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Steven D. Rubin
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Steven D. Rubin
The Law Offices of Steven D. Rubin, APC
1912 Broadway
Suite 105
Santa Monica, CA 90404
Phone: (310) 453-7812 | Fax: (310) 496-1686
http://www.rubinattorneys.com
Santa Monica, Los Angeles Business Law Attorney
Legal Topic
Business Law
Preferred New Clients
My preference is to work with individuals, start-ups and small to midsize businesses to develop strategies for developing and growing their businesses, protecting their businesses from creditors and other threats, and representing them in litigation and trial in a cost-effective manner, always mindful of the client's overall best interests. I prefer to work closely with the client and to present the client with his/her/its options, but for the client to make strategic decisions to the greatest extent possible. Even when a client tells me that he/she/it will support whatever decisions I make, I will still keep the client fully informed of every development and seek the client's informed decision-making every step of the way.
Sub-Categories
Business Law
- Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
- Unfair Competition
- Commercial Banks & Loans
- Commercial Leasing
- Business Successions
- Buying & Selling
- Closely Held Businesses
- Corporations
- Directors' & Officers' Liability
- Joint Ventures
- Limited Liability Companies (LLCs)
- Mergers, Acquisitions & Divestitures
- Nonprofits & Tax-Exempt Corporations
- Partnerships
- Professional Corporations
- Shareholders' Rights
- Corporate Income Taxes
- IRS Disputes
- Negotiating Payments & Settlements
- Property Taxes (Ad Valorem Taxes)
- Tax Filing & Compliance
- Breach of Contract
- Contract Disputes
- Contract Drafting & Review
- Employment Contracts
- International Transactions
- Non-Compete Contracts
- Secured Transactions
- Warranties
- Commercial Construction Contracts
- Construction Disputes
- Internet
- Music
- Commercial Insurance
- Directors' & Officers' Liability
- Errors & Omissions
- Computer Law
- Domain Names
- Electronic Commerce
- Business & Trade
Bar Admissions
CA, Dec 1990
Bar Number: 149975
Other Court Admissions
- State of California
- Federal District Court Central District of California
- United States Tax Court
Association Memberships
- California Bar Association
- American Bar Association
Continuing Education
Since becoming licensed, I have complied with the mandatory continuing legal education requirements of the State Bar of California.
Example Cases
In May of 2006, utilizing non-binding mediation, I helped a client achieve settlement of her claims against a condominium homeowners association for water intrusion damages. I am currently representing other clients with similar claims against condominium homeowner associations. Since 2003, I have counseled clients in the organization and reorganization of their businesses in a manner that provides increased protection against potential creditors. Since 2005, I have been counseling an increasing number of clients who seek relief from obligations stemming from commercial leases.
Education
Degree:
J.D.
School:
Pepperdine University School of Law
City:
Malibu
State:
CA
Year:
1990
Degree:
Master of Laws
School:
Georgetown University Law Center
City:
Washington
State:
DC
Year:
1991
Focus and Accomplishments:
Taxation
Degree:
B.A.
School:
University of California at Irvine
City:
Irvine
State:
CA
Year:
1983
Honors:
Cum Laude; Distinguished Student Scholar Award, 1983
Focus and Accomplishments:
Major: History
Number of Attorneys
1
State Licensed In
California
Firm Focus and History
I established my firm in 2002. The focus of my firm is to provide very personal and accessible legal representation to individuals and businesses that seek an attorney with whom they could develop a personal relationship that goes beyond the attorney-client relationship.
My business focus includes organizing and operating business entities such as corporations and limited liability companies; tax and business planning for such entities; drafting buy-sell agreements, shareholder agreements, operating agreements, employment agreements, independent contractors agreements, non-compete agreements, non-circumvention and non-disclosure agreements, software licensing and maintenance agreements and similar agreements.
