Business
We protect your rights as a business owner by advising you about the laws of establishing, running, and managing a business.
Business Entity Formation, Conversion and Compliance
Business Ventures & Partnership Agreements
Commercial Real Estate Transactions
Contract Negotiation and Preparation
Corporate Governance and Compliance
Employee Incentive Plans
Mergers & Acquisitions
Risk Management, Business Exposure Evaluation, and Entity Protection
Succession Planning
Whether you’re forming a new company, negotiating a commercial lease, or planning an ownership transition, DLHA’s Walnut Creek business attorneys work directly with owners and executives to structure agreements, maintain corporate compliance, and manage risk at every stage of the business lifecycle, from entity formation through mergers, acquisitions, and succession planning.
“We were very pleased with the responsiveness of DLHA Law Group in responding to our needs. We were on a very short timeline, but Shirley Roberson did a great job responding to our questions and providing advice on the various agreements and By Law revisions we asked her to review. With this help, we were successful in receiving a major grant to build a new Education Center at Mount Diablo State Park.
– Mike Brandy, Vice President, Mount Diablo Interpretive Association
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Not legally required, but strongly recommended. A lawyer helps you set up your Articles of Organization and operating agreement correctly, and makes sure you file the required Statement of Information on time, it’s due within 90 days of forming your LLC.
-
An LLC is a type of business structure, while an S corp is a tax status, not a separate kind of company. An LLC or corporation can elect to be taxed as an S corp, which can lower self-employment taxes for some owners, so it’s worth checking which setup fits your situation.
-
Yes. Once you sign, you’re bound by the terms, and a written contract can be enforced against you for years in California. Having a lawyer catch unfair or unclear clauses upfront is far cheaper than dealing with them in a dispute later.
-
Not mandatory, but highly recommended given how much money and legal risk are involved. An attorney reviews the purchase agreement, guides due diligence, and structures the deal to limit your liability.
-
Rates vary by experience and location. According to Clio’s 2025 Legal Trends Report, the California average is around $422 an hour, with most rates falling roughly between $180 and $550, though DLHA can confirm their own rates directly.