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Steven Mehlman
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Steven Mehlman
Mehlman TerBeek LLP
2125 Oak Grove Rd.
Suite 125
Walnut Creek, CA 94598
Phone: (925) 935-3575 | Fax: (925) 935-1789
http://www.mehlman-terbeek.com
Business Lawsuits, Transactions & Formation
Legal Topic
Business Law
Preferred New Clients
I prefer to work with anyone with a contractual or business dispute or litigation.
Sub-Categories
Business Law
- Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
- Commercial Banks & Loans
- Commercial Leasing
- Mortgages & Foreclosures
- Savings & Thrifts
- Liquor Licenses
- Buying & Selling
- Closely Held Businesses
- Corporations
- Directors' & Officers' Liability
- Franchising
- Joint Ventures
- Limited Liability Companies (LLCs)
- Mergers, Acquisitions & Divestitures
- Nonprofits & Tax-Exempt Corporations
- Partnerships
- Professional Corporations
- Shareholders' Rights
- Trade Associations
- Breach of Contract
- Contract Disputes
- Contract Drafting & Review
- Employment Contracts
- Franchises
- Non-Compete Contracts
- Secured Transactions
- Uniform Commercial Code
- Warranties
- Commercial Construction Contracts
- Construction Defects
- Construction Disputes
- Dangerous Property
- Mechanics' Liens
- Art
- Communication & Media
- Internet
- Tourism, Travel, & Leisure
- Bad Faith
- Casualty Insurance
- Commercial Insurance
- Directors' & Officers' Liability
- Errors & Omissions
- Fidelity, Guarantee, & Surety
- Health Insurance
- Insurance Malpractice
- Insurance Subrogation
- Life Insurance
- Motor Vehicle Insurance
- Property Insurance
- Creditor's Rights
- Garnishees
- Judgments
- Locating Funds
Bar Admissions
CA, Dec 1980
Bar Number: 95881
Other Court Admissions
California State Court, Northern and Central District of California Federal District Court, 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit Court of Appeals
Association Memberships
California State Bar, Contra Costa County Bar Association
Continuing Education
I regularly meet the continuing education requirements.
Example Cases
As a managing partner at Turner & Mehlman in Walnut Creek (1995-2002), I have represented clients in transactions that involved commercial and residential leases, property purchases, construction contracts, option contracts, employment contracts, business purchases and sales, as well as entity formations for partnerships, joint ventures, corporations, LLCs and LLPs.
Litigation cases have included neighbor disputes, real estate non-disclosure, construction defects, soil movement, land use, breach of contracts, lease disputes and evictions, boundary disputes, business torts and collections.
I have also handled appellate work, and represented creditors in the bankruptcy courts.
Education
Degree:
B.A.
School:
University of California, Berkeley
City:
Berkeley
State:
CA
Year:
1976
Honors:
Highest honors in political science, great distinction in general scholarship and Phi Beta Kappa
Focus and Accomplishments:
Double major in Communications/Public Policy and Political Science
Degree:
J.D.
School:
University of Michigan
City:
Ann Arbor
State:
MI
Year:
1980
Honors:
Cum Laude
Focus and Accomplishments:
Fellowship from Ford Foundation and a Masters at the same time.
Degree:
M.A.
School:
University of Michigan
City:
1980
State:
MI
Year:
1980
Focus and Accomplishments:
Public Policy
Number of Attorneys
5
State Licensed In
California
Firm Focus and History
Mehlman TerBeek LLP, a full-service law firm based in Walnut Creek, California, was established in October 2002, by Steven J. Mehlman and Marc L. TerBeek.
The firm provides transaction and litigation legal services in four principal practice areas: business law, real estate law, divorce & custody and litigation.
We founded Mehlman TerBeek to offer professional and superior representation at reasonable rates with cost-effective transaction and litigation methods.
Previous Employment Summary
I began my law practice in San Francisco and performed complex litigation involving some of the largest cases in the country, including antitrust cases and securities fraud matters.
I worked at Furth, Fahrner, Bluemle & Mason in San Francisco (1980-1983); Matthew B. Weinberg Professional Corporation in San Francisco (1983-1990); and Grant & Sternberg in Walnut Creek (1990-1995).
Activities and Awards
I believe strongly in community service and currently serve on the Contra Costa Planning Commission. I am also an active member of the Board of Directors of the Land Committee for Save Mount Diablo, a non-profit land trust. I have served on the City of Walnut Creek Planning Commission (1989-1996), Walnut Creek Transportation Commission (1984-1989) and Contra Costa Transit Authority Citizens Advisory Committee (1985-1989).
With my experience in city and county planning and the law, I have developed substantial expertise in land use, from both legal and practical perspectives.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
I think that it is a good idea that the clients should be knowledgeable; and as counselors of law we try to educate our clients in the beginning at the initial consultation and throughout our representation of them of their matter.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
Yes.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
Yes.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
It is an intellectually stimulating endeavor and satisfying process to help people accomplish in a legal matter the business transactions that they are trying to achieve and trying to help them resolve disputes when transactions go awry.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
Obtaining a masters degree in Public Policy provided me with analytical tools, including statistics cost benefit analysis economics cramming and land use which are not typically possessed by other lawyers.
In addition to my education experience, I have served as both a city and county planning commissioner and a director of a non-profit land trust; which has provided me with unique ability to work with governmental planning bodies on land use matters.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
I sold advertising when I was in college and worked with a lot of new business entrepreneurs. As a result, I personally believe that small businesses are the backbone of our free enterprise system.
I find it exciting and professionally satisfying to help small businesses to succeed.
What do you like best about your career?
The variety of legal issues I deal with given the many avenues which my clients are engaged in to make a living.
Tell us about your law firm:
My partner, Mark TerBeek, is both an aggressive litigator who thinks out of the box and finds creative solutions and tactics to achieve superior results for our clients.
Our family law attorney, Cynthia Hannon, is a very experienced family law practitioner. She is good at helping clients determine how to best resolve difficult personal situations; and then assist them throughout the court process to achieve a good result for them. If there are children, she will also achieve what is in the children's best interest as well.
Our associate litigators, Thomas Hund and Timothy A. Walker, are both experienced litigators who consistently achieve results for our clients.
We also employ two experienced certified paralegals who perform tasks for a reasonable rate then other law firms that use junior attorneys to do paralegal work.
My chief of staff is J.J. Smith, who is a retired naval Chief Petty Officer, and who helps our office run a tight ship.
What are your strengths and style?
My unique strength and expertise is achieving a high percentage of favorable settlements without going to trial unless necessary.
The firm employs both aggressive litigation, as well as tactics depending on the individual case. In regards to the parties and attorneys on the other side, the firm can utilize either aggressive litigation tactics or work cooperatively with opposing counsel to achieve a desirable result in a cost effective manner.
Personal Interests:
I enjoy tennis, kid's competitive soccer, bicycling and hiking.
Office Manager/Assistant
J.J. Smith
Fax
(925) 935-1789
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
We do take after hour appointments. Our voicemail is automatically forwarded to my cell phone.
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Foreign Languages
None
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
We have fixed prices for small, closely held corporations and LLC's. Flat fees on a case by case basis.
Hourly Rates
$275 for partners and $250 for associates. They are all very experienced attorneys.
Free Initial Consultation?
1/2 hour free initial consultation.
Typical Retainer
It depends on the case. The range is $1,000 - $5,000 on transactional matters and $5,000 - $7,500 on litigation cases and divorces.
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.
