News
The 2013 Business Symposium Podcasts
April 3, 2013
San Luis Obispo — If you were not able to attend the event, the three presentations are available below as podcasts and as PowerPoint presentations. The order of the speakers were: Simon Anderson, Don Vilfer, and Jeff Thompson.
| Transform your business today. Simon Anderson, Futur1st.com |
| Security from the inside out in a digital age. Don Vilfer, Califorensics |
| Success begins with resiliency. Jeff Thompson, PEAK Learning, Inc. |
The Mobilehome Park Owners' Spectrum
February, 2013
By Lisa L. Toke
Published in the WMA Reporter, February 2013
Lisa L. Toke of Andre, Morris & Buttery has been representing mobilehome park owners in all capacities since 2004, when she joined the firm’s mobilehome park practice group. The services Lisa provides include consultation, revision of park documents, and representation in court and administrative proceedings. While Lisa loves to take cases to court, she also loves to save her clients time and money by resolving disputes outside of court.
In the years I have been representing mobilehome park owners, I have developed a theory regarding the different approaches owners take to their parks. On one end of the spectrum are the owners who focus on their residents to the detriment of their parks, referred to here as Group R. On the other end of the spectrum are the owners who focus on their parks to the detriment of their residents, referred to here as Group P. And the rest of the owners, referred to here as Group RP, are somewhere in between.
Before I wrote this article, I would have predicted that Group R would have the lowest attorney’s fees, because the residents in this group are treated so well by their owners that they don’t have anything to complain about. Read on to find out if that is the case.
We can all agree that money makes the world go around, so it is not surprising that money, in the form of rents, is probably the most important issue to owners and residents alike. Rents are, therefore, the area in which the differences among the groups are most apparent. When I first meet with an owner and ask about the rents in his park, it is a sure sign that he falls into Group R if he tells me, often sheepishly, that he has not increased them in years. If I ask why, he will offer a number of reasons but the bottom line will be that he feels badly about doing so. When about the rents in his park, it is a sure sign that he falls into Group P if he tells me his primary focus in life is to increase rents as often and by as much as possible. Of course, the Mobilehome Residency Law and local rent control ordinances limit the frequency and amount of rent increases, but Group R owners don’t even give their residents the increases to which the owners are entitled under the law. Group P owners, on the other hand, not only give their residents every increase to which they are entitled, but they come up with ways to give other increases to which they may or may not be entitled. This is not to say there is anything wrong with giving residents every increase to which the owners are entitled, just that Group R owners take a different approach to rent increases than Group P owners.
The difference in approaches taken by the different groups is also apparent in how the owners deal with violations of park rules and regulations. I have literally had a Group R owner tell me a resident had been violating a particular rule for fifteen years and the owner had not sent the resident one letter about the violation, let alone a seven-day notice. When I asked why, the owner said he did not like confrontation and kept hoping the violation would go away on its own. I have also had more than one Group P owner ask me to prepare a seven-day notice to a resident for an easily remedied violation without discussing the violation with the resident verbally or in writing. I believe the most prudent course of action, usually followed by Group RP owners, is for the owner and/or the attorney to discuss the violation with the resident and serve a notice if the discussion does not result in a resolution.
Because Group R residents are accustomed to being treated so well by their owners, they can become upset and mutiny if things change. One Group R owner, for example, had never passed a single capital expenditure through to the residents of his park, and they became so upset when he did so that they filed a failure to maintain lawsuit against him. Group P owners, on the other hand, always seem to be locked in some sort of battle with their residents, and battles, not surprisingly, generate attorney’s fees. I would therefore encourage all owners to fall into Group RP, somewhere in between Groups R and P. Such owners avail themselves of the (few) benefits to which they are entitled under the law, seek legal advice when necessary, and focus on their residents and their parks, rather than one to the detriment of the other.
Click here for PDFAndre, Morris & Buttery Named “Top Ranked Law Firm” by Fortune Magazine
January 8, 2013SAN LUIS OBISPO – Longtime local law firm Andre, Morris & Buttery (AMB) has been named a “Top Ranked Law Firm” by Fortune Magazine. Fortune Magazine is a preeminent business publication renowned for its “Fortune 500” annual ranking and other business specialties.
The honor is extended to U.S. law firms whose attorneys have achieved the highest rating available from the LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell Peer view RatingsTM. All of AM&B’s rated attorneys have been recognized with the top score of “AV Preeminent,” by Martindale-Hubbell, the industry-recognized attorney ratings service. Attorneys receiving AV status have been ranked at the highest level of professional excellence by local judges, attorneys and other peers in the legal community.
