Business Law

I enjoy working with people who are passionate about setting up and running companies. As I lived in France for a number of years, I have an affinity for companies in the wine industry in California.

CA, Dec 1985
Bar Number: 120815

California Supreme Court and Northern District of California.

Redwood Empire Estate Planning Council, Sonoma County Bar Association (also member of Wills and Trusts Section), State Bar of California.

I attend continuing education on a regular basis. I appreciate the programs put on by the Continuing Education of the Bar and by the various sections of the State Bar.

I post articles on my website, www.larsenlaw.net.

I am often called upon to advise my business clients on how to manage the succession of their businesses. Business owners often have not thought through how they will pass their business on to the next generation. Dealing with this issue raises some legal questions, but the toughest issues are personal. For example, how do you treat two children "equally" when one wants to work in the business and the other does not?

I frequently advise foreign business owners on how to conduct business in California. I find myself explaining the laws but also the business practices and customs in our state. This sometimes involves literally translating what a code section says or what a judge's order means.

1

California

I work on all aspects of business law, including creating and operating C corporations, S corporations, LLCs, LLPs, general partnerships and limited partnerships. I advise owners on legal issues they confront, including the negotiation of contracts, collection of debts, enforcement of judgments, and selling or buying a business. I have a special interest in international or "cross border" issues and have represented business owners in California with ties abroad and foreign business people who conduct business in California.

I established my own practice in January 1996. Initially I worked in a number of areas, including wills and trusts, business law, workers' compensation and immigration law. I now emphasize business law, wills and trusts, and real estate.

I became an attorney in 1985. I worked for three years in large corporate firms in San Francisco and Palo Alto. In 1988, I decided to take a leave of absence from large law firms and went to Paris, France, where I lived for over four years. I met my wife in Paris, and our first child was born there. In 1992, we returned to California, and I worked for a large law firm in Novato, California for three years. In January of 1996, I was ready to set up my own practice.

I am a board member of the French-American Chamber of Commerce in San Francisco. I have been the President of my BNI chapter, Mid-Day Power Partners in Santa Rosa, California, since October 1, 2010.

Linda

Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

No

French, conversational German, and some Spanish.

Palo Alto Office
530 Lytton Avenue
2nd Floor
Palo Alto, CA 94301

Santa Rosa Office
575 W. College
Suite 103
Santa Rosa, CA 95401

I often charge a flat rate for straightforward services, such as incorporating a business or drafting a buy-sell agreement. I need to talk to the client and his or her partners, if any, before quoting a flat rate.

$300

I will spend 20 to 30 minutes on the telephone with a prospective client at no charge. I charge a flat rate of $200 to meet with clients in my office for a consultation that can last 60 to 90 minutes.

$1,500.