Areas of Practice


Business & Corporate Formations

 

Legal Support For Your Business It's impossible to run a business without qualified legal support. From the formation of a company to drafting contracts to selling shares, many of the core functions of any company are closely regulated and require the services of an experienced lawyer. At Walker & Reed, P.C., serving the San Francisco Bay Area, San Jose and Silicon Valley, the Monterey Bay and Northern California, our lawyers have years of experience addressing every aspect of business law. Whether you're the founder of a small startup or running an established company, we will draft the language in contracts and other essential documents that can help you avoid litigation and other distractions in the future. Conduct Transactions With Confidence We offer practical solutions to establish, grow, and sustain your business ventures. Our attorneys regularly provide business advice with a focus on the specific needs and opportunities facing your company, and we offer a wide range of services including: Formation of business entities including corporations, LLCs, and partnerships Commercial transactions, including the sale of assets Ongoing corporate and/or partnership governance Purchase and Sale agreements including buying and selling business Shareholder and partnership agreements Operating and management agreements Asset purchase agreements Shareholder, partner, and member buy-outs Commercial real estate Commercial leases Business contract matters Mergers and acquisitions Business litigation


Real Estate Law

 

Commercial Real Estate Transactions Residential Real Estate Transactions Real Estate Negotiate Transactions Real Estate Leases Sale of Real Estate Purchase of Real Estate Landlord Issue Real Estate Litigation   Walker and Reed has extensive knowledge in the principles of real estate contract law. We will help you navigate the legal contracts, leases and purchase agreements for all your real estate transactions including real property purchases, sales and leases. For rental property, multi-family and commercial landlords and owners, we will provide assistance for all your legal needs. From drafting your documents, reviewing of leases, assisting in negotiating and closing transactions, we work closely with real estate brokers, accountants and financial advisors to facilitate a positive outcome. Real Estate Advice For Property Owners And Renters Northern California, especially San Francisco and Silicon Valley, is one of the nation's hottest real estate markets, which means that renters and property owners across the state face many risks and many opportunities. Walker & Reed, P.C., can assist in both commercial and residential real estate transactions — whether it's a rent dispute with your tenant over a studio apartment or the sale of a large commercial building. With new laws in place for property management, Walker & Reed can help review management agreements, update leasing agreements, and advise on tax planning for property owners, stakeholders and partners for both their single-family home rentals and multi-family rental properties. Our real estate attorneys routinely draft documents, negotiate transactions, and advise clients with respect to real estate leases, including complex commercial leases. We also assist our clients with numerous types of real estate transactions, including the sale and purchase of real estate, forming partnerships to hold title, landlord/tenant issues, and related matters. We can also be an advisor and sounding board for property owners and real estate agents needing legal assistance in the California rental market to provide impartial advice as to if the ownership of rental property should be individual or part of a family business. Set The Terms When You Buy Or Sell A Home It's no small feat to buy a house in California's expensive real estate market, whether it's a home or an investment in your future, or both. Because property is so expensive in Northern California, it's crucial to draft precise legal documentation that helps both buyer and seller reach a fair price. We advise sellers in purchase agreements and sale agreements, review buyer's comments, and counsel the seller as to acceptable changes. We will also assist purchasers to review the title condition of the property, negotiating documents presented by the seller, and aid in the closing process. Lawyers Do What Real Estate Agents Can't Unlike some states, California does not require the involvement of a lawyer in all real estate transactions. But a lawyer provides services that a real estate agent cannot, and can make sure that a transaction's significant paperwork is all in order. Residential real estate often requires drafting contracts, writing, reviewing and negotiating purchase agreements, legal contracts and closing agreements. Walker and Reed assists our clients with strategic legal advice from years of experience helping our clients close multi-million dollar residential real estate transactions. Commercial real estate can involve determining the best way to hold title to real property, structuring joint ventures, and forming limited liability companies and partnerships. A real estate counselor can provide an independent view for legal issues surrounding construction and development projects. Investors, owners and brokers need to understand and navigate land use issues, zoning, permits, along with local and county environmental issues and laws. We assist real estate clients in all of Northern California including San Jose, Silicon Valley, the San Francisco Bay Area, the Monterey Peninsula, Palm Springs and La Quinta in both residential real estate and commercial real estate transactions.


