Business and Corporate Law

• Business Formation
  Our practice areas reflect the growing and dynamic regional economy. Our attorneys are recognized regionally and state-wide for their expertise in such diverse areas as land use, water, real estate, complex business litigation, sophisticated business formation and transactions and environmental law.
• Business Disputes
  Dana Suntag is available as a mediator to handle most types of business disputes. Mr. Suntag has attended the prestigious Strauss Institute for Dispute Resolution Program. Additionally, Mr. Suntag has been certified as a mediator by the Third District Court of Appeal.
• Business Transactions
  Commercial agricultural operations encompass many areas of commercial law, including the sale of goods, leasing, contract law, secured transactions, and commodity futures trading. Agricultural commercial transactions are often related to the sale and leasing of goods associated with agriculture.
• Trade Secrets
• Intellectual Property
• Unfair Competition

Employment Law

• Wrongful Termination
  In the event that litigation ensues, we partner with our Litigation Practice Group to vigorously defend our clients and to bring an efficient and successful resolution to the case. Our Employment Practice Group has broad experience representing both private and public employers in state and federal courts and before administrative agencies in a broad range of employment matters including harassment, wrongful termination, wage and hour issues, retaliation and discrimination based upon gender, race, national origin, sexual orientation, age and disability.
• Employment Litigation
  Our team specializes in environmental and water litigation, commercial contract disputes, fraud and unfair competition, trademark and trade secret protection, employment disputes, anti-trust violations, agribusiness disputes and commercial unlawful detainers. While a mid-size Central Valley firm, we have handled numerous large, complex multi-party cases in state and federal courts, often by building a team of lawyers and experts from around the country.

Property Law

• Real Estate Transactions
  Our attorneys have extensive experience in all aspects of real estate transactions, including negotiation, and documenting complex land transactions, review of title reports, and the financing of real property transactions. We also have extensive experience in negotiating and documenting commercial and agricultural leases. Our attorneys advise clients and prepare documents concerning business organization and planning for real estate development, including joint venture agreements, development agreements, rental agreement and leases. When required our attorneys also write opinion letters for financing associated with subdivision purposes and refinancing of commercial shopping centers. See the biographies of Steve Herum, Steve Crabtree, Jeanne Zolezzi.
• Land Use and Zoning

Trusts and Estates

• Estate Planning
  Finally the firm includes attorneys who are certified specialists in tax and estate planning and probate. We represent clients in all aspects of both tax and estate matters, including planning and, when needed representing clients before various tax agencies and courts. See the biography of Steve Crabtree.
• Wills
  – Preparation of wills and trusts including revocable trusts, education trusts, special needs trusts, life insurance trusts, generation-skipping trusts, charitable remainder trusts, QPRTs, GRATs, grantor trusts, QDOTs
• Trusts
  Our Attorneys have extensive experience providing clients with estate planning advice and assisting clients with the administration of trusts and estates. At Herum Crabtree Suntag
• Power of Attorney
• Probate

Finance Law

• Bankruptcy
  Our Bankruptcy department represents Chapter 7 Trustees in all matters related to their administration of bankruptcy cases including: employment of professionals, liquidation of assets, recovery of property of the estate, litigation of adversary proceedings to avoid fraudulent transfers and preferential transfers, litigation of adversary proceedings to avoid debtors’ discharge, and review and investigation of creditors’ claims.
• Tax Law
  Our business clients range include new, local start up partnerships and companies, long time local family owned companies, and regional and national Fortune 500 companies with presence in San Joaquin and Stanislaus County. This representation involves all aspects of these business activities, formation, transactional, and tax matters. Representative clients are involved in manufacturing, transportation, and personal and professional services.