AMB Managing Principal Kathy Eppright said the newest accolade topped a year of growth for the firm that included the addition of well-known Southern California litigator Gordon Bosserman to AM&B in an Of Counsel role. “It is exciting to end the year on a high note and with an honor that recognizes the excellence of our attorneys,” she said.
Andre, Morris & Buttery has been serving the Central Coast since its founding 65 years ago. The Central Coast’s largest law firm caters to the needs of business with a range of practice specialties including Civil Litigation, Business and Real Estate Transactions, Employment Law, Environmental and Land Use, Hospitality, Wine & Agribusiness, Estate Planning, Trusts and Probate. The firm has offices in San Luis Obispo and Santa Maria.
“Super Lawyer” Gordon Bosserman Joins Andre, Morris & Buttery
Accomplished litigator brings talents to Central Coast firm
December 7, 2012SAN LUIS OBISPO – Well-known Southern California trial attorney Gordon Bosserman has joined Andre, Morris & Buttery in an “of counsel” role. The opportunity to work with a leading law firm and live on the Central Coast drew Bosserman, an accomplished litigator, and his wife, Jennifer to relocate to San Luis Obispo County. He began his association with the firm on Dec. 1.
Bosserman was most recently a partner at Spolin Cohen Mainzer and Bosserman LLP of Los Angeles, specializing in trial practice before federal and state court and agencies. While at the firm, Bosserman was recognized as a “super lawyer,” a Thompson-Reuters rating that awards the honor based on outstanding peer recognition and professional achievement measures. Other prior employment includes a stint at the prestigious Baker & McKenzie law firm, where he was an international partner.
Bosserman’s choice of Andre, Morris & Buttery owes in part to his longtime association with AM&B principal Jim Buttery. The two have been friends since they were young associates in a small firm in Los Angeles, and according to Buttery, the timing worked out ideally as Bosserman sought to move at the same time AM&B was expanding its litigation work. “Everything aligned for a right time, right place, right choice decision,” said Buttery. “We couldn’t be happier to add Gordon’s talents to our firm.”
Bosserman has extensive bench and jury trial and arbitration experience in employment law. He has tried cases involving race, age, gender and disability discrimination, “whistle-blower” claims, sexual harassment and hostile environment workplace cases, among others.
Bosserman also has deep experience in cases involving lawyer malpractice, fraud, breach of contract, real estate broker malpractice, breach of oil and gas leases, unfair competition and more. He has tried insurance cases under healthcare law as well as extensive experience with class action defense.
Bosserman was admitted to practice law in California in 1975. He holds a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of California Los Angeles, where he was also a member of the Bruins football team. He earned a law degree from Loyola Law School of Los Angeles in 1975. He is also a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA).
Andre, Morris & Buttery has been serving the Central Coast since its founding 62 years ago. The Central Coast’s largest law firm caters to the needs of business with a range of practice specialties including Civil Litigation, Business and Real Estate Transactions, Employment Law, Environmental and Land Use, Hospitality, Wine & Agribusiness, Estate Planning, Trusts and Probate. The firm has offices in San Luis Obispo and Santa Maria.
Peer Review Index Gives Andre, Morris & Buttery Attorneys High Marks
June 5, 2012Their clients already know it. Now, so does the rest of the world.
Andre, Morris & Buttery attorneys Lisa Toke, Kathy Eppright and Bill Douglass have all earned “AV Preeminent” ratings for excellence from the prestigious Martindale Hubbell legal index service.
The peer review ratings, according to Martindale Hubbell, are “objective indicators of a lawyer’s high ethical standards and professional ability, generated from evaluations of lawyers by other members of the bar and the judiciary in the United States and Canada.”AV Preeminent is the highest level of professional excellence.
Lisa LaBarbera Toke is a principal in the Andre, Morris & Buttery Civil Litigation Practice Group. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree (magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa) from UCLA in 1993 and a law degree from Cornell Law School in 1996. She grew up in San Luis Obispo, returned to the Central Coast and joined Andre, Morris & Buttery in 2001, and became a principal in 2007. Lisa practices primarily in the fields of business litigation, construction defect and mobile home law.
Kathy Eppright is chair of the firm's Employment Law Practice Group and a member of the firm's Civil Litigation, Hospitality, and Wine & Agribusiness Practice Groups. Her practice focuses on employment litigation and counseling in addition to real property and business litigation. She graduated from Fordham University in 1989 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy. In 1992, she received her law degree from Fordham's School of Law and joined the Andre, Morris and Buttery firm that same year.
