Sound Business Insights

Dan shares stories about his 40+ year career as an attorney and lessons learned along the way.  In this fascinating look into the recent past, Dan shares what it was like as a young trial lawyer in the 1980's and a few of his first cases which drew the attention of national TV audiences.  War stories provides behind the scenes look at some of his early important cases, how his success with cases n...

Your business attorney should provide more than just legal services.  They should be one of your most trusted business advisors.  In this episode, Dan discusses why it is so important to find the right attorney for your company and how the Watkins Firm works closely with our clients, many across decades. Your business attorney should be with you from formation through setting up contracts and hand...

The California Private Attorneys General Act or "PAGA" is a significant risk for employers in San Diego, Southern California and across the State.  This Qui Tam (whistleblower) type action can allow an employee or group of employees to sue their employer on behalf of the State of California and keep a lot of the money generated in the process.  In this episode, Dan Watkins shares the essence of a...

In this episode, Dan Watkins defines a fiduciary duty and what happens when a fiduciary duty is breached or violated.  When does the fiduciary duty begin?  What is a fiduciary required by law to do?  Dan Watkins provides many examples of those who legally owe a fiduciary duty to their client, business associate or other beneficiary.  This podcast discusses what is required to prove a breach of fid...

Sound Business Insights Episode 16 – Unfair Competition provides an outline of a broad area of the business and commercial code: unfair competition.  Unfair competition covers a broad range of issues from deceptive advertising  and bait and switch tactics, to misappropriation of trade secrets and false representations, to intellectual property infringement and outright fraud.  Dan Watkins provides...

Dan Watkins of the Watkins Firm discusses the importance of contracts in our new Sound Business Insights Podcast Episode 15 – Contract Law.  What is a contract?  What are the laws which govern a contract here in California?  Did you know that the drafter of a contract is presumed to be liable for any vaguery within the contract in the event of a dispute?  This is why it is so important to entrust...

In this insightful episode, Dan Watkins discusses the essence of shareholders' rights and the disputes which come out of business investments. What are some of the common tactics a shareholder should be aware of?  How can the majority interest abuse their position to take advantage of minority investors and minority shareholders?  What are the rights of a shareholder in California?  How should a s...

Mergers and Acquisitions may sound like a big term which only applies to large corporations.  However, M&A is actually one of the most common business strategies to expand a company or to grow your business into new geographic or vertical markets. What is a stock purchase and what is an asset purchase?  What is the difference between them and when should you use each strategy?  What are the risks...

In the second part of our discussion on resolving business disputes Dan focuses on Arbitration and taking a case to trial, as well as the leverage this brings to drive the case to a settlement.  What is the difference between mediation and arbitration?  What is the difference between arbitration and a Court trial? What is "The Dance" and how do Judges and Mediators use this to help the parties to...

There are many ways to resolve a business dispute.  Learn about the unique strategy the Watkins Firm employs to resolve business disputes quickly and in a cost-effective manner.  There are four ways to resolve a business dispute: Negotiation, Mediation, Arbitration and Litigation. Dan discusses the art of resolving a dispute and how we work with our clients to help them to accomplish their goals i...

In this episode of Sound Business Insights Dan Watkins discusses why it is important to have a strong corporate attorney on your team.  How have fellow members and shareholders taken advantage of their companies in the past?  What is the corporate veil and why is it so important?  You need a strong corporate attorney on your team.

In this episode, Dan Watkins provides an introduction to mergers and acquisitions, stock purchase and asset purchase transacations and the due diligence required in these deals.  What does a seller need to know?  How about a buyer?  What are the risks and the payoffs?

Dan Watkins provides an overview of our legal services in commercial and residential real estate legal issues and disputes.  Learn about a variety of real estate issues from commercial development to neighbor disputes, from "specific performance" to water challenges.  The legal team at the Watkins Firm has served the San Diego real estate community for more than 40 years.

Dan Watkins discusses legal issues and services related to medical practices and healthcare businesses.  Subjects include entity selection, California Professional Corporations, anti-kick back and regulatory compliance, contract reviews, employment contracts and documents and other legal challenges facing the healthcare industry

Dan Watkins discusses why every business owner needs to have an experienced and trusted business lawyer.  Like an olympic coach, your attorney provides sound counsel based upon decades of experience in all business matters to help you avoid risk and grow your company.  From startups to mergers and acquisitions, from contracts to disputes, Dan shares insight into the needs of a business owner and t...

Dan and Neil discuss the elements of breach of contract, damages and how things work in the real world including the responsibilities of each party.  This includes mitigating the damages if you are the victim of a breach and options for resolving breach of contract disputes

Being an employer in San Diego or anywhere in California is a minefield of federal, state and local laws and regulations.  Employers face employee lawsuits, independent contractor misclassification, and investigation by the Labor Board or another CA state agency.  This episode provides sound counsel and some guidance for CA and San Diego employers

Corporate Documents                 Articles of Incorporation               Bylaws                 Operating Agreement (LLC)                 Shareholders' Agreement (Corp) Share Ledgers / Share Certificates                 Minutes / Annual Meeting Requirements / Corporate Recordkeeping Contracts The Rule of Contracts: Contra Poferentem (Interpretation Against the Draftsman)                 Devil i...

Starting a business in San Diego or anywhere in Southern California is a lot more than simply establishing an entity.  Selecting the right entity, drafting corporate documents and providing sound counsel helps our clients to get their businesses off to a strong start. Decades of experience helping San Diego and Southern California entrepreneurs to start a business and build a successful short and...

Dan Watkins of the Watkins Firm provides an overview of the topics and legal issues to be discussed in their podcast "Sound Business Insights."   Topics to be discussed include: Starting a business Contracts and transactions Buying and selling a business Insights for employers Resolving business disputes  Breach of Contract Shareholders' Rights Legal issues for the medical and healthcare industry...