Civil Litigation

 

Defend Your Interests In The Courtroom Sooner or later, a legal dispute will arise at any business — either internally, or with partners and rivals in your industry. In some cases these disputes can be resolved through negotiation or arbitration, but some disagreements run too deep to find a compromise outside of the courtroom. The business litigation attorneys at Walker & Reed, P.C., can help you achieve the outcome you're seeking in business-related disputes in the San Francisco Bay Area and across Northern California. Whether you're a small startup or an established company, we offer the personalized attention needed to interpret and respond to the facts of your case in order to stand up for your interests in court. When Agreements Change Unexpectedly No contract is written in stone. Even entities forming partnerships in good faith may part ways sooner than planned, as the context in their industry and the overall economy fluctuates. When a party breaks a contract, or defaults on a promissory note, or relations break down among partners or shareholders, it may be time to call a civil litigation lawyer. Walker & Reed, P.C., represents both clients seeking to break contracts and those seeking to maintain existing agreements. We have represented clients in a wide range of commercial and civil litigation disputes, including: Antitrust Business torts Contract and joint venture disputes Corporate governance Fraud and unfair competition disputes Insurance coverage Mergers and acquisitions Securities Trade secret disputes Representations and warranties Homeowners' associations Real Estate Litigation Resolve Contentious Real Estate Issues Through Litigation In the high-stakes world of California real estate, legal disputes are practically inevitable. Sometimes these disputes can be resolved through negotiation or arbitration, but some disagreements can only be settled through litigation. At Walker & Reed, P.C., serving the San Francisco Bay Area, San Jose and Silicon Valley, the Monterey Bay and Northern California, our real estate litigation attorneys can help you navigate the litigation process to achieve the outcome you're seeking. For the multi-family and apartment landlord, the owner of a single home or multiple commercial properties, we'll provide sound legal advice tailored to the details of your case. Legal Support For Every Possible Real Estate Dispute We have decades of experience helping our clients manage their property and standing up for their property rights in legal disputes. We represent clients facing real estate litigation issues including: Landlord tenant issues: eviction proceedings, rent control violations, and other residential property disputes Eminent domain and easement enforcement, including valuation disputes and partition hearings Real estate construction disputes involving contractors or subcontractors Disputes regarding real estate purchase agreements and sale agreements Real estate development disputes related to land use and zoning Foreclosures and bankruptcy Title disputes including those related to property boundaries, trespassing, and nuisance Property management Real estate brokers and agents Homeowners' association disputes affecting communities governed by HOAs and covenants, conditions, and restrictions. Environmental audits Subsurface rights related to water and minerals under your property


Competitive ESports

 

Walker and Reed provides legal counsel for the growing business of electronic sports. We represent our clients in with the legal and ethical issues regarding eSports law, governance, regulations, gambling, team creation, sponsorship, insurance, investment, intellectual property, contracts and online streaming. As a professional gamer or a league team member, legal issues can develop that need an attorney with experience in eSports law. With years of legal experience, Hansen P. Reed provides sound legal advice for the growing business of eSports. Hansen was a speaker at the recent eSCon USA, eSports Conference in Los Angeles discussing eSports legal requirements, partnerships, sponsorship, players, team formation and eSports publishers. Recent Articles about eSports Law


Estate Planning, Wills & Trusts

 

Estate Planning, Trusts and Probate   Trust Development and Administration Wills and Probate Living Wills Advance Health Care Directive Medical Power of Attorney Financial Power of Attorney Estate Litigation Transfer of Ownership Asset Protection   Estate and asset protection is essential in planning for your family's financial future. Walker and Reed provides the expertise needed to create a sound legal plan to include a trust and administration of the trust to avoid time-consuming probate and litigation. Our attorneys understand the need for a full life plan that includes living wills, medical and financial powers of attorney, and Advance Healthcare Directives. Each family situation is different and we work to find a plan that suits your needs for now and future generations. Contact us for more information on how we can provide the best legal advice and counsel for your estate plan considering both federal and California laws. Servicing clients in Northern California including San Francisco, San Jose and Silicon Valley and the Monterey Bay Area.


Employment Defense

 

Legal Advice for Employers   Handbook and Policies Discrimination and Harassment Employment Contracts Wrongful Termination Classifications Exempt Independent Contractors Severance Arrangements   Employers need representation and solid legal advice when it comes to employee matters. Our attorneys will provide counsel on drafting employee policies and handbooks that adhere to current federal and state employment law. We assist employers draft their employee classifications, compensation and severage packages. We represent our clients in cases regarding wrongful termination, discrimination and harassment providing investigations and litigation. Contact Walker & Reed for all your employment legal needs.