Bill Douglass is a principal and member of the firm's Business and Real Estate Transactions, Environmental and Land Use, Hospitality, and Wine & Agribusiness Practice Groups. Bill grew up in San Luis Obispo and received his Bachelor of Science degree in journalism from Cal Poly. He received his law degree from the University of California, Hastings College of Law, in 1996, and joined Andre, Morris & Buttery a year later. Bill concentrates his practice on business law, real property transactions, land use and intellectual property law.
The Andre, Morris & Buttery law firm, with offices in San Luis Obispo and Santa Maria, has served the Central Coast for more than 60 years. The firm provides representation in civil litigation, business and real estate transactions, employment law, environmental and land use, estate planning, trusts and probate, the hospitality industry, and in the wine & agribusiness sectors to local and national Fortune 500 companies, family businesses and individuals.
The 2012 Business Symposium Podcasts
April 17, 2012
San Luis Obispo — We hope you enjoy this podcast of the 2012 Central Coast Business Symposium. The order of speakers was Kathy Eppright, Tim Bennett and Clark Hoyt. Note that due to some technical difficulty at the beginning of Ms. Eppright's presentation, the recording did not pick up the first few minutes of her presentation.
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HR Challenges: What Businesses Can Learn from Each Other Kathy Eppright, Managing Principal, Andre, Morris & Buttery Lessons I Learned Working in the Oprah Empire Tim Bennett, President, Harpo Productions, 1994-2010 |
| Election 2012: It's All About the Economy Clark Hoytt, Pulitzer Prize Winning Journalist; Editor-at-Large, Bloomberg News |
Bloomberg Editor: Republican Discord a Boost for Obama
April 16, 2012San Luis Obispo — President Barack Obama should be the underdog in his campaign for re-election, but disunity among Republicans could hand him a victory in November — and a stronger hand in dealing with Congress.
That was the analysis handed down by Bloomberg News Editor Clark Hoyt at the fourth annual Central Coast Economic Symposium on April 4.
Speaking to about 300 business and community leaders in Arroyo Grande, Hoyt, a Pulitzer Prize winner and former public editor at The New York Times, said that although no president has been re-elected with an unemployment rate above 8.1 percent, "Obama has trajectory of economy on his side." A recent Bloomberg survey found that two-thirds of the states are in recovery mode, with California's recovery the 11th strongest among those on an upswing
For the whole article, click on the link below.
Economic Impacts of Presidential Election Discussed at Central Coast Business Symposium
April 6, 2012San Luis Obispo — The economic impacts of the presidential election were a focus of the fourth-annual Central Coast Business Symposium. More than 300 area business leaders attended the event Wednesday, which was sponsored by San Luis Obispo law firm Andre, Morris & Buttery and held at the Clark Center for the Performing Arts. It was designed to give business leaders a way to collaborate and share information about how to improve the region’s economy.
Featured speakers included Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Clark Hoyt, former public editor for The New York Times and Washington, D.C., bureau chief for Knight Ridder; current editor-at-large for Bloomberg News Tim Bennett, the former president of Harpo Productions, Oprah Winfrey’s family of businesses; and Kathy Eppright, managing principal of Andre, Morris & Buttery. Hoyt expects this year’s campaign and the election that follows will “be a rough one.”
He predicts Democrats will say President Obama is still trying to clean up problems he inherited from George W. Bush, while Republicans will contend Obama hasn’t done enough to put Americans back to work. Hoyt added that watching the candidates go at each other is akin to seeing John Adams and Thomas Jefferson campaign in 1800. “Not much has changed,” Hoyt said.
Bennett shared what it was like to work with Oprah Winfrey for more than 20 years. He said she was a good boss who gave employees threemonth-long vacations, took employees and their families on cruises, and during Christmas would give a week’s pay as a bonus.
Bennett also shared stories about the challenges Winfrey and her team faced, specifically the backlash that followed Winfrey saying in 1996 that she would never eat a burger again after the outbreak of mad cow disease. She was later sued by the meat industry. The case was dismissed.
Bennett said that when it comes to business, an owner must have vision. “Always begin with the end in mind. If you don’t have a plan, you are planning to fail,” he added. Andre, Morris & Buttery created the Central Coast Business Symposium in 2009 in conjunction with the firm’s 60th anniversary.
Business Symposium Coming to Clark Center
March 27, 2012San Luis Obispo — A panel of guests is slated to speak at the fourth annual Central Coast Business Symposium at the Clark Center in Arroyo Grande next week. The event, scheduled for April 4, will host Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Clark Hoyt, former public editor for The New York Times, Washington bureau chief for Knight Ridder and current editor-at-large for Bloomberg News; Tim Bennett, former president of Harpo Productions, Oprah Winfrey’s family of businesses; and Kathy Eppright, managing principal for San Luis Obispo-based law firm and event host Andre, Morris & Buttery.
