Corporate Law: Business Formation & Organization

We can offer expertise and experience to assist you with the many decisions that are necessary in forming and organizing a new business, or in re-organizing and managing an established business. We can explain the legal differences between the various forms of business entities that are available to you, as well as the relative advantages and disadvantages of each. We will assist you in selecting the type of business entity that you feel best fits your needs.

We can advise you on the formation and operating aspects of your corporation, partnership, limited liability company, limited partnership, professional service corporation, or joint venture. We are experienced in advising clients on organizational and liability issues associated with these various types of business arrangements, and can assist you in negotiating and drafting related agreements and documents. To this end, we draft legal documents required for starting a new business, including documents required to comply with Washington State statutes, and documents required annually to maintain your company with the state on an ongoing basis. We can also advise you on how to structure your relationships with other principals of the company.

We also assist our clients in preparing various documents required under corporate law or for particular types of transactions on an ongoing basis. Examples include drafting business leases, purchase and sale agreements, key employee contracts, non-competition agreements, stock subscription agreements, minutes and resolutions for shareholders' meetings, meetings of the board of directors, and other legal documents and matters.

Business Contracts and Transactions

Business activity, innovations, growth and dynamic change present a business with both diverse opportunities and challenges. We can help you structure your business transactions, contracts and relationships in a manner that assists you in accomplishing your business objectives within a framework that meets your risk parameters. We have assisted our clients in structuring and negotiating development agreements, licensing agreements, distribution agreements, contracts, and other business arrangements.

Real Estate Law

We can assist you with your questions regarding real estate law and other matters relating to real estate.

We provide a broad range of legal services to clients related to ownership, development and management of real estate. Our practice includes commercial, industrial, office, and residential developments, construction, leases, and other real estate interests. We draft and review documents related to real estate transactions including real estate contracts, purchase and sale agreements, deeds, easements, lease agreements, tenancy-in-common agreements, restrictive covenants, condominium offering and association documents, mortgages, promissory notes and other documents.

We also represent our clients in civil cases and administrative hearings involving real estate purchase and sale transactions, developments, contracts, title disputes, landlord-tenant disputes, contracts including rights of rescission, earnest money agreements, covenants, eminent domain, condemnation proceedings, adverse possession claims, partition lawsuits, construction litigation, timber trespass, condominium disputes, and other instances where our clients interests have been damaged or impaired by the actions or negligence of others.

Construction & Land Use

Our clients include real estate brokers and agents, as well as developers and private individuals seeking to buy or sell property. We can assist our clients with legal questions relating to construction and land use and can draft documents relating to subdivision and development of real estate. We also review site plans and zoning regulations and restrictions, and can provide permitting assistance. We can assist you with preparation of construction contracts between owners, architects, engineers and contractors; and address issues that arise before, during and as a result of construction, including bids, performance bonds, liens and retainages.

We are familiar with and can assist you with a range of complex issues, including legal considerations of shoreline management, wetlands and other environmental issues, the Washington State Growth Management Act, and other restrictions.

We also represent owners, developers, general and sub-contractors, suppliers, architects, engineers, property inspectors and other parties in construction and real estate disputes.

Intellectual Property, Trademarks & Copyrights

Your creative work and intellectual property can comprise your most important and valuable asset. We can assist you in negotiating, registering, protecting and defending your intellectual property rights, including trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, and rights to creative assets. We have successfully represented clients in registering trademarks, contractual arrangements, drafting licensing agreements, and litigating disputes relating to intellectual property.

Because patent law is highly technical in nature and requires specialized knowledge, we do not act as patent counsel for our clients. However, we know attorneys who specialize in and have a broad base of experience in patent law who we can recommend to you.

Noncompetition Agreements

We draft noncompetition agreements for businesses covering key staff. We also provide legal counsel and representation regarding the enforceability of such agreements.

Civil Litigation

We have successfully represented our clients in civil litigation in a broad range of areas. We have also assisted our clients in resolving disputes through cost-effective alternative procedures, including mediation.

In addition to personal injury, property disputes, and cases involving contracts between individuals, we represent clients in many different types of business disputes that can arise with vendors, competitors, customers, among partners, and with other persons. We also represent owners, brokers, developers, general and sub-contractors, suppliers, and other parties in construction and real estate disputes.

Personal Injury

If you have sustained a personal injury as a result of the actions or negligence of others, we can assist you as your representative in seeking compensation for your loss. Due to their specialized nature, we do not handle medical malpractice or social security claims. Please contact us to discuss the particular nature and circumstances of your injury. If we think your case can be better handled by an attorney who specializes in a particular area of law which pertains to your injury and personal circumstances, we will recommend them to you.

Landlord and Tenant Law

We are experienced in representing both landlords and tenants. We draft leases, prosecute and defend evictions and unlawful detainer actions, and provide other legal counsel. Please contact us to discuss your specific legal needs.

Notary Public

We provide notary public services.