Skip to main content
510-794-9290

Tag: Business Law

Business legal services in Silicon Valley

Quick Tips Before Signing a Contract

On behalf of The Law Office of Lynnette Ariathurai, A Professional Corporation posted in Business Formation & Planning on Wednesday, December 16, 2015.

A business contract isn’t just a piece of paper. It’s a document that explains who you are doing business with, what type of business will be conducted and much more.

What is the person’s reputation in the industry? How has the business dealt with past deals? What is their reputation?

Consider the following factors before you sign an agreement:

  • Read the full agreement. This seems simple. However, all too often individuals sign agreements without reading the terms and conditions. If there is language that seems subjective or unclear, have an attorney review it with you and suggest amendments.
  • Know who’s involved in the contract. Who does the contract include? What parties will be held liable if there is breach of contract? Be sure the contract clearly identifies all parties.
  • Be aware of the length of the agreement and how it affects business. Make sure the actual length of the contract is clearly identified within the contract. If the contract is going to be renewed, how will that be handled? If the terms for the length of the contract are unclear, you can have an attorney assist you in making that language clearer.
  • Know your rights. Know what you are entitled to under the contract and what you are required to deliver. What happens if something goes awry? An attorney can draft terms in a contract to protect you from risks of liability and help you get what you bargained for from the deal.

While you may not consider working with a lawyer for drafting and signing a simple contract, the reality is that a lawyer can help save costs for disputes that could arise in the future. The time and money you spend, upfront, can ultimately be much more cost-effective. Consider how legal contract representation could benefit your situation.

Business Law, Contracts, tips on contracts

Business legal services in Silicon Valley

It Takes Time to Organize a Successful Business Merger

On behalf of The Law Office of Lynnette Ariathurai, A Professional Corporation posted in Mergers & Acquisitions on Thursday, May 17, 2012.

Businesses make use of a number of strategies to expand or diversify their business. One of these strategies is a business merger, which brings two or more businesses together as one. In many cases, a business merger occurs when one business is to the point where they need to sell their business because they simply cannot afford to continue running it. However, this isn’t always the case, such as with a recent merger of two businesses in California.

Westinghouse Solar Inc., out of San Jose, and CBD Energy Inc, from out of the country, have announced a business merger as of May 9. The merger, which was approved by both companies’ board of directors, will take effect sometime within the third quarter of this year. It will take place after certain conditions regarding closing have been met and once all shareholders have approved the transaction.

A business merger is not something that occurs overnight. It took several months for these two companies to come to agreement on merger conditions. However, it can often take longer than a few months for two companies to find an agreement that is substantially beneficial for both companies. There are numerous meetings, discussions and it takes incredibly hard work to make a business merger really work.

Understandably, problems can arise with a business merger. Therefore, it is often beneficial to understand one’s rights under California law to ensure they are protected both as an individual and as a business. After months of hard work, a business merger that fails can be devastating. By taking steps to ensure success, a business merger can likely be obtained quickly, efficiently and equally beneficial for every party involved in the transaction.

Source: Market Watch, “Westinghouse Solar and CBD Energy Sign Definitive Merger Agreement,” May 9, 2012

Business Formation & Planning, Business Law, California, Mergers