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As a California attorney focused on business and real property transactions, I often see the word material appear in contracts—frequently, and often with significant implications. But what does it actually mean in practice? And why does it matter so much? This post...

Myth #1: Posted 4/15/25 “I don't need to register my work with the Copyright Office; all I need to do mail it by myself”. Reality: No, mailing your work to yourself has no legal effect at all. The copyright law in the US is very clear that in order to sue someone in...

We’ve all heard any number of “Urban Myths”, such as there are alligators living in the sewers in New York City and Little Mikey from the “Life” cereal commercial died because he mixed Coca-Cola with pop rocks. There are plenty of widely-held general legal myths too:...

If you’re starting a new business in California, one of the first decisions you'll face is where to form your legal entity. It’s not uncommon for entrepreneurs to hear that states like Delaware, Nevada, or Wyoming offer “better” benefits—lower taxes, more privacy,...

In the sale of a small business, contingencies are conditions that must be met before the transaction can close. The seller of a business usually has chosen to go to market to sell the business and are focused on finding a buyer who can afford their desired purchase...

If you’re forming a new California corporation or LLC—or doing business with one—it’s critical to begin with the California Secretary of State’s Business Search tool, found at https://bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov/search/business. This free online resource provides basic...

As a California business attorney, I often tell clients that good recordkeeping is more than just smart business—it's also a legal asset. One of the clearest examples of this is found in California Evidence Code Section 1271, which governs when business records may be...

This article is an apolitical discussion focused solely on practical business concerns. The goal is to help small business owners understand what tariffs are, how they can impact business operations, and what considerations should be made from a legal and operational...

When it comes to maintaining a California business entity, the Statement of Information is one of the simplest and most routine filings required by the Secretary of State. But despite its simplicity, this form can carry significant legal weight, both in how it...

When entering into a contract, whether you're a small business owner or an individual, you want to ensure that all terms are clear, fair, and legally enforceable. While most people focus on the core terms of a contract—such as price, services, and obligations—there’s...