SERVICES

Real estate law

Real estate law governs the rights and interests of parties in real estate and real property, both commercial and residential, and provides protections for buyers, sellers, land owners, developers, contractors, and real estate agents.  Our firm provides guidance in the areas of sales, purchases, leasing and other transfers of real estate and real property; title to real property; settlement of claims against property rights; commercial landlord-tenant issues; property development; zoning, land use, easements and licenses.

Contract Law

Contract law governs the rights, duties and liabilities of persons or entities entering into a verbal or written agreement. We review, negotiate and, when necessary, litigate to enforce or defend contracts pertaining to a variety of subjects, including promissory notes, settlement agreements, construction contracts, real property leases, and services contracts.  Our firm has handled a number of litigations pertaining to contracts and our attorneys are well-versed in principles of law governing validity, interpretation, enforcement and valid defenses to contract claims.

Probate, Wills and Trusts

Our estate practice is designed to help our clients arrange his or her financial affairs so that, upon the client’s passing, the client’s assets are distributed exactly as he or she wishes and the tax consequences of distributing that property are minimized. The law of estates and trusts governs the use of certain types of instruments, such as wills, living trusts, or charitable trusts, to provide for an orderly distribution of the assets and payment of any debts or liabilities of the estate. We have experience in drafting and interpreting revocable trusts, ILITs, IDITs, QDOTs and Special Needs Trusts, among others.

In the event probate becomes necessary, we advise and represent executors and administrators of estates through the court probate process.  We also advise and counsel Trustees and Successors Trustees as to the duties and fiduciary obligations of a Trustee in administering Trust assets and represent both Trustees and beneficiaries in trust and probate litigation.

Business Law

Business law involves the practice of advising businesses from a variety of areas and sizes on their numerous legal rights, responsibilities and obligations. We advise on a wide range of legal issues for businesses, including business transactions, negotiation, drafting, and review of contracts and other agreements associated with the activities of the business.  We also provide counsel as to formations of corporate entities and advising clients which entity is most legally appropriate, as well as mergers and dissolutions of corporate entities, overseeing board of directors and shareholder’s meetings, and mergers and acquisitions.

Labor Law

Labor and employment law deals with a broad area of law that governs the rights and duties between employers and workers. Employment laws are based on federal and state constitutions, legislation, administrative rules, and court opinions. Select employment relationships may also be governed by contract.

We primarily represent employers and advise our clients on a wide variety of issues, including the legality of performing background checks on potential employees, defending against discrimination and/or wage and hour claims, and whether an individual should be treated as an employee or an independent contractor under labor and tax laws. We also advise our clients on issues relating to human resources, such as overseeing the discipline or termination of an employee to minimize the risks of unlawful actions.

Appellate Law

In an appeal, a higher court reviews the decision of a lower court, generally the trial court or an administrative agency.  Our firm is able to handle the process of civil appeals, appealing the lower tribunal’s decision. We represent clients on appeal by reviewing the entire record, including trial transcripts, evidentiary materials, and motions to determine which grounds, if any, exist as a basis for the appeal.

Entertainment Law

Entertainment law refers to a focus on providing legal services to the entertainment industry.  We advise and guide clients entering into or currently part the entertainment industry including musicians, writers and artists regarding legal and appropriate union benefits, obtaining necessary credits and royalties, copyright questions and validity of contracts, among others.