Business Lawyer Practicing Franchise Law, Securities Law, and Corporate / LLC Law

Matt Dickstein, Business Attorney, provides business legal services in the San Francisco Bay Area and the Silicon Valley, California, including San Jose, Palo Alto, San Francisco, Oakland, Hayward, Fremont, Walnut Creek, Pleasanton and Sacramento.

Since 1994, I have been practicing business law, corporations & LLC law, securities law (including private offerings / placements), franchise law, real estate investor law, mergers and acquisitions, and exit and succession planning.  I work with small to mid-size companies in all industries and at all stages of a company’s development, from start-up to IPO or sale. 

My Philosophy

I make legal matters simple and efficient. I build long-term relationships with my clients, who view me as a trusted legal  advisor. For most business transactions, I charge flat rates – this helps you budget your legal expenses.

My practice includes:

Business Law.  If you need an attorney for business / legal transactions, please see my webpage, Business Lawyer.  I can help you with venture capital and other equity financings, joint ventures, buy-sell agreements, intellectual property licensing and protection, loans and security for loans, contracts of all types, and many other matters of business law.

Corporations & LLC Law.  If you need help with your corporation or limited liability company (LLC), please see my webpage, Corporate (LLC) Lawyer.  I do incorporations (including close corporations) and I form LLCs.  I advise clients on various operational issues for their corporations and LLCs, including shareholder / member disputes.  I also help clients decide whether they want to form a corporation or LLC in the first place, including whether the protections are worth the cost.

Securities Law.  If you have securities law issues, please see my webpage, Securities Lawyer.  My securities law work includes:

*  Limited offerings and private placements of securities under Regulation D, Rules 504 and 506, both with and without a PPM. 

* VC rounds of financing. 

* Setting up private real estate investment funds (but not funds that invest in securities / paper). 

* Setting up and implementing stock option plans, restricted stock plans and phantom stock plans.

Franchise Law.  If you need help with franchise law, please see my webpage, Franchise Lawyer.  I represent Start-Up Franchisors with the structuring of your franchise system.  I help Existing Franchisors with your ongoing compliance and legal housekeeping.  I also help Franchisees with your purchase of a franchise.

Buying and Selling Businesses (M&A) and Exit Planning.  If you are in the market to buy or sell a business, please see my webpage, M&A Lawyer - Business Sales & Exit Planning.  I represent clients in the purchase or the sale of a business - this is mergers & acquisitions work.  I also help clients with your succession and exit planning, so that you can leave your business for maximum dollar.

Real Estate Investor Law.  If you are a real estate investor, please see my webpage, Lawyer for Real Estate Investors.  I structure your real estate ventures, including real estate investment funds and real estate corporations, LLCs, partnerships and joint ventures (syndications).  I also handle evictions, purchase & sale of real estate and commercial leases. 

China Practice

I am fluent in Chinese and have worked extensively on legal transactions in the People’s Republic of China, including joint ventures and the formation of offshore holding companies and PRC operating companies (for example, Cayman Island parent with a WFOE and domestic subsidiary in China).  I also represent Chinese companies that expand to the United States.  If you are interested, please go to my Chinese page, 中文.

Call me to schedule a legal consultation: 510-796-9144