California Business Law, Asset Protection and Employer Defense Lawyers

Watkins Firm

4275 Executive Square, Suite 1020 La Jolla, California 92037 USA

 (858) 866-9706 or (866) 322-6475
 (858) 535-1581

www.watkinsfirm.com
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Law Firm Overview Free Consultation

At the Watkins Firm, we provide our clients with the services of lawyers who know the law and understand the practical consequences of legal strategies. That is why we have retained many of our clients for decades and continue to attract new clients on a regular basis. Our attorneys bring together extensive and varied experience under one roof. Our firm is led by trial attorney Daniel Watkins, who has been practicing business law in California since 1987. Transactional services are overseen by Chris Popov, who has been practicing since 1979.

We know how to work within a budget, and we understand how our clients' bottom lines impact their preferred strategies. Our dedication to communication, cost containment, timely case conclusion and effective case handling inform our approach to litigation and transactions. When you work with our firm, you can expect to receive honest advice on what to expect and monthly status letters informing you of the progress we are making on your case.

If you are initiating or defending against litigation, you should be looking not only for an experienced trial lawyer but also for a firm whose approach to litigation meets your needs. At the Watkins Firm, our attorneys provide hands-on litigation services to clients in San Diego County and throughout Southern California. We have built a record of success through diligent attention to our methods.

Practice Areas

Practice Areas Description

- Business Law / Business Formation

Our experienced business law attorneys can help you explore your options and choose an appropriate California business entity to meet your goals, including: corporations (subdivided into C and S corporations); limited liability companies (LLC); Limited liability partnerships (LLP); professional corporations (such as Medical practices); nonprofit entities; and general and limited partnerships. Business formation is not, however, just about choosing an entity and registering with the secretary of state. Many entities require the drafting of articles of incorporation, bylaws, operating agreements and other documents that can have a significant impact going forward. In addition to these formation documents, we assist new businesses with the drafting of key business contracts, including employment agreements and franchise agreements. If you are getting involved in a joint venture, it is particularly important to take steps to protect your personal assets and decide how the business or investments will be managed. Our attorneys can counsel you on how best to pursue your personal goals through appropriate business entity selection and the drafting and negotiation of agreements between co-owners or investors, such as buy-sell or shareholder agreements.

- Employer Defense

The overwhelming majority of employment litigation results from employers not addressing employee issues in a timely and effective fashion. A properly handled employment dispute can generally be resolved without any need for litigation if it is addressed soon enough. When employees have genuine complaints, good-faith efforts to address their concerns quickly, within the bounds of what the law requires, generally go a long way. When employees have misunderstandings, there are effective ways to approach them respectfully and clarify the situations that may have led to those misunderstandings. Our firm strongly believes that the effective defense of employers from employee legal actions starts with intensive efforts to resolve disputes before a complaint is filed. Of course, we are also prepared to vigorously defend your interests in any litigation that occurs. We are experienced at defending employers against both individual and class action complaints by employees.

- Asset Protection

If you have obtained a prospectus and are interested in investing in a product, venture, real estate deal or other enterprise, you may be concerned about how to arrange for the protection of your personal assets from the risks involved in any investment. At the Watkins Firm, our attorneys provide investors with skilled asset protection counsel based on a thorough understanding of California and federal corporate and investment law. To schedule a free, no-obligation consultation, contact us today at our offices in San Diego. If you are investing in any sort of business enterprise, whether as an individual or as part of a partnership or joint venture, you likely want to protect yourself and your family by screening off your personal assets from your business investments. We use a variety of structures — including estates, corporations and limited liability companies (LLCs) — to help clients protect their assets from potential risks. These risks include but are not limited to business bankruptcy and exposure to employee liability, product liability, premises liability, or any other type of commercial liability. Asset protection can also play an important role in estate planning.

- Corporate Law

Our attorneys help clients draft comprehensive agreements and corporate documents, with an eye to the future. Our goal is to minimize your liability and help you avoid litigation by carefully drafting documents, including those related to: Business formation: In addition to registering your new entity, we can help you create articles of incorporation, operating agreements and bylaws to get your business started on the right foot. We have built a network of CPAs to help you achieve your corporate goals and file proper licensing documentation with the government. Corporate governance: Our attorneys can help you draft shareholder agreements and bylaws as well as minutes for board and shareholder meetings, so you can comply with state and federal laws. Mergers and acquisitions: Whether you are buying a business or merging with another entity, we can draft your buy-sell agreements or shareholder agreements. Business dissolution: If it becomes necessary to end your business, we can help you wrap up your interests and debts. We can also help you give your business a fresh start as a new entity.

