents and applicable California law often determine how these disputes should be addressed. For example, California Corporations Code § 800 establishes requirements relating to shareholder derivative actions, while Corporations Code § 17704.07 addresses management authority and decision-making within LLCs. California Corporations Code § 800 — Shareholder Derivative Actions California Corporations Code § 17704.07 — LLC Management and Decision-Making

Our business legal team helps business owners understand their rights and obligations, evaluate potential solutions, negotiate with other stakeholders, and pursue appropriate legal remedies when an internal disagreement cannot be resolved informally.

Businesses may obtain financing through loans, investment from owners or third parties, issuance of equity interests, or other financing arrangements. When a company raises capital by offering or selling securities, California's Corporate Securities Law may impose qualification requirements or provide specific exemptions depending on the transaction. California Corporations Code § 25102 identifies numerous transactions that may be exempt from qualification requirements, while § 25401 prohibits material misrepresentations or omissions in connection with the offer or sale of securities. California Corporations Code § 25102 — Securities Exemptions California Corporations Code § 25401 — Securities Misrepresentations and Omissions

Our corporate lawyers help businesses evaluate financing arrangements, prepare and negotiate financing documents, structure equity investments, and identify the legal requirements that may apply when raising capital.

Many businesses need ongoing legal guidance but do not require a full-time, in-house legal department. An outside General Counsel can serve as a continuing legal resource, helping business owners address contracts, employment matters, corporate governance, transactions, risk management, disputes, and other legal issues as they arise.

We serve as outside General Counsel for businesses that need ongoing legal guidance but do not require a full-time, in-house legal department. Our attorneys provide continuing counsel on contracts, employment matters, corporate governance, transactions, risk management, disputes, and other legal issues as they arise.

Businesses encounter legal questions throughout their normal operations, even when no major transaction or dispute is involved. Routine legal matters may include reviewing contracts, advising on business relationships, interpreting existing agreements, addressing employment questions, maintaining corporate records, evaluating potential liabilities, and helping owners make legally informed business decisions.

Ongoing legal advice can help a company address issues before they develop into larger disputes or costly problems. Depending on the circumstances, applicable California law may include provisions governing corporations and LLCs, contracts, employment relationships, securities, and unfair business practices. California Corporations Code California Civil Code — Contracts California Labor Code

Sulahian Law provides practical legal guidance on these day-to-day matters, helping business owners understand their options and make informed decisions as their businesses operate and grow.

A sole proprietorship is the simplest structure — one person owns and operates the business with no legal separation between the owner and the business. An LLC (Limited Liability Company) creates a separate legal entity that can protect personal assets from business debts. A corporation is a more formal entity with shareholders, a board of directors, and officers, often used by businesses seeking outside investment or planning to go public.

Most business entities — including LLCs, corporations, and partnerships — must register with the state in which they operate. Sole proprietors typically do not need to register unless they use a trade name (also called a DBA or "doing business as"). Requirements vary by state and industry.

A registered agent is a person or company designated to receive official legal and government documents on behalf of a business. Most states require LLCs and corporations to maintain a registered agent with a physical address in the state of formation. The registered agent must be available during regular business hours.

Protecting your intellectual property starts with identifying what you actually own — your brand name, logo, inventions, proprietary processes, or creative works — and then securing the right form of legal protection, whether that's a trademark, copyright, or patent. Acting early is critical: the longer your IP goes unprotected, the more vulnerable it is to infringement, and the harder it can be to enforce your rights down the line.

Our attorneys can help you assess your IP portfolio, determine the right protections for your business, and put a strategy in place before issues arise. Contact us to schedule a consultation and safeguard what you've built.

Navigating compliance can be complex, especially as your company grows or expands into new markets. A business attorney can help you understand and meet the state and federal requirements that apply to your industry — including regulatory compliance, employment law obligations, licensing, and day-to-day operational requirements. Falling out of compliance, even unintentionally, can expose your company to significant risk.

Our firm works with business owners to identify potential gaps and build compliance practices that protect your company long-term. Reach out to us to discuss your specific compliance needs.

Forming your business the right way from the outset can save you significant time, money, and legal exposure later on. The process typically involves choosing the legal structure that best fits your goals — such as an LLC, corporation, or partnership — filing the appropriate formation documents with the state, and drafting foundational agreements like operating agreements or corporate bylaws. Every business is different, and the right structure depends on your industry, growth plans, and ownership arrangement.

Our attorneys can guide you through each step and ensure your business is built on solid legal footing. Contact our office today to get started.

Verbal agreements can, in some circumstances, be legally binding — but relying on them is risky. Without documentation, it becomes your word against the other party's if a dispute arises, and proving the terms that were actually agreed to can be extremely difficult. A written contract clearly defines each party's obligations, protects your interests, and significantly reduces the likelihood of costly disputes down the road.

Our attorneys can help you put clear, enforceable agreements in place before a handshake deal turns into a legal headache. Contact us to discuss how we can protect your business interests in writing.

Most business contracts include the names and roles of the parties involved, a description of the goods or services being exchanged, payment terms and amounts, timelines or deadlines, what happens if a party fails to perform (breach), and how disputes will be resolved. A governing law clause specifying which state's laws apply is also common.

