We provide business & real estate owners with clear legal strategies
About us
Trusted Los Angeles Business Lawyer
Founded in 2016, The Law Office of Eric J. Proos, P.C. is a boutique firm that concentrates on business and real estate transactions. Led by veteran Los Angeles business lawyer Eric J. Proos, our team brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to every matter based on years of experience. We take a client-focused approach to the law, working closely with you to create customized legal solutions that help you reach your unique needs and goals.
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REAL ESTATE LAW
Protecting Your Property Interests
Even if you have experience in real estate deals, each transaction has its own set of regulations that can be challenging to navigate. Luckily, at the Law Office of Eric J. Proos, P.C., we are highly experienced in California real estate law and can assist you in reviewing a real estate transaction to ensure that everything is done properly.
I was inspired to become a lawyer after my family experienced work-place violence first-hand, which left us and the other victims with minimal legal remedies. Even though the desire to figure out why my family could not be helped didn't transpire into my practice area, the personal nature of my "why I became a lawyer" impacts how I work with clients dreaming of starting a business, running an established business, or buying and handling real estate on a daily basis.
I'm also a Detroit area native who made the cross-country drive to Southern California four days after graduating law school. Early on in my career, I worked at law firms representing businesses and individuals in transactional and litigation matters, but knew I could be helping people more, so I took my skills and started The Law Office of Eric J. Proos in 2016. My firm differs from traditional law firms in that we take a modern approach intertwined with the classic legal principles, to ensure clients feel comfortable and not dread getting on a call or meeting with their legal counsel.
I thoroughly enjoy working with new and experienced business owners and real estate professionals and investors. I see every client as a new relationship that deserves the trust and respect of your deepest friendship and above all, I love seeing my clients succeed in reaching their dreams knowing I had just a small part of helping them on their journey.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
We created this FAQ section to provide you with answers to more general business law questions in California. However, at The Law Office of Eric J. Proos, P.C., our Los Angeles business lawyer can answer questions related to your case. Please call us at (424) 421-5114 for more specific answers to your important questions.
A limited liability company is an entity that provides protection from creditors like a corporation while having the informality and pass-through tax status of a partnership. The two essential documents for a California LLC are the Articles of Organization, which is a form you file with the Secretary of State, and the Operating Agreement, which is a written agreement between the LLC members and/or manager detailing how the company is operated. This is not a public document.
You need to create a California LLC, or register your out-of-state LLC if you formed it in Delaware or another jurisdiction, if the entity conducts intrastate business in California. An LLC is especially appropriate for holding real estate or companies with relatively few owners.
It can’t be recommended enough. While it is legal to start a business without one, an experienced Los Angeles Business lawyer can be an incredibly valuable asset. An attorney can help determine which type of business entity is the most suitable, help draft contracts and articles of incorporation, help obtain necessary permits and licenses, and more. Just the benefit of having someone there to respond when questions or issues come up out of the blue cannot be understated. An experienced business attorney in Las Angeles, California is one of the best investments a business owner can make.
If you are facing a business dispute, you should consult with a skilled Los Angeles business lawyer before taking legal action. Mediation and arbitration are alternative dispute resolution methods that can help a business settle a dispute without litigation. In mediation, a neutral third party or mediator helps the opposing parties come to a mutual agreement. Mediation is often favored because it is cost-effective and quick.
Arbitration is similar to mediation in that a neutral third party (or arbitrator) is brought in to resolve the dispute. However, arbitration is more formal than mediation and the decision of the arbitrator is final.
In short, taxes. The majority of large, publicly held corporations are C corporations. Some corporations are eligible to file an election (Form 2553) that will let the corporation be taxed under rules that are more like that of an LLC. Corporations that use this type of taxation are S corporations. Only certain corporations meet the tax requirements to become S corporations. If C corporations pay their shareholders dividends, the corporation will face double taxation. A C corporation will pay taxes on its profits before paying out its dividends to the shareholders, and the shareholders will then have to pay taxes when filing their individual tax returns. S corporations are not subject to double taxation as long as the requirements are met, and the shareholders are protected from corporate debts.
