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31 Mar, 2022 by Paige
I contacted Wade Law Group for assistance with a small claims suit. I have worked with Brett and Dave McGraw, both have been dedicated, helpful, and have gone above and beyond to meet my expectations. Dave has provided effective legal advice and detailed explanations about the process as well as developed a plan for my hearing. Dave has gave me confidence in my abilities and quelled my anxiety. If I ever need representation or consultations again in the future, Wade Law Group will always be my first and only choice.
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10 Jan, 2022 by Dave
A leader, innovator and most importantly, a terrific lawyer. No one wants to need an attorney, but when you do need one, Amiel Wade is the one to call.
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27 Jun, 2021 by Patricia cent
I hired Mr. Wade to expedite my divorce after being with an ill-prepared attorney for 1 1/2 years in which I didn't get past the discovery stage. I got quick results with Mr. Wade and my divorce was finalized after 4 months. His support staff quickly responded to all my emails and returned my calls. Mr. Wade is very experienced and knowledgeable and found an error in a filing by my ex-spouse's attorney and took immediate action on her behalf which saved me money and didn't prolong the divorce proceedings. He is involved in all the cases in his firm. Every Wednesday he conducts a meeting with his associate attorneys to consult and monitor their progress and provides them with his expert advice when necessary. Hopefully, I won't need Mr. Wade in the future but if I do, I would retain his services again because I was very pleased with his work and professionalism. Patricia Cent
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13 Aug, 2012 by Sean
I am a CFP and besides using him personally I have also recommended Pat to clients for core estate planning documents. He work ethic, attention to detail and reponsiveness really set him apart.
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07 Jul, 2012 by Frances
Patrick walked us through all our options and helped us best manage our estate planning. He made himself available by email, phone, and in-person contact.
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04 Jul, 2012 by Matthew
Patrick did an excellent job for me. He was very knowledgable and efficient with my matter. I highly recommend him
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26 Jun, 2023 by Lyle hopper
We have used Mike for a number of legal issues , personal and business for 30 years always excellent service -great representation !!!!
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07 Mar, 2019 by Ed
My wife and I cannot say enough good things about Michael. He is so learned in what we needed. He was most professional and really cared for us. He was direct!! (I loved this!) He was empathetic and kind. You need a lawyer ... give him a call.
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03 Sep, 2013 by Ray
I have worked with Mike off and on for over 7 years. Each time, he was extremely knowledgeable and spoke to me in a way I could understand. As a software company Founder/CEO, I needed to have quick representation around the legal pitfalls in my daily business life. Mike was there every time I needed his advice. I would highly recommend Mike Millen.
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17 Jul, 2014 by Roco
Mr. Sullivan is very knowledgeable on complex tax issues. He has a very good rapport with the IRS and they seem to respect his experience and expertise. He has been practicing I think more than 30 years and has handled some of the most influential and wealthy individuals in Silicon Valley. He has done a great job for me.
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10 Aug, 2024 by Dan romo
Judy Douglass was great to work with. She helped me navigate the ins and outs of probate and she made a difficult time a bit easier. Judy was informative, helpful and compassionate. I highly recommend Judy Douglass to establish a trust, health directives and probate needs.
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10 Aug, 2024 by E o
Judy recently provided legal services to my family and we are extremely satisfied with the entire experience. Her work product is of the highest quality. When selecting an estate planning attorney, experience was a top priority for us, and Judy has been in practice for decades. We value and trust Judy's expert legal guidance -- and her kind, friendly personality is a bonus. It was a joy to work with Judy.
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08 May, 2024 by Katie murphy
Do not hesitate in reaching out to Jordan Magnan! Jordan is very knowledgable and responsive. She offered me good legal advice and was very pragmatic (so important with family law!). My only regret is not finding this firm sooner. If you want to feel like an individual and not just a case number, this is the firm for you.
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28 Aug, 2024 by Levi davis
