Legal Things to Know as a Business Owner in California

Building, developing, and operating a business is complicated. As a business owner in California, there are a lot of legal issues that can arise. Lynnette Ariathurai is an experienced business law attorney who is committed to providing solutions-focused legal support to entrepreneurs. If you have any questions about a specific business law matter, please do not hesitate to contact us at our Fremont law office for a confidential initial consultation.

Legal Considerations Before Signing a Commercial Lease

Many companies rent commercial space to operate. It is crucial that you ensure that any lease agreement that you sign effectively protects your rights and interests. Some key legal considerations to keep in mind before signing a commercial lease include the total cost of rent (base price, utilities, etc.), the rules regarding alterations or improvements to the property, common area maintenance (CAM) charges, and renewal/early termination options.

Minimizing Debt Transfer When Purchasing a Business

If you are preparing to buy or acquire another company, you need to carefully consider its debt load. In some cases, buying a business could mean taking on its debt. The good news is that there are legal strategies you can use to help minimize the automatic debt transfer associated with a business purchase, including negotiating specific terms with the seller in an effective contract, and completing an asset purchase.

Business Formation: California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA)

The California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) is an expansion of the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), enhancing privacy rights and consumer protection for residents of California. It introduces new obligations for businesses regarding the collection, use, and sharing of personal information, including stricter data minimization, purpose limitation, and consumer rights such as correction and opt-out of automated decision-making, as well as providing written notice of the companies policies.

Can Another Business Steal Your Employees?

California is an at-will employment state and non-compete agreements are largely unenforceable. As such, a competing business can do a lot to recruit your employees. However, active, large-scale “raids” against your workforce may be unlawful. As a business owner, there are strategies that you can use to protect the talent that you trained and developed from leaving for a competing firm. Still, there are only limited legal protections for employers.

Resolving Employee Disputes Before You are Sued

For businesses, the relationship with employees matters. A lawsuit from an employee could cause major headaches for your company. Do not let a dispute with an employee linger unaddressed. With a proactive approach and the help of a California business lawyer, you may be able to resolve the dispute before any legal action is taken. More importantly, making sure your company is compliant with California labor laws can avoid the potential dispute.

Schedule a Confidential Consultation with Our California Business Lawyer Today

Lynnette Ariathurai is a skilled, experienced business law attorney. If you have any questions about a California business law matter, please contact us today to set up your confidential initial consultation. We provide solutions-focused legal services to business owners throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.