Joint ventures and partnerships share certain characteristics. A joint venture is a sort of partnership where two or more entities join together for a particular “short term” purpose. In both partnerships and joint ventures, each partner has equal ability to legally bind the entire entity. A partner can represent the entire organization in the normal course of business and his or her legal actions on behalf of the joint venture or partnership create legal obligations.
Although the powers of individual partners in a partnership or joint venture can be limited by agreement, such agreements do not bind third parties. Because business contacts outside of the partnership may have no knowledge of the limitations, they may be entitled to rely on the apparent authority of an individual partner as determined by the usual course of dealing or customs in the trade.
If you're planning to buy real estate in California, it's essential to know the distinctions between commercial and residential properties. Commercial real estate is for businesses while residential real estate is for living. However, commercial properties are more stable and sell more effortlessly than residential properties. Moreover, commercial properties are more costly compared to residential ones due to the high demand for space that can be leased or sold.
I have known Eric for a while now. Being a professional CPA and well versed in tax code and the like across industries, Eric and I communicate frequently on topics as it relates to law and tax/accounting side of starting a business, running a business, and some not so straight forward industries. Eric knows his way around it all. I have referred many of friends and colleagues to Eric and none have been disappointed and have also referred friends. I have used him myself on many different fronts, from Demand for Payment letters, corporate structure questions and setting up businesses, helping to set up and navigate the vast world of real estate, and reviewing offer letters and partnership agreements He is young, yet knowledgeable, and hungry to satisfy both his quest for knowledge and his client's request, no matter how big or small.
Mike G.
I’ve know Eric for years, but just recently started working with him on a professional level. In addition to being an amazing business/real estate lawyer, Eric also has a vast network of professionals that he works with such as real estate brokers, CPAs, financial advisors, etc. As a small business owner myself, I know the importance of having your clients trust in you and the services you provide.
Suraya N.
Earlier this year, I needed advice on business formation, and Eric was recommended to me by a mutual colleague. From our first interaction, it was clear that he knew exactly what he was doing.
As a fellow attorney, I am usually quick to detect when someone is pretending to be something they're not...that is not so with Eric. He is highly skilled in the area of business litigation and is able to answer the tough questions you may have in order to help you navigate this very tricky area of the law.
I would recommend his firm to any professional colleague or individual in need of business law advice.
Michael G.
I had a really great experience working with Eric. I was referred to him by a close friend to advise on the sale of our family business. He guided us through the definitive purchase agreement and fought hard to get us the best outcome and achieve all our goals in the sale. Eric was very professional and extremely attentive to all our questions and concerns. Whenever we called, he would always answer. My family and I would highly recommend Eric to anyone seeking sound legal advice and professionalism. Thanks Eric!
Akash T.
I highly recommend Eric’s legal services, his knowledge and experience with business law helped us take our company to the next level. During a high growth period, we needed someone who was extremely communicative and willing to walk us through the process so that we knew we were taking the right steps with our business.
Lisa I.
The fact that I (an attorney) retained Eric to represent me in a civil case speaks volumes about his character as an attorney. He is very knowledgeable, trustworthy and effective.
Vahag F.
Eric Proos is an exceptional lawyer. In the course of my career being in business for myself over 12 years, I’ve had over 15 lawyers/firms on retainer, 10 of which were focused specifically on business law and real estate. Eric has been far my favorite to work with. He has the perfect combination of both high IQ and high EQ. He is fair in his billing and he is an excellent communicator. He is also very efficient relative to most lawyers I have worked with and has a good grasp of technology. As a 2x venture funded founder/entrepreneur this last part is really important, because as you grow and scale every dollar spent counts and you want to be sure it is spent well. Eric is one of the few lawyers I’ve had that I expect to work with for the rest of life and I highly recommend working with him.
Ryan A.
I would highly recommend Erik as an attorney for any real estate related transactions. Eric‘s exceptional work ethic and responsiveness makes him stand out among others. He is incredibly hard-working and efficient, and his dedication to his clients needs is unparalleled. I have personally worked with Eric, and can attest to the fact that he makes the process seamless for his clients. With Erik handling your real estate transactions, you can trust that you will be in capable and reliable hands.
Nicholas O.
Eric communicates well, is efficient and his work result is precise and accurate. I would trust Eric with my future business matters.