The presentation will focus on how economic issues are expected to shape the 2012 presidential election. Andre, Morris & Buttery created the Central Coast Business Symposium in 2009 in conjunction with the firm’s 60th anniversary.
The event was designed to give business leaders a means of sharing information and collaborating on ways to boost the region’s economy and individual businesses.
The event will take place at the Clark Center for the Performing Arts in Arroyo Grande from 3-7 p.m.
Advance reservations are required, and tickets are limited. Call 543-4171 to request tickets.
Business Symposium Scheduled for April 4
March 27, 2012San Luis Obispo — A Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, the business executive who directed the Oprah Winfrey empire and a leading expert in employment law will anchor The Central Coast Business Symposium® on Apr. 4, 2012. The 4th annual event is hosted by Andre, Morris & Buttery and scheduled for 3-7 p.m. at the Clark Center in Arroyo Grande.
Clark Hoyt, former public editor for The New York Times and current editor-at-large for Bloomberg News, was honored with a Pulitzer Prize for his work reporting on presidential politics. Hoyt’s presentation at the symposium will focus on how economic issues will shape the 2012 presidential election.
Tim Bennett was the president of Harpo Productions, Oprah Winfrey’s family of businesses, for 16 years prior to his retirement in 2010. Bennett helped build Harpo into a multifaceted company whose holdings grew from the Oprah Winfrey show to add syndicated programming including Dr. Phil, Dr. Oz, Rachael Ray and the Nate Berkus shows along with a magazine, film production company, cable network and international philanthropy. Bennett will share lessons he learned during his years at Harpo.
Kathy Eppright is the managing principal for Central Coast law firm and event host Andre, Morris & Buttery. She is a recognized expert in employment law issues and helps guide dozens of local firms through HR issues. Eppright will draw on real-life examples to offer counsel on how companies can avoid litigation over personnel matters. Andre, Morris & Buttery created The Central Coast Business Symposium® in 2009 in conjunction with the firm’s 60th anniversary. The event was designed to give business leaders a means of sharing information and collaborating on ways to boost the region’s economy and individual businesses, and was so successful it has become an annual program.
Andre, Morris & Buttery created The Central Coast Business Symposium® in 2009 in conjunction with the firm’s 60th anniversary. The event was designed to give business leaders a means of sharing information and collaborating on ways to boost the region’s economy and individual businesses. It’s first year was so successful it became an annual program.
The 2012 event will be produced with the support of co-sponsors Thoma Electric Company, Barnett Cox & Associates, Glenn Burdette, Coastal Reprographic Services, the Pacific Group of Wells Fargo Advisors and Morris & Garritano Insurance. Tickets not claimed by guests of sponsors will be released to the general public on March 26, 2012. For information on requesting tickets, contact Andre, Morris & Buttery at (805) 543-4171. Advance reservations are required.
Business Symposium Shines Spotlight on Employees, Election & the Oprah Empire — Andre, Morris & Buttery Hosts April 4 Event
March 27, 2012San Luis Obispo — A Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, the business executive who directed the Oprah Winfrey empire and a leading expert in employment law will anchor The Central Coast Business Symposium® on Apr. 4, 2012. The 4th annual event is hosted by Andre, Morris & Buttery and scheduled for 3-7 p.m. at the Clark Center in Arroyo Grande.
Clark Hoyt, former public editor for the New York Times and current editor-at-large for Bloomberg News, was honored with a Pulitzer Prize for his work reporting on presidential politics. Hoyt’s presentation at the symposium will focus on how economic issues will shape the 2012 presidential election.
Tim Bennett was the president of Harpo Productions, Oprah Winfrey’s family of businesses, for 16 years prior to his retirement in 2010. Bennett helped build Harpo into a multifaceted company whose holdings grew from the Oprah Winfrey show to add syndicated programming including Dr. Phil, Dr. Oz, Rachael Ray and the Nate Berkus shows along with a magazine, film production company, cable network and international philanthropy. Bennett will share lessons he learned during his years at Harpo.
Kathy Eppright is the managing principal for Central Coast law firm and event host Andre, Morris & Buttery. She is a recognized expert in employment law issues and helps guide dozens of local firms through HR issues. Eppright will draw on real-life examples to offer counsel on how companies can avoid litigation over personnel matters. Andre, Morris & Buttery created The Central Coast Business Symposium® in 2009 in conjunction with the firm’s 60th anniversary. The event was designed to give business leaders a means of sharing information and collaborating on ways to boost the region’s economy and individual businesses, and was so successful it has become an annual program.
