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Charles Jordan
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Charles Jordan
Law Office of Charles Jordan
P.O. Box 7322
Arroyo Grande, CA 93421
Phone: (805) 489-3465 | Fax: (805) 489-3465
http://www.attorneyjordan.com/
25 years experience in real estate and business law
Legal Topic
Business Law
Preferred New Clients
My preference is to help owners form their business the right way from the start, then to help keep the business running most efficiently and profitably. I prefer to serve as an ongoing and active part of the owner-manager-lawyer-accountant team.
Sub-Categories
Business Law
- Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
- Farms & Ranches
- Business Successions
- Buying & Selling
- Closely Held Businesses
- Corporations
- Directors' & Officers' Liability
- Franchising
- Joint Ventures
- Limited Liability Companies (LLCs)
- Nonprofits & Tax-Exempt Corporations
- Partnerships
- Professional Corporations
- Shareholders' Rights
- IRS Disputes
- Negotiating Payments & Settlements
- Breach of Contract
- Contract Disputes
- Contract Drafting & Review
- Employment Contracts
- Franchises
- Non-Compete Contracts
- Secured Transactions
- Mechanics' Liens
Legal Topic
Real Estate
Preferred New Clients
My preference is to help parties and real estate professionals in a purchase/sale or exchange transaction to manage the transaction efficiently and economically, and when disputes arise, to help them get the disputes resolved quickly, amicably, and cheaply, even when litigation is needed. I am a licensed Realtor, experienced in the workings of a real estate transaction.
Sub-Categories
Commercial Real Estate
- Architectural & Engineering
- Broker & Transaction Litigation
- Buying & Selling
- Construction Contracts
- Land Contracts
- Mechanics' Liens
- Mortgages
- Property Taxes
- Real Estate Loans
- Renting & Leasing
- Title Litigation
- Architectural & Engineering
- Broker & Transaction Litigation
- Buying & Selling
- Construction Contracts
- Land Contracts
- Mechanics' Liens
- Real Estate Loans
- Renting & Leasing
- Title Litigation
Bar Admissions
CA, Jun 1977
Bar Number: 74605
Other Court Admissions
All California State and Federal Courts, U.S. Tax Court
Association Memberships
San Luis Obispo County Bar Association
Continuing Education
I typically have at least 20% to 50% more general Continuing Education each year than required by the State Bar. In addition, in recent years I have taken three 5-day training sessions for Basic, Advanced, and Appellate Mediation, and three 4-hour training sessions for attorney-client fee arbitration and mediation.
Papers and Publications
I developed and then produced for several years a series of Incorporation Workshops in Los Angeles and Orange Counties, emphasizing the client's hands-on participation in the business formation process.
Example Cases
I assisted a $250-million estate with real estate and environmental litigation and numerous transactional and contract matters for over 8 years.
I represented Unocal Corporation in major environmental case: Carson Harbor Village Ltd. vs. Unocal, et al., published at 990 F.Supp. 1188 (in 1997) and at the Federal District Court (9th Circuit) at 227 F.3d 1196 (in 2000) and 270 F.3d 863 (in 2001).
I defended million-dollar U.S. Tax Court case against individual, resulting in declaration that she was an Innocent Spouse, with no tax due.
I handled business and real estate matters for one-owner conglomerate of 7 related businesses and 15+ parcels of farm and residential real estate.
Education
Degree:
Bachelor of Science -- Mechanical Engineering
School:
California Polytechnic State University
City:
San Luis Obispo
State:
CA
Year:
1967
Focus and Accomplishments:
Focus on equipment design; received Certified Engineer-In Training status.
Degree:
J.D.
School:
Western State University College Of Law
City:
Fullerton
State:
CA
Year:
1976
Focus and Accomplishments:
Focus on Business and Real Estate Law
Number of Attorneys
1
State Licensed In
California
Firm Focus and History
For over 25 years, I have been helping individuals and businesses with their business formations and operations, real estate transactions, tax issues, estate planning, lawsuits, and mediation of disputes. I am presently in solo practice with a focus on using my extensive and varied legal experience to provide in-depth legal help to individuals, business owners, career professionals, and real estate practitioners.
