Small text sizeMedium text sizeLarge text size Print this page
Back to Search Results
Donavon Marble

Donavon Marble

Donavon R. Marble, Attorney at Law
274 Redwood Shores Pkwy
Suite 441
Redwood City, CA 94065

Phone: (650) 508-1112  |  Fax: (650) 508-1113
http://www.MarbleLegal.com

Contact Donavon Marble

30 Year Advocate in Business and Real Estate

Legal Topic

Business Law

Preferred New Clients

Individuals and businesses that appreciate hard work and special attention in any of my practice areas.

Sub-Categories

Business Law
  • Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
Banking & Finance
  • Commercial Banks & Loans
  • Commercial Leasing
  • Mortgages & Foreclosures
Bars & Restaurants
  • Liquor Licenses
Business Formation & Dissolution
  • Business Successions
  • Buying & Selling
  • Closely Held Businesses
  • Corporations
  • Directors' & Officers' Liability
  • Franchising
  • Joint Ventures
  • Limited Liability Companies (LLCs)
  • Mergers, Acquisitions & Divestitures
  • Partnerships
  • Shareholders' Rights
Business Tax
  • Negotiating Payments & Settlements
  • Property Taxes (Ad Valorem Taxes)
Commercial Law
  • Breach of Contract
  • Contract Disputes
  • Contract Drafting & Review
  • Employment Contracts
  • Franchises
  • Non-Compete Contracts
  • Secured Transactions
  • Uniform Commercial Code
  • Warranties
Construction
  • Commercial Construction Contracts
  • Construction Defects
  • Construction Disputes
  • Dangerous Property
  • Mechanics' Liens
Insurance - Commercial
  • Casualty Insurance
  • Commercial Insurance
  • Directors' & Officers' Liability
  • Errors & Omissions
  • Fidelity, Guarantee, & Surety
  • Insurance Subrogation
  • Property Insurance
  • Reinsurance
Collections
  • Creditor's Rights
  • Garnishees
  • Judgments
  • Locating Funds
Consumer/Lemon Law
  • Credit Report Problems
  • Debt Collection/Relief/Harassment
  • Foreclosures
  • Frauds, Scams, Hoaxes
  • Repossessions
  • Student Loans
  • Truth in Lending

Legal Topic

Real Estate

Preferred New Clients

Individuals and businesses that appreciate hard work and special attention in any of my practice areas.

Sub-Categories

Commercial Real Estate
  • Broker & Transaction Litigation
  • Building Codes
  • Condominiums & Cooperatives
  • Construction Contracts
  • Construction Defects
  • Conveyancing
  • Homeowners' Associations
  • Insurance
  • Land Use & Zoning
  • Mechanics' Liens
  • Mortgages
  • Property Taxes
  • Real Estate Loans
  • Renting & Leasing
  • Title Insurance
  • Title Litigation
  • Landlord
  • Tenant
  • Tenants' Rights
Residential Real Estate
  • Broker & Transaction Litigation
  • Building Codes
  • Buying & Selling
  • Condominiums & Cooperatives
  • Construction Contracts
  • Construction Defects
  • Conveyancing
  • Homeowners' Associations
  • Insurance
  • Land Use & Zoning
  • Mechanics' Liens
  • Mortgages
  • Property Taxes
  • Real Estate Loans
  • Renting & Leasing
  • Title Insurance
  • Title Litigation
  • Landlord
  • Tenant
  • Tenants' Rights

Bar Admissions

CA, Jan 1972
Bar Number: 51100

Other Court Admissions

State of California, U.S. District Court for Northern District of California, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, U.S. Ninth Circuit, U.S. Supreme Court.

Association Memberships

San Mateo County Bar, State Bar of California, and Real Property Law Section of the State Bar.

Continuing Education

I attend seminars on various issues of Real Estate and Business Law. I always greatly exceed stated hour requirements.

Example Cases

• Successful defense to a Trade Secret case filed by a business competitor
• Successful defense to a contractor's Mechanic's Lien case against a high end residential property
• Successful prosecution of an Unlawful Detainer case against a commercial software company,
negotiated a forbearance with multiple secured lenders on a commercial property pending a complicated short sale involving tax liens
• Judgment liens and support liens.

Education

Degree:

J.D.

School:

University of Wisconsin

City:

Madison

State:

WI

Year:

1970

Honors:

A+ for Third Year Honors Paper on Consumer Law.

Focus and Accomplishments:

Recipient of Ford Foundation Grant to study Consumer Law and State Consumer Agency, two year Legal Aid volunteer.

 

Degree:

B.A.

School:

Michigan State University

City:

East Lansing

State:

MI

Year:

1966

Honors:

Scholarship from Green Giant Corporation, Bachelor of Arts with Honors.

Focus and Accomplishments:

Nomination by primary professor for Woodrow Wilson Scholarship.

 

Degree:

One year toward PhD

School:

University of Wisconsin

City:

Madison

State:

WI

Year:

1967

Focus and Accomplishments:

Public Administration, Political Science Department. Internship with State of Wisconsin, Bureau of Budget and Management.