The 2012 event will be produced with the support of co-sponsors Thoma Electric Company, Barnett Cox & Associates, Glenn Burdette, Coastal Reprographic Services, the Pacific Group of Wells Fargo Advisors and Morris & Garritano Insurance. Tickets not claimed by guests of sponsors will be released to the general public on March 26, 2012. For information on requesting tickets, contact Andre, Morris & Buttery at (805) 543-4171. Advance reservations are required.
Registration for the event can be found here.
Press ReleaseMichael Morris to Address Estate Planning in Times of Change at October 28th Workshop
October 26, 2011Pismo Beach — Michael Morris, senior principal with the Andre, Morris & Buttery law firm of San Luis Obispo, will be a speaker at an estate planning workshop on Friday, Oct. 28, 2011, sponsored by Joe Brittingham, CFP® of Edward Jones Investments. Morris will be joined by CPA Eric Schwefler of Caliber Accounting Group to present a program titled "Estate Planning in Times of Change."
The no-charge event will take place at 8 a.m.–noon at the Dolphin Bay Resort located at 2727 Shell Beach Road in Pismo Beach. The workshop is open to the public but space is limited and advance registration is required. Lunch will follow the program and will be provided by Lido Restaurant.
Morris, who has more than 35 years of experience in real estate, business counseling and estate and trust matters, will be joined by Schwefler in discussing the effects of recent legislation increasing the estate and gift tax exemption to $5.0 million. The program will present strategies for dealing with the increased exemptions along with planning for a possible return to lower exemptions commencing in 2013. The seminar will help attendees understand the current status of the estate and gift tax law as well as plan for the potential changes which may occur in the future.
Event host Joe Brittingham can be reached via e-mail at Joe.Brittingham@edwardjones.com. Reservations are requested via phone call to Jennifer or Bryanna at Edward Jones in Pismo Beach, (805) 473–9200.
Andre, Morris & Buttery Closes Third Winery Sale Contract
Firm executes more than $100 million in sale contractsSeptember 21, 2011
San Luis Obispo, CA — Central Coast law firm Andre, Morris & Buttery has concluded its third recent wine industry transaction, logging a total of more than $100 million in sale contracts. Andre, Morris & Buttery principal and leader of the winery merger team, Michael Morris, represented Sonoma Valley winery Overlook Vineyards in the recent sale of Landmark Winery. The sale price was not disclosed.
Landmark is located in Kenwood in the heart of Sonoma County wine country, and includes production of 20,000 cases of wine per year, organically farmed estate vineyards, a tasting room and on site overnight guest accommodations. Landmark produces chardonnay, syrah, pinot noir and grenache and sells its wines throughout the United States and some foreign countries.
The sale of Landmark involved complex financial, real estate and regulatory issues unique to the wine industry. Morris notes that the sale of a winery involves multiple assets and presents its own set of challenges that are then magnified by government regulations unique to the industry. "Winery deals are some of the most complicated business transactions unfolding today," Morris said. He was joined by firm principals Bill Douglass along with associate Karen Fothergill in handling the transaction.
AMB's work representing Justin and Deborah Baldwin in the recent sale of JUSTIN Vineyards and Winery of Paso Robles has attracted the attention of the California wine industry. "More and more wine operations are reaching maturity and their owners are seeking sale opportunities," Morris said. "Our firm has developed a great reputation for representing this specialized area, and we are gratified to have the opportunity to represent parties in these transactions."
Andre, Morris & Buttery is a 62-year-old business law firm with offices in San Luis Obispo and Santa Maria. In addition to Landmark Vineyards and JUSTIN Vineyards and Winery, the firm also represented the seller of local Central Coast winery Domaine Alfred.
Yamaha Corporation USA Punished With $2.1 Million Jury Award
Jury finds motorsports giant intentionally damaged Paso Robles franchiseeJune 28, 2011
PASO ROBLES — A local jury has found Yamaha Corporation U.S.A. liable for fraudulent and malicious treatment of Powerhouse Motorsports, a former Paso Robles business. The trial in the California Superior Court for the County of San Luis Obispo resulted in an August 9th judgment against Yamaha. The jury found that Yamaha acted in violation of state law by interfering with Powerhouse's attempt to sell its dealership, and that it did so maliciously, fraudulently and oppressively, entitling Powerhouse to an award of punitive damages.
The judgment orders Yamaha to pay a total of over $2,100,000 for compensatory and punitive damages, interest, and attorney fees and costs.
The claim against Yamaha began in the summer of 2008. Powerhouse Motorsports was then the California Central Coast's largest motorcycle and ATV dealership, carrying product lines including Yamaha, Polaris, Suzuki and KTM. Powerhouse, a franchisee of Yamaha, struggled financially in 2008 and in June of that year made the decision to close the dealership's doors. While the business had ceased operations, the company retained value in inventory, lease and goodwill, and was able to immediately strike a deal with MDK Motorsports to take over the dealership.