Previous Employment Summary
Before becoming an attorney, I worked as an engineer and contracts administrator for a major Los Angeles area oil refinery. My first 11 years in legal work was in solo practice, followed by employment with two small but well-known and respected firms: Pothier & Hinrichs in Santa Ana (for 3 years until firm closing) and Holley & Galen in Los Angeles (for 11 years until firm downsizing).
I have returned to private practice, which has included one year as managing attorney of an in-house legal department for an entrepreneur with state-wide interests.
Activities and Awards
I am presently assisting local non-profit corporations in starting and maintaining their operations and am currently serving on the Board of Directors of the South County Performing Arts Foundation.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
I firmly believe that clients should become familiar with legal issues, and I have put that concept into practice throughout my legal career. When helping clients, I frequently prepare summaries of relevant law for their information. I have spoken before groups on various occasions regarding legal issues that pertain to their common interests. I emphasize to my clients that they should take advantage of my open-door policy for quick phone consultations whenever they need briefing on unfamiliar legal issues. It is cheaper to avoid problems than to solve them.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
A significant part of my practice has always been the review of client contracts, employment agreements, real estate documents, wills and trusts, corporate minutes, and other documents. I do not hesitate to make suggestions, but I also do not hesitate to say "That looks fine" in appropriate circumstances.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
In the business and real estate worlds, most clients handle issues by themselves for the simple reason that it is not practical for an attorney to be at their side continually. I believe that part of my job is to inform them of issues pertaining to their situations, and to instill in them an awareness of legal pitfalls, so that they are prepared to handle their own affairs as much as possible.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
I became interested in law when I administered contracts during my engineering years, and I originally became a lawyer to help in that work. Later, when I saw the great need for quality help at a reasonable cost for a wide variety of clients, I left engineering for a career in helping people with their legal issues.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
In over 25 years of emphasizing business and real estate work, I have also helped clients with their issues in most other areas of law, including personal injury, divorce, bankruptcy, tax and guardianships. I also helped to start and run a real estate mortgage brokerage firm. Now I can use all of that experience to look at my clients' immediate problems in a broader view, which usually leads to better and cheaper solutions. When clients have issues that I cannot resolve, I have the background to assist them in finding other attorneys for those issues.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
I had a business and real estate background before becoming a lawyer, and I believe that I can best serve my clients by emphasizing the areas where I am most experienced and comfortable.
What do you like best about your career?
What I like best is the satisfaction of using alternative dispute resolution to help clients avoid lawsuits.
Tell us about your law firm:
I have no other members in my office. This allows me to concentrate on my clients and to give them the full benefit of my personal experience. I believe in giving personal attention to all clients and to be accessible for them. In appropriate situations, I will use associates and paralegals for some work, with the client's approval, in order to keep costs reasonable.
What are your strengths and style?
My unique strength is my broad background in diverse areas that impact on the types of legal matters that I handle. For instance, one litigation case involved engineering, petroleum chemistry, real estate documents going back to the 1920s, environmental laws and the ability to clearly deal with 7 parties, 20 expert witnesses, and several related lawsuits in state and federal courts at the same time. Simultaneously, I used my experience in administrative regulations to successfully handle a trucking litigation case and my research ability to find a solution to another client's litigation in Tax Court.
My style is open and communicative. I believe that clients should be fully informed about their matters. In return, I expect the same of my clients. I cannot do a good job for them if they do not communicate with me fully and honestly. My style is also slanted toward resolution of disputes without the cost, time, and stress of litigation wherever possible.
Personal Interests:
My personal interests are bicycling, tai chi, guitar, and model trains.
Office Manager/Assistant
None
Fax
(805) 489-3465
Office Hours
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Monday through Friday
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Foreign Languages
None
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
The only fixed-rate work I do is preparation of simple wills, which range from $95 to $150, depending on the situation.
Hourly Rates
My rate is $185 per hour. Some litigation work is billed at a higher rate. When possible, I contract with lower-rate independent paralegals for certain work.
Free Initial Consultation?
I offer a free 1/2-hour consultation on any new matter, which is usually enough time to evaluate a situation and decide whether the client can benefit from my services.
Typical Retainer
I don't usually charge a retainer on small matters. My retainer on larger matters will vary with the situation and for larger litigation issues the retainer can be quite substantial.
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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.
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