Silicon Valley Business and Real Estate Lawyers

The firm’s real estate practice includes both litigation and transactional matters. Our real estate attorneys have expertise in handling a broad range of transactions, including purchases and sales, entity formation, private lending and financing transactions, transfers of title, leases, 1031 exchanges and construction contracts. The firm’s managing attorney, Alan Nopar, is a licensed California real estate broker and has extensive experience in negotiating and drafting commercial leases, commercial real estate purchase and sale agreements, and residential purchase and sale agreements. We understand that real estate transactions are time-sensitive, and we know how to get real estate transactions closed expeditiously while minimizing risk.

Our real estate litigation and dispute resolution capabilities encompass not only breach of contract, fraud, misrepresentation, non-disclosure and other common disputes, but broker and agent liability, breach of fiduciary duties, partition actions, escrow and earnest money disputes, and easement and boundary disputes. We also have significant experience in handling disputes between co-owners and between family members, including tenancies in common and matters where money for a down payment has been provided to a family member in exchange for a promised interest in a property or a promised interest in the proceeds from the sale of a property. Our experienced Palo Alto and San Jose real estate attorneys understand real estate, and are well versed in the often complex legal, business, personal and family issues that real estate clients encounter. We take pride in our ability to provide clients with a hands-on approach to devise and achieve desired results as quickly and efficiently as possible.

We have represented numerous start-up businesses in the Bay Area and Silicon Valley areas surrounding Palo Alto and San Jose while supporting established firms in maintaining their competitive edge. Our business attorneys have particular expertise in mergers & acquisitions, including business acquisitions and sales ranging from modest transactions to transactions valued at over $25 million. Alan Nopar is one of only five Bay Area attorneys selected for 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 to the list of Northern California Super Lawyers for the Mergers & Acquisitions practice area. Each of the firm’s senior business attorneys has a strong finance and accounting background, has over 35 years of experience, and has a solid understanding of how legal matters can impact a company’s bottom line. Our business attorneys also have a keen awareness of tax issues and potential tax consequences, and we regularly work closely with clients’ tax advisors to avoid potential tax problems and to minimize combined federal and state taxes.

Our business and commercial law practice includes licensing agreements (including trademark, trade name, software and other intellectual property rights), executive compensation and employment contracts, stock option plans and stock purchase plans, joint venture agreements, trade secrets, technology licensing, commercial and industrial lease agreements, purchases and sales of commercial real estate, entity formation, venture financing, mergers and acquisitions, and purchases and sales of businesses.

Another significant part of our practice is business succession planning, including evaluation of financing options, compensation planning for successors, preparation of shareholder agreements, evaluation and analysis of alternative valuation methods, and creation and implementation of stock transfer strategies.

We have extensive experience in franchise law, including transactional matters such as franchise registration, purchases and sales of franchises, preparation and review of franchise agreements and franchise disclosure documents, and lease review and negotiation. We also have substantial experience and expertise in franchise litigation and dispute resolution, including territorial disputes, encroachment and exclusivity issues, and renewal/non-renewal/termination of franchises. A significant portion of our franchise practice involves post-termination issues, including noncompetition and non-solicitation covenants, re-branding, assignments of leases, and options or rights to purchase business assets.

Our attorneys have had notable success in obtaining highly favorable settlements for franchisees in cases where a franchisor has sought to enforce post-termination remedies such as non-competition covenants or options to purchase assets or to obtain assignments of leases.

We have particular expertise in handling issues regarding franchise transitions and changes, including changes in the nature of the business model being franchised, as well as territorial changes, fee changes, royalty changes and other changes benefitting a franchisor to the detriment of franchisees.

We invite you to learn more about our firm. Review the information provided on this site or contact us to schedule a consultation.