Evidence presented at trial proved conclusively that while Yamaha indicated it would support the sale and help its franchisee make the transition, the motorsport giant in fact worked behind the scenes to stop the sale. The very day Yamaha pledged to support Powerhouse Motorsports' sale effort, Yamaha initiated a swift action to terminate its franchise with Powerhouse. Yamaha refused calls from the franchisee and ten days later caused the sale to be cancelled.
As a result, Powerhouse Motorsports failed, leaving behind an empty facility and former employees whose opportunity to be retained by the new company had been lost. The former Powerhouse facility remains vacant, and no Yamaha dealership has opened to replace Powerhouse. Yamaha owners must now travel out of the area for service and warranty work.
Yamaha's United States dealership network began in the late-1950's and grew rapidly over the years. Yamaha came to Paso Robles in the mid 1960's and operated without a gap in service for the 40+ years that ended with Powerhouse's exit in 2008. Yamaha's national dealer network has been on a significant decline since 2007.
Yamaha controls its dealerships through franchise agreements. Numerous California laws protect dealers against a manufacturer's misuse of its franchise agreements, and it was abuse of these laws that led to the jury decision. The jury supported Powerhouse Motorsports' contentions that Yamaha's actions were deliberate and intentional. California law allows juries to award punitive damages when there has been an intentional violation of the law that rises to the level of being malicious, fraudulent or oppressive. Punitive awards are used to punish wrongdoers and to force change.
Powerhouse was represented by Dennis D. Law and Collette A. Hillier of longtime Central Coast business law firm Andre, Morris & Buttery. Law, who manages the firm's Paso Robles office, said that his team was very pleased with the jury's award and especially gratified that Powerhouse had been vindicated. A Powerhouse spokesperson said that one of the company's primary goals in bringing the action was to send a message that Yamaha must abide by the law and cannot mistreat its franchise dealers. The jury sent a $2.1 million message to Yamaha in support of those principles.
Andre, Morris & Buttery has its roots in San Luis Obispo, where the firm was founded 62 years ago. Today the Central Coast's largest law firm has offices in Santa Maria and San Luis Obispo.
The 2011 Business Symposium Knocks it out of the Park
April 7, 2011
SAN LUIS OBISPO — The Central Coast Business Symposium held on Apr. 7, 2011 at the Clark Center featured a star lineup of speakers who discussed strategies for succcess in today's economy.
A podcast presentation of the program is available by clicking on icons below. Slower internet connections may require several minutes for the audio to download. Please be patient.
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Welcome Michael Morris, Andre, Morris & Buttery |
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Special Introduction Dr. Jeffrey Armstrong, President, Cal Poly State University |
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Yes, Everything Has Changed: Growing a Business in Today's Banking Environment Carrol Pruett, Chairman of the Board (retired), Mid-State Bancshares |
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Technology 2012: Get Ahead of the Curve Blake Irving, Chief Product Officer, Yahoo! Podcast:  MP3
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In the Black While Bleeding Blue Michael Young, Chief Revenue Officer, Los Angeles Dodgers Podcast: MP3
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Closing Remarks Michael Morris, Andre, Morris & Buttery Podcast: MP3
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Andre, Morris & Buttery Tapped for JUSTIN Winery Sale
Complex transaction required team of legal expertsDecember 20, 2010
PASO ROBLES, CA — Central Coast law firm Andre, Morris & Buttery was retained by Justin and Deborah Baldwin to represent them in the merger of their privately held JUSTIN Vineyards and Winery of Paso Robles into a new company owned by Los Angeles businessman Stewart Resnick. The prestigious JUSTIN label sold for an undisclosed amount to the owner of Fiji Water, Teleflora, POM Wonderful and Paramount Citrus among and other companies. The sale included vineyards, an on-site bed and breakfast inn and winery operations for the high-profile winery whose offerings included the elite Isosceles label. JUSTIN Winery is the flagship of the so-called “Far Out Wineries” of western Paso Robles' burgeoning wine country.
According to Michael Morris, Andre, Morris & Buttery principal and leader of the merger team, the sale involved complex financial, real estate and regulatory issues unique to the wine industry. Morris was joined by firm principals Beth Marino in executing a local industry record-setting merger agreement on behalf of the Baldwins, longtime clients of the firm. “It was a great pleasure to work with the Baldwins in the sale of their award-winning winery. Justin and Debby have been leaders in the Central Coast wine industry and we were privileged to have the opportunity to guide them through the legal process that transferred the JUSTIN success to the Resnick’s family of businesses,” Morris said.
