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AdobeStock_118045560-300x199The coronavirus pandemic changed every aspect of life in California. Though the health crisis has improved, the long-term effects of COVID continue to affect us in many different ways. One of the big problems facing the legal profession is access to the state court system. Emergency procedures shut the courts down entirely in the early days of the pandemic. Soon, the courts operated on a limited basis, but even these short closures caused serious problems in a backlog that existed long before the COVID crisis. Reuters reports on the emergency COVID-19 orders that were rescinded in March 2022. After two full years, the California court system is no longer operating under restrictions. This change does not mean that it will be business as usual for every litigant seeking help in the courts.

Court Hearings

The state court system enacted many emergency procedures to protect the health and safety of all litigants during the COVID-19 pandemic. These steps included remote hearings, mask use, and restricting the number of people in a courtroom at the same time. These restrictions have been lifted as the health crisis improves. You are more likely to find normal court procedures in cases throughout the state. The courts’ limited operations during COVID have, however, created a backlog. As a result, it can take much longer to get a court date at all.

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AdobeStock_141334922-300x200For many businesses, intellectual property will be their most valuable asset.  Licensing your IP to other businesses is a lucrative way to earn a passive income. Patents are the most common way to earn revenue from your IP, but copyrights and trademarks can also earn revenue.  Nevertheless, there are pitfalls here and you want to ensure that your interests are protected when you license your IP to another company.  In this article, Structure Law Group’s Los Angeles IP attorney will discuss how to protect yourself when licensing out your intellectual property.

IP license agreements and chain of title

Intellectual property is licensed out to another business using a licensing form.  The form, which can likely be downloaded somewhere online, creates a contract between you and the licensee for use.  However, license templates found online will not necessarily protect your company’s interests when licensing your IP.

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AdobeStock_119264482-300x204Naming a business is a critical component of branding strategy for a person or entity involved in a California business. When the name of the business does not include the owner’s last name, a person or entity has to file a fictitious business name (FBN) statement with the office of the Registrar-Recorder or County Clerk in the specific county location for the business. This process is also known as registering a “Doing Business As” (DBA) or “Trade Name,” and a business without a location in California will have to register with the Clerk of Sacramento County.

The DBA requirement can be confusing for many people, but you do not have to handle everything on your own. Contact an LA business formation attorney with Structure Law Group, LLP for help with all your DBA needs.

When DBAs Apply

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AdobeStock_96879652-300x200When you are selling a business in California, it can be a somewhat complex but still rewarding process that requires an exit strategy to realize the gains from building and operating a successful business. The number of moving parts when selling a business makes documentation of the terms of a sale critical, and there will generally be four stages to follow.

You are going to want to make sure that you have legal counsel when you are negotiating the sale of your business. A California business attorney with Structure Law Group, LLP, can walk you through the entire process.

Preparing to Sell the Business

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AdobeStock_255732380-300x200There is no legal requirement that you have an attorney to set up an LLC. There is also no legal requirement that you have a defense lawyer represent you in the criminal court, but in both cases, your legal rights can be seriously impaired if you do not get legal advice. Structure Law Group is a Bay Area business law firm that helps business owners set up LLCs with as much legal protection as possible. Our Silicon Valley LLC attorneys have helped entrepreneurs form businesses in a wide range of industries.  Here are some of the most important reasons you should hire a lawyer to help you set up your LLC.

A lawyer will make sure you select the right business entity.

There are many business entities from which to choose. An LLC is just one of several options, and it may not be right in every situation. It is important to consult with a business formation attorney to be sure that you are selecting the best business entity for your specific needs. The IRS recognizes many business entities, including:

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AdobeStock_204199356-300x169The prospect of buying an existing business in California can be an extraordinarily exciting time for all types of people, but there will be several concerns of which a prospective business owner needs to be aware. You do not want to leap into any business venture without performing due diligence when it comes to research and preparation.

Structure Law Group, LLP is a business law firm that has offices in both Silicon Valley and Los Angeles to help focus on all kinds of business transactions and litigation for clients throughout California. When you are considering buying any business in the Golden State, be sure you are working with an experienced Los Angeles business attorney.

Get Full and Complete Disclosure

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AdobeStock_399603265-scaled-e1661534259751-300x195Here is a checklist for buyer’s counsel to use when conducting a legal due diligence review of intellectual property (IP) and information technology (IT) matters as part of a merger or acquisition (an M&A transaction). The checklist covers common areas of due diligence concerning intellectual property (IP) and information technology (IT) matters in relation to a merger or acquisition (an M&A transaction).

When you are preparing for any kind of M&A transaction, you will want to be sure that you retain legal counsel for assistance with many of these concerns. A Silicon Valley business law attorney with Structure Law Group, LLP can be by your side the entire time and ensure that you achieve the most favorable end result.

Common Pitfalls or Deal Breakers

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AdobeStock_445476294-300x200When entrepreneurs are starting a business involving a partner or multiple partners, a buy-sell agreement will be a must-have because the agreement will establish protections for every party and the company if something happens or an exit event occurs with any of the business partners. Without this agreement, several variables may emerge, including a family member or other party taking ownership or a controlling stake without any concern for business success.

Formulating a buy-sell agreement can be a big demand, but you can get competent legal help in formulating this agreement. A Los Angeles business attorney with Structure Law Group, LLP can help you craft a buy-sell agreement that will focus on protecting your business for the long run.

When You Need a Buy-Sell Agreement

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AdobeStock_516820932-300x200There are many risks involved with entering into any contract. Business litigation costs time and money that interferes with efficient business operations. The best way to mitigate the risk of a business contract is to hire an experienced Los Angeles business attorney to draft your contract with as much protection as possible. At Structure Law Group, our skilled Los Angeles business litigation lawyers know how to prevent disputes in the drafting phase, negotiate dispute resolution during the contract performance, and litigate disputes in court when necessary.

Financial Protections

Some contract provisions provide financial protection. Insurance requirements, for example, can provide financial security against the risk of loss. Los Angeles business owners can also create financial protection with a liquidated damages clause. This contract provision imposes a set monetary fee, that a breaching party is required to pay in the event that they breach the contract. It is not designed to be a penalty, so courts will usually not enforce liquidated damages provisions that are not closely tailored to the party’s actual financial losses. But setting the amount of these financial losses ahead of time provides one party with financial security in the event that the other party breaches the contract. It also sets a financial incentive to encourage both parties to comply with the contract.

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AdobeStock_289024304-300x200When you are thinking about starting your own business, there can be a number of reasons that incorporating in Delaware may seem attractive. Delaware is a particularly attractive state for the incorporation of large corporations because it offers the best franchise tax rules and has typically been the most pro-management. It provides the best protection for board members against derivative lawsuits, there is less protection for minority shareholders than in California, and Delaware also offers limited statutory protection against hostile takeovers.

While all of these concerns can certainly be important, they may mean very little when your company is not ready for an initial public offering (IPO) or stock launch, or later rounds of equity financing. When you are debating this type of decision, be sure to speak with a California startup attorney at Structure Law Group, LLP.

Advantages of Incorporating in Delaware

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