A non-disclosure agreement (NDA) is a legal contract that protects your business's confidential information — trade secrets, financial data, client lists, business strategies, and more — from being disclosed or misused by the party who receives it. Businesses commonly use NDAs when bringing on new employees or contractors, entering partnership discussions, sharing information with investors, or working with outside vendors.

A well-drafted NDA is one of the simplest and most effective ways to safeguard what makes your business valuable. Our attorneys can prepare an NDA tailored to your specific situation. Reach out to us to get started.

The distinction between an employee and an independent contractor generally comes down to control: an employee works under the direction and supervision of the business, while an independent contractor operates independently and determines how the work gets done. Getting this classification right matters — it directly affects tax withholding, benefits eligibility, liability exposure, and compliance with labor laws, and misclassification can lead to costly penalties and back-tax liability. California applies a particularly strict standard known as the "ABC test," which presumes a worker is an employee unless the business can show that the worker (A) is free from the company's control and direction in performing the work, (B) performs work that is outside the usual course of the company's business, and (C) is customarily engaged in an independently established trade, occupation, or business of the same nature. All three conditions must be met for a worker to be properly classified as an independent contractor — a higher bar than in many other states, and one that trips up businesses that assume federal or other-state standards apply.

Our attorneys can help you evaluate your workforce, classify workers correctly, and put agreements in place that protect your business. Contact us to make sure your business is on solid legal ground.

Whether a non-compete agreement holds up depends heavily on where your business operates and how the agreement is drafted. Courts generally look at whether the restriction is reasonable in scope, duration, and geographic reach, and some states significantly limit or outright prohibit non-compete enforcement altogether. A poorly drafted agreement can be thrown out entirely, leaving your business without the protection you thought you had.

Our attorneys can draft or review your non-compete agreements to ensure they're enforceable and tailored to your state's requirements. Reach out to us to protect your business interests the right way.

Trademarks, copyrights, and patents each protect a different type of intellectual property, and understanding which applies to your business is the first step toward safeguarding what you've built. A trademark protects the identifiers that distinguish your brand — names, logos, slogans, and other marks used in commerce. A copyright protects original creative works, such as written content, artwork, photography, software code, and marketing materials. A patent protects inventions and functional innovations, giving the owner exclusive rights to make, use, or sell the invention for a set period of time. Choosing the wrong form of protection — or missing one altogether — can leave valuable assets exposed.

Our attorneys can help you identify which protections apply to your business and put the right safeguards in place. Contact us to schedule a consultation.

While federal registration isn't legally required to claim trademark rights, it provides significantly stronger protection than relying on unregistered use alone. A registered trademark gives you nationwide public notice of your ownership, a legal presumption of validity, and stronger enforcement tools if someone else attempts to use a similar name or logo. Without registration, your rights are generally limited to the specific geographic area where you've actually used the mark, which can leave your brand vulnerable as your business grows.

Our attorneys can guide you through the registration process and help you secure the strongest possible protection for your brand. Reach out to us to get started.

Our firm handles a full range of real estate matters, from residential and commercial transactions to contract review and dispute resolution. The right approach depends on the specifics of your matter — whether you're buying, selling, leasing, or navigating a dispute — and our attorneys can guide you through each step with the experience your transaction requires.

Contact us to discuss your real estate needs.

Rather than searching directories or referral services, you can go straight to a firm with direct, hands-on real estate experience. Our attorneys regularly represent clients in residential and commercial transactions, lease disputes, and property matters, giving you a single point of contact instead of a search through bar association listings.

Reach out to us to get started with a team that already knows the process.

Property boundary disputes can be complex, often involving title records, surveys, and land use regulations. Our attorneys have experience in real estate litigation, including boundary and title disputes, and can help protect your property rights from the outset.

Reach out to us to schedule a consultation and discuss the specifics of your dispute.

You don't need to look further — our firm represents clients in commercial real estate matters, including business property transactions, leasing agreements, zoning issues, and commercial disputes. Whether you're negotiating a new lease or resolving a conflict, our attorneys can guide your transaction from start to finish.

Contact us to see how we can help with your commercial property needs.

Before finalizing any real estate investment, it's important to have an attorney review the contract, assess potential risks, and evaluate legal considerations such as zoning restrictions and required disclosures. Our attorneys can help you make an informed decision and avoid costly surprises down the road.

Contact us before you sign to ensure your investment is protected.

Our firm offers consultations to review purchase agreements, leases, and other property contracts before you sign — giving you a clear understanding of your rights and obligations before you commit. Catching a problematic clause early can save significant time and money later.

Reach out to us to schedule your contract review.

Piercing the corporate veil refers to a court's decision to hold the owners or shareholders of a corporation or LLC personally liable for business debts or legal judgments, despite the usual liability protection these structures provide. This typically happens when courts find that the business was not operated as a separate entity — for example, if personal and business finances were commingled, corporate formalities were ignored, or the structure was used fraudulently.

ADR refers to methods of resolving disputes outside of court, most commonly arbitration and mediation. Mediation involves a neutral third party helping the disputing parties reach a voluntary agreement. Arbitration involves a neutral arbitrator (or panel) who hears both sides and issues a binding or non-binding decision. Many business contracts include ADR clauses that require disputes to be handled this way rather than through litigation.