Justin Baldwin commented on the confidence he and his wife, Deborah, have in Andre, Morris & Buttery. “We are fortunate to have a law firm here on the Central Coast with the expertise and experience to negotiate an agreement of this magnitude,” Justin Baldwin said. “Michael and his team were nothing short of extraordinary.”
This transaction marks the second significant wine deal on the Central Coast in the last two years. The same Andre, Morris & Buttery legal team represented Terry Speizer, as seller in the sale of the Domaine Alfred Winery, to Crimson Wine Group, a subsidiary of Leucadia National Corporation, in late 2008. Now operating as Chamisal Vineyards, Domaine Alfred has been a major producer of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines in the Edna Valley.
Andre, Morris & Buttery is a 62-year-old business law firm with offices in San Luis Obispo, and Santa Maria. For more information, visit www.amblaw.com.
Todd Mirolla to Speak at Health Care Reform Seminar
Attorney will review details of proposed changes at Nov. 18 eventNovember 18, 2010
SAN LUIS OBISPO — Todd Mirolla, attorney and partner with the Andre, Morris & Buttery law firm of San Luis Obispo will be a featured speaker at a seminar on health care reform Thursday, Nov. 18. Mirolla will join Eric Schwefler, CPA and partner for Caliber Accounting and Dave Morgan, broker and Principal for Morris & Garritano to review two aspects of health care reform: how the reform plan will affect groups or companies with common owners, and changes to non-discrimination requirements in the context of health care reform.
The no-charge event will take place at 8:30–10:30 a.m. at the offices of Morris & Garritano, 1122 Laurel Lane in San Luis Obispo. The seminar is open to the public, but space is limited and advance registration is required. Presentations will be followed by a panel discussion by Andre, Morris & Buttery attorney and Morris & Garritano brokers Paul Hoover, Laura Murphy and Ben Hoover.
Mirolla has more than 24 years of business experience representing health care entities with mergers, acquisitions and compliance and more than 300 start-up entities in all aspects of business planning, entity formation, financing and business counseling. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Founders Community Bank, The Mission Memorial Foundation and The San Damiano Foundation.
Reservations are requested via phone call or e-mail to Louise Matheny in San Luis Obispo, (805) 543–6887 ext. 365 or imatheny@morrisgarritano.com.
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Health Care Reform Seminar Todd Mirolla |
Andre, Morris & Buttery and Morris & Garritano Offer Employment Seminar
June 7, 2010San Luis Obispo - Andre, Morris & Buttery attorneys and employment law specialists Collette Hiller and Kathy Eppright were featured speakers at a recent Central Coast business leaders’ seminar. The daylong event focused on HR management for companies and organizations of all sizes and was hosted by AMB and Morris & Garritano Insurance. The PowerPoint presentations used by Ms. Hillier and Ms. Eppright are available in PDF format via the attachments below. Further information is available by contacting Kathy Eppright at keprright@amblaw.com or Collette Hillier at chillier@amblaw.com; For complete event pre-release click here.
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HR Basics: The Life of an Employee Collette Hillier |
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HR Basics: The Life of an Employee Part 2 Kathy Eppright |
Michael Morris Offers Presentation on Estate Tax Repeal
March 17, 2010 San Luis Obispo – Michael Morris, principal with Andre, Morris & Buttery, was invited by financial advisor Joe Brittingham to speak at a recent seminar on financial planning. Mr. Morris’ PowerPoint presentation, “Estate Tax Repeal and its Effect on Basic Estate Planning” is offered in PDF format via the link below. Additional information is available by contacting Mr. Morris via mmorris@amblaw.com.
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Estate Tax Repeal Michael Morris |
“Troubled Employees” Seminar
Planned for Paso Robles
October 12, 2009
Paso Robles, CA – Andre Morris and Buttery, Central Coast Employee Assistance and Counseling Services and the Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce are teaming up to assist employers struggling to manage troubled employees. “Troubled Employees in Troubled Times” is a seminar slated for Friday, November 13th at the Hampton Inn in Paso Robles. The event will run from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Morris Back for Return Engagement
on Estate Planning
August 20, 2009
Joe Brittingham, CFP®, of Edward Jones’ Pismo Beach office has invited AMB principal Michael Morris to speak on "The Basics of Estate Planning" at a Sept. 2 workshop. The event, slated for noon to 2:30 p.m., is offered in response to a similar program held earlier this summer.
