Tulare Corporate Law Lawyer

Corporate law in California can be deeply complex, with many areas for error that can lead to avoidable costs. If you are looking to start a corporation or are currently on the board of one, a Tulare corporate law lawyer can help you with the required legal paperwork. A Tulare corporate law attorney can manage the legal side, while you can focus on building your company.

Our team at Fishman, Larsen & Callister has spent years helping businesses in Tulare and throughout the Central Valley with their corporate law cases. Our team has over 90 years of combined legal knowledge and experience, which we can use to assist with your corporate law matters.

California is one of the economic capitals of the world, ranking as the world’s 4th largest economy. Part of this strength may be due to the number of businesses registered, with 1.7 million private sector businesses registered here in 2023. Additionally, California is home to the most Fortune 500 corporations of any other state in the country. When navigating this landscape, it’s important to understand how corporate law may apply to your company.

Corporate law encompasses the formation, management, and merging or dissolution of corporations in California. Corporations are businesses that are legally separate entities from their owners. Corporations in California come in the following categories:

Managing or creating a corporation is already challenging enough without handling legal matters on your own. Hire a corporate law lawyer who can advise you throughout your business operations. Your Tulare corporate law attorney can review documents, negotiate contracts, and be there for large milestones such as mergers or acquisitions.

Corporate law cases can take many forms, with countless factors changing on a case-by-case basis. The following are a few specific case types and services your Fishman, Larsen & Callister corporate attorney can provide:

Formation

Every corporation formation starts with filing Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State. The exact document you submit depends on the type of corporation you wish to form. You can submit the appropriate article online, via mail, or in person at the Business Programs Division of the Secretary of State, located at 1500 11th Street, 3rd Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814.

After submitting the Articles of Incorporation, there are still many steps left to take. These include appointing a registered agent, drafting corporate bylaws, creating the board of directors and holding the first meeting, issuing stock to shareholders, and filing a Statement of Information within 90 days. Each of these steps can be dense and time-consuming.

Our team at Fishman, Larsen & Callister can guide you through the necessary paperwork and actions. We can advise which type of corporation to choose that matches your business interests, what to include in the bylaws, and help with other necessary elements for your corporation’s foundation.

Corporate Management

Once you have an active corporation, there are countless corporate law matters, big and small, that require attention. Some common daily operations your corporate lawyer can manage include:

Acquisition & Mergers

Joining two businesses together can be one of the most complicated corporate law procedures. An acquisition involves buying and absorbing another company, whereas a merger is the dissolution of two separate corporations to make a new legal entity. Both proceedings require extensive work.

The first aspect we can help with is the investigation into the other involved company’s financial records, employment records, and its assets. This is an important step to avoid either overpaying for another business or for clarity in a merger.

Another key aspect of the process we can aid in is negotiations between the separate boards of directors and shareholders. We can draft new proposals and represent your interests through the various discussions.

Q: How Much Do Corporate Lawyers Cost in California?

A: How much your California corporate lawyer costs depends on the details of your company, the complexity of issues, and the work hours required. A large-scale merger will, in general, cost more than a small corporation filing Articles of Incorporation. Another consideration is the type of pay model. Whether your attorney bills hourly, as a retainer fee, or a flat charge for certain actions can all change your final costs.

Q: Are Corporate Lawyers Legally Required in California?

A: Corporate lawyers in California are not legally required, but are highly recommended. The interlocking, often confusing nature of corporate law can cost hours, days, or weeks of work to navigate alone—time that could be spent growing your corporation. Even a simple review and update of a contract with a creditor can be a time-consuming issue. Your Tulare corporate attorney can be a vital asset when conducting business in California, bringing insight into corporate law.

Q: What Is the Difference Between a Business Lawyer and a Corporate Lawyer in California?

A: The main difference between a business and corporate lawyer in California is a matter of scope and focus. Business lawyers work with all types of companies, whereas a corporate law attorney is primarily concerned with corporations. Business lawyers tend to deal with NDA’s and IP, while corporate lawyers negotiate mergers, franchising, and deals with creditors. The two often have an overlap in knowledge.

Q: What Are the Benefits of a Corporation vs an LLC in California?

A: The benefits of a corporation vs an LLC in California depend on your business interests. One advantage of corporations is that they have a formalized, set management structure that is clear. Another positive aspect of corporations is that they can issue stock, allowing for investors and equity compensation to employees. A third advantage to corporations is the clear separation between owner and company as legal entities, allowing increased financial flexibility for the business.

At Fishman, Larsen & Callister, we have the knowledge and experience in corporate matters that can assist your case.

Contact us today for an initial consultation where we can learn about your business needs and provide potential pathways forward. You may also visit our Fresno office—located on North Fresno Street next to Kaiser Permanente Fresno Medical Center, off exit 134 of Yosemite Freeway.