Wade Law Group’s handling of my business partnership dispute was a disaster from start to finish. I sought their help when I was being pushed out and needed to recover my equity. Despite providing all the necessary documentation upfront, including the operating agreement and financial statements, their incompetence quickly became apparent. For seven weeks, my attorney at Wade Law Group engaged in fruitless exchanges, sending threatening letters based on California law and drafting a lawsuit complaint. Only after all this time did I discover that my attorney hadn’t even read the operating agreement—a crucial document in any partnership dispute. This neglect led us to almost violate the agreement by bypassing mandatory mediation and filing the lawsuit in the wrong state. Predictably, my former business partner exploited these errors, leaving me with a much weakened case and a significant financial loss. After incurring over five figures in legal fees, I made the decision to terminate our relationship. I requested a meeting to discuss the situation, but my attorney not only ignored my request but also responded rudely when I followed up. Eventually, the firm’s owner reached out and offered a partial refund for drafting the complaint in the wrong state. However, the amount he offered was far less than what I had actually been billed, forcing me to go line by line through the invoices and finding the correct amount was five times higher than what he claimed. I then posted a review of my experience on Yelp, and the owner reached out and offered me a full refund of over $8K in exchange for removing the review and signing a contract agreeing not to post additional reviews about my experience with the firm. When I pointed out that this felt unethical and possibly illegal and proposed that I edit the review to give credit for the refund, he withdrew the offer, falsely claiming that I had rejected it.
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26 Aug, 2024 by Daniel feldman (daniel j feldman, phd)
These people are rude. And they can't read. I set up a consultation with them, but they canceled before even talking to me and told me that my trial is in three weeks when it's not. They didn't read anything about it, have the nerve to not even meet with me or have a discussion, followed with "best of luck on everything" which is just more insulting, absolutely insulting. i am sorry I called.
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20 Aug, 2024 by Mark shen
They provided services so poor that they even mixed up my name with the person I’m trying to sue in the demand letter, and their justification for that was “oops, but pay us”
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06 Mar, 2024 by Mike mcbull
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21 Apr, 2022 by Shannon guevara
I would highly recommend Stacy Remer for your needs?? She is 100% willing and able to get it done for you? You will not be disappointed guaranteed? Have known her for 40 plus years? So, if you want the Best Lawyer in the Bay Area to get your Divorce taken care of?? Call Stacy Remer!!! 100% Guaranteed Jobs Done!!
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11 Jun, 2021 by Zak reape
She was quick, helpful, and supportive with my case. I could not have asked for a better lawyer. Definitely recommend her!
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17 Sep, 2023 by Nancy eiger
We did not have a good experience with Ms. Carney. It is as difficult to even speak with her. She hired another attorney to assist with my mother’s estate who was horrid. This attorney was hostile to my sister and myself and wracked up charges. I would not recommend this law firm.
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18 Jun, 2022 by Edward katz
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11 Jul, 2018 by Linda chang
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06 May, 2018 by Erin g.
We can NOT say enough GREAT things about Douglas Barnes as a TRUST Attorney. Mr Barnes took care of our family TRUST and gave us ideas and things to think about. We had saved a "dime" YEARS ago and had some "good deal bafoon" write up a so called "Trust" that ended up not worth the paper it was written on and Attorney Douglas Barnes was able to fix this wrong, make it CORRECT, and he was worth EVERY SINGLE PENNY! Attorney Douglas Barnes is also an attorney who can go to court if our family Trust is ever questioned and he can defend our wishes, where OTHER Trust Attorneys can not always do. Something to think about when planning your Estate and wishes for after you are no longer here! GREAT GREAT GREAT hands to be in at the Offices of Douglas Barnes!
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25 Jan, 2013 by Anonymous
I had an unsatisfactory experience in estate planning with Mr. Barnes and his office. I don't feel he invested effort enough to understand my circumstances, but responded in a "cookie cutter" way with generic advice that turned out to be inappropriate for me. The estate package he crafted was far too complicated and not only failed to achieve my goals but in part contradicted and undercut them. Quality of staff work was very poor: copy and paste errors in estate documents; spelled my name wrong in documents. I found him to be unresponsive to questions either by phone or email - until my new lawyer contacted him, which received immediate response. Please note that I don't question Mr. Barnes' integrity or knowledge. Rather that he didn't work hard enough to understand what I wanted; communicated poorly; and at the time his office staff were really a problem (maybe this has been fixed since then, I can't say). By contrast I'm profoundly happy with the attorney I replaced him with.
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FAQs
Questions? We have answers