Buttery Selected for Prestigious Board
June 24, 2009
James Buttery Selected for Prestigious National Trial Lawyers Board
SAN LUIS OBISPO - Longtime local attorney James Buttery has been inducted into the prestigious American Board of Trial Lawyers (ABOTA), an influential national organization whose membership is limited to trial attorneys who meet certain high levels of achievement.
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Partner to Address Area Business People
June 11, 2009Michael Morris To Address Estate Planning Issues
Michael Morris, senior principal with the Andre, Morris & Buttery law form will join a panel of business leaders June 19, 2009 for the Summer Professional Education Series sponsord by Joe Brittingham, CFP® of Edward Jones Investments.
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Andre, Morris & Buttery to host Central Coast Business Symposium
Andre, Morris & Buttery will celebrate 60 years on the Central Coast in January with a landmark symposium featuring some of the brightest minds in business today.
Keynote speaker will be American entrepreneur Bob Stapleton, owner of Team Columbia, the top-ranked cycling team in the world.
Stapleton is a founder of Voice Stream Wireless, which was purchased by T-Mobile parent company, Deutsche Telekom. Stapleton is a cycling enthusiast who used his business acumen to build the world's best professional cycling team, while leading the charge against doping in the sport. A panel of experts gathered specifically for the milestone event will join Stapleton as speakers address a range of critical issues facing business in the coming year. Topics will include:
- Life After An Historic National Election
- Managing Investments in a ew Era
- The Employment Law Class Every Business Should Take
- Protecting Your Business from Internal Theft
The community is invited to the anniversary event, set for 3-7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 26, at the Clark Center in Arroyo Grande. Seating is limited. Tickets are $50 and will be available through the Clark Center beginning Dec. 15. Proceeds will benefit the California Central Coast Research Partnership (C3RP). Additional information is available at www.amblaw.com.
Event host Andre, Morris & Buttery is the oldest continuously operated law firm in San Luis Obispo, started by SLO natives George and Peter Andre as Andre & Andre in 1948 at 1130 Garden Street. The firm has added locations and partners over the years, but its deep roots remain firmly planted in the community.
Andre, Morris & Buttery provides expertise in civil litigation, business and real estate transactions, employment law, environmental and land use, and estate planning, trusts and probate. It has offices in San Luis Obispo and Santa Maria.
J. Todd Mirolla Celebrates 25 Years
Celebrating 25 years with Andre, Morris and Buttery, J. Todd Mirolla has deep roots in San Luis Obispo. He serves on the board of directors for Founders Community Bank, Mission Memorial Foundation and San Damiano Foundation. He has also shared his knowledge and experience with future barristers as an adjunct professor of business law at Cal Poly.
New President at the Santa Maria YMCA
Kevin Morris was recently named president of the Board of Directors of the Santa Maria Valley YMCA. The Santa Maria Valley YMCA serves over 5,000 members, provides childcare for 300 children, and teaches 1,200 children and adults to swim every year.
Andre, Morris & Buttery Volunteers in Our Community
Michael Morris Connects With The Community
Contributions to San Luis Obispo over the years have earned Michael Morris numerous awards, including Citizen of the Year honors in 2004. His most recent success was heading up fundraising efforts for the $2.4 million seismic retrofit of historic Mission San Luis Obispo, founded in 1772. Michael has also served on the San Luis Coastal School Board and the Foundation for the Performing Arts Center Board, and he has served on numerous other community based boards and commissions.
Jim Buttery: A Valued Volunteer
Jim Buttery volunteers his time with several projects in the Santa Maria region, including the Santa Maria Valley Discovery Center Board of Directors and the Santa Maria Valley Economic Development Board. He is also a member of the Santa Barbara County Superior Court ADR Committee. He has served as legal counsel for the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce and as a director of the Private Industry Council. Jim also taught business law as an adjunct professor at Cal Poly.
Youth Well-Served by Kevin Morris
The Pacific Coast Business Times named Kevin Morris to the 40 Under Forty list for 2002. It's an honor well-deserved, not only for his legal skills but for his dedication to local YMCAs. Currently, Kevin serves on the Board of Directors of the Santa Maria Valley YMCA. And, from 1992- 2002, he was a board member for the San Luis Obispo County YMCA Board of Directors from 1999-2002.
Mike Gibson: Proud To Serve The Santa Maria Valley
Community service is second nature for Michael Gibson. He's well-known throughout the Santa Maria Valley for his volunteer activities, including the Santa Maria Breakfast Rotary Club, Hancock College Foundation, Santa Maria YMCA, Boys and Girls Club, Orcutt Children's Arts Foundation, and Domestic Violence Solutions of Santa Barbara County. He served as a trustee for the Orcutt School District and established the Mid-State Bank Foundation.