Previous Employment Summary
Associate, Goldfarb, Sturman & Averbach, Encino, CA, 1993 to 1994; Associate, Levinson, Miller, Jacobs & Philips, Century City, CA, 1994 to 1995; Associate, Reynolds & Associates, Century City, CA, 1995-1999; Partner, Reynolds & Rubin, Century City, 1999-2000;
Activities and Awards
I am acting General Counsel to the Universal City North Hollywood Chamber of Commerce; I am acting General Counsel to the Unatti Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds to provide food, shelter and education to the multitude of orphaned and underprivileged children of Nepal.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
I think it is wonderful when clients take it upon themselves to be educated on legal issues, provided that he or she reviews what they have learned with a competent attorney, not only to verify the accuracy of what they have learned, but to understand the greater context that inevitably surrounds what they have learned.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
I am happy to review documents prepared by clients.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
I do not coach clients who want to represent themselves. There are so many variables and factors that go into a client matter that it is too easy for "coaching" to be innocently misapplied when used by the client outside of my knowledge and control.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
I enjoy the intellectual challenges and the opportunity to help others in a significant way. I enjoy the one-on-one relationship that I have with my clients.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
Education helped me become a lawyer. Work experience helped me hone my skills as a lawyer. However, it is the ability to listen to my clients and really understand their needs - not just legal but emotional - that I believe makes me a better lawyer. It is often easy to know and apply the law. It is much more challenging to know and apply the law in a manner that takes into account the client's mental and emotional needs while achieving the client's legal objective. Humility, life experience, and knowing how to listen play an important role in being a "better" lawyer.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
Before entering law school, I worked in the health care field. It was while working in the health care filed that I observed that lawyers seemed to play a pivotal role in assisting businesses, and business people achieve their goals and visions. When I entered law school, I focused on those areas that appeared to have a direct and immediate application to the needs of businesses. Since law school, I have continued down this path. Helping business people achieve their goals and resolve their problems is a very gratifying experience for me.
What do you like best about your career?
What I like best about my career is the feeling of helping others.
Tell us about your law firm:
Our paralegals and legal assistants speak fluent English and Spanish. This is important since many of our clients speak primarily if not exclusively Spanish. We try to foster a feeling of family and community at our law firm since we believe this leads to the most comfortable work environment and therefore to the most productive employees.
What are your strengths and style?
It is every lawyer's responsibility to be hardworking, competent, and possess the skills needed to get the job done right. What I believe is my unique strength is the high amount of empathy I bring to my client's legal and personal affairs. What I believe to be my unique expertise stems from being both a "transactional" and a "trial" lawyer. My "courtroom" experience helps me structure transactions and prepare documents with an understanding of how these transactions and documents will look to a judge or jury in the event of a dispute. My "transactional" experience helps me as a trial lawyer because when you know how transactions are structured, you are better able to develop successful trial strategies with this knowledge.
My style tends toward the informal. Although I have the utmost respect for the rule of law, judges, opposing attorneys and for our system of civil law and justice, my manner is by nature somewhat relaxed and I believe this helps my clients relax, especially during difficult times, such as hard-fought negotiations or during trial.
Personal Interests:
I play guitar, write music and spend time with my family. One day, I look forward to riding across the country on a Harley-Davidson.
Office Manager/Assistant
None
Fax
(310) 496-1686
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Foreign Languages
Spanish
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
I will agree to fixed-price services and fees on a case-by-case basis.
Hourly Rates
$350
Free Initial Consultation?
1.Free:
Up to a 15 minute telephone consultation scheduled in advance.
No documents reviewed. The specific facts of your case NOT discussed. This is a general discussion to determine whether our firm can handle your case.
2. NO FREE IN PERSON CONSULTS.
3. $350 Telephone:
Up to a one hour telephone consultation but must be paid in advance.
Documents provided in advance along with the payment will be reviewed. The specific facts of the case WILL be discussed.
4. $350 In person meeting:
Up to a one hour in person consultation paid in advance
Documents provided at or in advance of the meeting will be reviewed. The specific facts of the case WILL be discussed.
Typical Retainer
$1,500 to $5,000, depending on (i) whether the retainer is for litigation and (ii) the complexity of the matter.
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.