- Contract Law

When you are entering into a contract, it is important to be sure that it accomplishes your goals to the greatest extent possible. This not only means tough negotiations with the other party. It means carefully crafting an agreement that can be legally enforced if necessary and does not threaten you with excess liability. Our law firm assists clients with the drafting and negotiation of a wide range of contracts, including but not limited to the following: contracts among businesses under the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC); contracts between businesses and their customers and consumers; contracts between individuals; and employment contracts. We are familiar with the applicable provisions of California contract law, as well as federal laws that can have an impact on contractual relationships. We are experienced at drafting many different types of contracts, including those involving goods, services, shipping and real estate.

- Water Law

Our firm represents both water districts and property owners involved in water disputes. We are well-versed in a wide range of water law issues, as well as other areas of law that are relevant to our clients in this area. Common issues include: water rights and easements; issues regarding water rates; water contracts between agencies; water purchase agreements; eminent domain and pipeline issues; and water district employment issues. Whether your water district needs comprehensive general counsel services or you are looking for consultative and litigation counsel on specific issues, our firm has the flexibility to meet your specific needs, developing a personally tailored business plan for each client. Our firm is knowledgeable about water law, water terminology and current events in water policy in San Diego County, as well as regionally and nationally.

- Estate Planning

We can counsel you, based on your personal goals, on your estate planning options under California law, including the following: wills: This basic estate planning document disposes of property that has not been transferred to a trust or another person before your death, specifies your burial preferences and appoints guardians for your minor children; Trusts: A trust is a legal entity that has several estate planning uses. The most common is a revocable living trust, which allows you to retain control of your property during your life but automatically transfers it outside of probate court at your death; Powers of attorney: If you ever become incapacitated, you want to be sure that your personal and financial affairs are in the right hands. A durable power of attorney allows you to appoint an appropriate person in advance; Advance health care directives: This estate planning document conveys your wishes regarding life-sustaining medical treatment and appoints someone to implement those wishes, replacing what used to be a living will and medical power of attorney; and Probate court: We can appear in court on your behalf to execute wills and other estate documents, and take care of any other formalities needed to finalize your affairs.

- Real Estate

Our firm represents all types of parties to real estate transactions and disputes, including buyers, sellers, realtors, mortgage brokers, investors, developers, contractors and homeowners' associations. We handle a wide range of subject matter, including: purchase and sale transactions; zoning and land use issues; defects, failures to disclose and other construction issues; commercial leasing and evictions; financing, loan modification, foreclosures and short sales; and unlawful detainer, eviction and general landlord/tenant issues. Our attorneys are experienced at drafting enforceable agreements to meet our clients' needs, facilitating interactions with government agencies, and representing clients in litigation and arbitration over real estate disputes. Our firm is devoted to working within our clients' budgets and giving them maximum options when it comes to how transactions and litigation are carried out.

- Construction Law

Construction disputes are one of the most common sources of litigation in the California courts. Our attorneys are experienced at vigorously advocating for our clients' rights and interests in construction litigation, including but not limited to the following: construction defect litigation: We represent developers, contractors and property owners in litigation over alleged latent defects in construction. If you are experiencing subsidence, water intrusion or other symptoms of potential construction defects, or if you have been named in a construction defect claim, we can help; contractor disputes: Conflicts between general contractors and subcontractors or among subcontractors can have a major impact on all parties involved, including the property owner, leading to delays and cost overruns. Our firm moves quickly to effectively address construction contractor disputes; and mechanic's liens: When construction contractors and subcontractors do not get paid, they have the option under California law of filing mechanic's liens on the properties in question. Our attorneys handle the processes of filing and foreclosing on mechanic's liens.

- Science and Technology Law

Our firm represents companies involved in many aspects of science and technology, including information technology, data protection, e-commerce, biotechnology, chemical research and development, telecommunications and more. Our services include: formation of science and technology companies; relations with applicable government agencies; employee confidentiality agreements; and protection of trade secrets. We also represent employees and prospective employees of science and technology companies seeking to protect their interests with regard to the use of their inventions by their employers and other issues. The stakes are high in transactions involving potentially valuable intellectual property, which often play a central role in the formation and ongoing operation of science and technology companies. Our attorneys are attuned to these issues and can offer you skilled legal guidance.

Attorneys

Mr. Daniel W. Watkins Attorney Business and Industry

More Information on Watkins Firm

La Jolla, California Business Law Attorneys
La Jolla, CA Asset Protection Lawyers
Employer Defense Law Firm in La Jolla, California
Corporate Law Attorneys in La Jolla, CA
La Jolla, California Estate Planning Lawyers
La Jolla, CA Real Estate Law Firm
Water Law Attorneys in La Jolla, California
Science and Technology Lawyers in La Jolla, CA
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