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May 12 through May 16, 2014 is National Small Business Week. This very special week celebrating the entrepreneurs who drive our economy has been recognized by the President of the United States each year since 1963. The week provides an opportunity to recognize the sacrifices of those who take the brave steps to start their…

Documentary transfer taxes are something any small business owner needs to consider when making real estate decisions for the business. Each municipality may have different taxes, and tax codes change over time, so before making any final decisions about your business, you should speak with a licensed Oakland real estate attorney. However, the following basic…

Right now may seem like a tough time to start or own a small business. With concerns about the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) and talk of raising the minimum wage, some people may wonder if this is the right time to venture out and live a life-long dream of owning their own company. However, so…

A recent federal court ruling offers a good reminder of the many unique claims that may be made against employers by their unhappy employees. All Sacramento business owners-from established enterprises to start ups-should be familiar with their risks before trouble arises. The Situation Shaw Rahman was employed by Crystal Equation, a staffing company that assigned…

Landlords and business tenants entering into commercial leases in California should be aware of the legal issues surrounding lease renewal options. One of the best ways to do this it to examine two cases that have dealt with California commercial leases with options to extend. In Ginsberg v. Gamson, 205 CA4th 873 (2012), the tenant…

A typical commercial lease in California requires a commercial tenant to maintain and repair the leased property and not commit “waste.” For legal purposes, waste is defined as permanent harm done to real property by a person or persons in legal possession of that property, such that the property’s value is diminished. If the tenant…

Section 1954, subdivision (b) of the California Civil Code allows a landlord or property owner to enter a leased or rented dwelling to “exhibit the dwelling unit to prospective or actual purchasers.” Such entry may not be made “during other than normal business hours” unless the tenant gives consent, and the tenant must be given…

Gawker Media, LLC is an online media company and blog network based in New York City. Last summer, three former interns sued the online publisher in Manhattan federal court, alleging that it violated minimum-wage laws by requiring interns to work at least 15 hours per week without pay. The complaint, which was filed on behalf…

The startup community has been hearing a lot lately about net neutrality. What is net neutrality? Why is it making headlines? Why should should startups be worried? In the following paragraphs, we will address these questions. Net neutrality, also known as network neutrality or Internet neutrality, is the principle claiming that Internet service providers (ISPs)…

This year, California small businesses and the legal community will be keeping a close eye on how the State Supreme Court rules on major disputes over arbitration agreements. An arbitration agreement is a written agreement between two parties, designating an arbitrator — instead of a court of law — to resolve any disputes that may…