What a Business Lawyer Can Do for You

A business lawyer provides critical legal guidance and support to entrepreneurs, startups, and established businesses. Whether you are forming a new company, drafting contracts, or navigating complex regulations, a business attorney ensures you are legally protected and operating within the law. They can also help prevent legal disputes or represent you in negotiations, transactions, or lawsuits that arise during the course of business operations.

Business lawyers have expertise in areas such as business formation, contract law, intellectual property, employment law, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate governance. They ensure that your business is compliant with relevant laws and help mitigate risks that could threaten your company's success.

When Should I Hire a Business Lawyer?

Hiring a business lawyer is essential at various stages of business development, including:

  • Forming a business: When deciding on the best structure for your company (LLC, corporation, partnership, etc.), a lawyer can guide you through the registration and compliance process.
  • Drafting contracts: If you need contracts for employees, partners, suppliers, or clients, a lawyer ensures these documents are legally sound and in your best interest.
  • Mergers, acquisitions, or dissolutions: If you are buying, selling, or dissolving a company, legal counsel is critical to avoid costly mistakes.
  • Compliance and regulatory issues: A lawyer can help navigate complex regulations, particularly in industries like healthcare, finance, or tech.
  • Resolving disputes: Whether it's contract disagreements, intellectual property infringement, or employment issues, a business lawyer helps mediate, negotiate, or litigate on your behalf.

What Does a Business Lawyer Do?

Business lawyers provide a wide range of services that cater to different legal needs of a business. They can:

  • Help you choose the best legal structure for your business.
  • Draft, review, and negotiate contracts with employees, suppliers, customers, or business partners.
  • Ensure regulatory compliance with local, state, and federal laws.
  • Advise on tax strategies to minimize your business's tax burden.
  • Assist with intellectual property protection, such as trademarks, patents, and copyrights.
  • Handle mergers, acquisitions, and business sales, ensuring all legal paperwork is in order.
  • Resolve disputes through negotiation, arbitration, or litigation.

How Are Business Lawyers Paid?

Business lawyers typically charge either by the hour or on a flat-fee basis, depending on the complexity of the work. Common payment structures include:

  • Hourly rates: The lawyer charges based on the time spent working on your case. Rates vary depending on the lawyer's experience and location.
  • Flat fees: For certain tasks, such as incorporating a business or drafting a standard contract, a lawyer may offer a flat fee.
  • Retainer: Some businesses may hire a lawyer on retainer, paying a fixed amount each month to have ongoing access to legal services.

The payment structure is often discussed during an initial consultation so you can choose the one that best suits your business needs and budget.

How Much Does a Business Lawyer Cost?

The cost of hiring a business lawyer depends on factors such as:

  • The complexity of the legal issue: More complex matters, like mergers or intellectual property disputes, typically cost more than routine tasks like contract drafting.
  • The lawyer's experience and location: More experienced lawyers or those in larger cities often charge higher fees.
  • The nature of the billing arrangement: Hourly rates can range from $150 to $1,000 or more, depending on the lawyer's expertise. Flat fees are usually available for simpler matters like forming an LLC or drafting a standard contract.

It's essential to discuss fee structures upfront to avoid surprises.

Top Questions to Ask a Business Lawyer

Before hiring a business lawyer, ask the following questions during your consultation:

  1. What is your experience with businesses like mine?
    Find out if the lawyer has handled legal issues for companies in your industry.
  2. What services do you offer?
    Ensure the lawyer can meet all your business's legal needs, from contract drafting to dispute resolution.
  3. What are your fees, and how do you bill?
    Get clarity on how you'll be charged - whether by the hour, flat fee, or retainer.
  4. How do you handle conflicts of interest?
    Ask how the lawyer ensures there is no conflict in representing your business.
  5. Can you provide references from other business clients?
    Speaking with past clients will give you an idea of the lawyer's expertise and professionalism.
  6. Do you have experience in my specific industry?
    Industry-specific knowledge can be crucial, especially in highly regulated fields like healthcare or finance.

How to Check the Credibility of a Business Lawyer

To ensure you're hiring a reputable business lawyer:

  • Check state bar association records: Verify that the lawyer is in good standing and has no disciplinary actions against them.
  • Look for client reviews or testimonials: Online reviews, testimonials, or word of mouth from other business owners can provide insight into the lawyer's reliability and effectiveness.
  • Ask for references: A credible lawyer should have satisfied clients who can vouch for their services.
  • Check professional memberships: Membership in respected legal organizations (such as the American Bar Association or a local business lawyer association) can signal credibility.
  • Review their website and professional profile: A well-established lawyer typically has a professional website showcasing their areas of expertise, credentials, and case success.

What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?

To make the most out of your first consultation with a business lawyer, prepare the following:

  • A description of your business and its structure: This will help the lawyer understand your legal needs.
  • Any current contracts or agreements: If you're seeking contract advice, bring copies of existing contracts.
  • A list of legal issues or concerns: Be ready to discuss any potential legal challenges, such as regulatory compliance, disputes, or transactions.
  • Financial documents: If applicable, bring financial records related to the legal matter you're seeking help with.
  • Questions about fees and billing: Ensure you understand the lawyer’s payment structure and fees upfront.

By preparing these materials, you can ensure that your first meeting with a business lawyer is productive and informative.