Number of Attorneys

1

State Licensed In

California

Firm Focus and History

REAL ESTATE: Defense to neighbor's boundary and easement claims, defense on litigate construction disputes, defense for homeowners to contractors' lien claims, assistant on Deed of Trust issues and stopping foreclosures, negotiating and drafting complex commercial leases, consultation regarding Landlord liability, consultation on renter's rights, advice on zoning problems, consultation on neighbor disputes, guidance on foreclosure survival and many other areas and issues.

BUSINESSES: Numerous litigated contract claims, defense of contract claims, consulting and contracting, defense of CalOSHA Claims, defense of EDD (unemployment) claims, commercial collection cases, forming Limited Liability Companies (LLCs), including miltiple types of memberships, formation of corporations, buying a business, selling a business, closing a business, independent contractor issues, small business law, small business legal information.

See my website at: http://www.MarbleLegal.com

After working for the California Legislature and a law firm in Oakland, I opened my own office in San Francisco. I later moved my office to Menlo Park. I now have offices in several key cities in San Mateo and Santa Clara County. However, in most cases, it is far more helpful and advances the case faster if I go directly to the client's home or office in order to: meet them in a comfortable setting, see their records, look at any relevant site, view any relevant physical evidence, talk to other parties, and talk to any potential witnesses.

Previous Employment Summary

In college, I was a Management Trainee for Green Giant Company and I worked in two of their factories. After graduation from college, I worked part-time and full-time for the State of Wisconsin, Bureau of Budget and Management as an Administrative Analyst. As a law student, I worked for the Attorney General's Office of the State of Wisconsin, Civil Division. I also worked for the Legal Division of the State Trade Department (State "FTC") of Wisconsin and the Legal Aid Society in Madison, Wisconsin. In California, I worked for the California Legislature and a law office in Oakland. I have had my own office for over 25 years.

Activities and Awards

Pro Bono work for Legal Aid and others. Program Chairman for 11 years at a local Rotary Club, a speaker on American History topics for service clubs, Major League Commissioner for Little League and dad of two active sons involved in sports.

What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?

I encourage self-education efforts by my clients, since a successful conclusion to either a litigated or transactional matter requires a knowledgeable attorney and a fully informed client working closely together. In cases involving large amounts of information, I encourage clients to collect, store, sort and file data, which can result in a savings on legal fees.

Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?

In certain situations and with certain people, it can work successfully.

Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?

I have not been asked in the past, so I have no experience with that situation. However, I would not coach a client in a litigated matter except on a small claims case.

Why did you decide to be a lawyer?

I wanted to provide assistance to people on important matters in a system that gave the hope of justice.

What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?

Working with the California Legislature and other government agencies gave me a feel for legal policy and working in factory jobs, sales, and businesses during college gave me an education about people. Working with many different people as a business and real estate lawyer for the past couple of decades has given me the experience essential for mature judgment and reason.

Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?

In my early years of practice, many people had an interest in real property or were involved with a business. Also, I became a real estate investor and a small business owner. It was logical for me to help focus on these two important matters: Business and Real Estate.

What do you like best about your career?

Two things - helping people on serious problems and researching law to find answers for clients.

Tell us about your law firm:

All of my clients work directly with me, which is what I prefer. However, if it is helpful for the matter, I will suggest that other professionals become involved.

What are your strengths and style?

Listening to people and explaining options to them. I understand that people can become stressed about legal matters so I make a conscious effort to be supportive, while still keeping them focused on the reality of the situation.

Personal Interests:

Family, travel, dogs, sports, and exploring the Bay Area.

Office Manager/Assistant

Assistants/Paralegals as needed by contract.

Fax

(650) 508-1113

Office Hours

Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., or by prior arrangement.

Emergency After Hours

Yes

Additional Offices

Mountain View, CA
800 West El Camino Real
Suite 180
Mountain View, CA 94041
(650) 269-4482

Santa Clara, CA
Techmart Center
5201 Great America Parkway
Suite 320
Santa Clara, CA 95054
(650) 269-4482

San Mateo, CA
Metro Gateway Center
1840 Gateway Drive
Suite 200
San Mateo, CA 94404
(650) 269-4482

San Bruno, CA
1001 Bayhill Drive
2nd Floor
San Bruno, CA 94066
(650) 269-4482

Fixed-Price Services and Fees

I am willing to discuss that possibility in certain transaction matters. I will grant an hourly discount to Nolo clients.

Hourly Rates

Varies for type of project, but I will work with clients in some situations. Generally my hourly fee is between $225 and $285. I hate to see a client lose an important right or interest due to their finances.

Free Initial Consultation?

Yes, half-hour to an hour depending upon the situation. I will give Nolo clients a free initial hour.

Typical Retainer

In almost all cases there will be a retainer, but there is no typical retainer amount since matters, people, and situations vary so much.

Understanding Fees

Nolo's Licensing Check

Attorneys have passed a licensing check. Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the applicable bar associations upon joining the directory.

Directory lawyers are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any bar association.