News & Publications

The Small Business Exit Strategy

Thinking Big (And Getting Ready for the Small Stuff) By Karen Gjerdrum Fothergill and Cameron Cotton Many business owners will consider selling at some point in the company’s life cycle. This is an exciting prospect for any owner, but it can also be overwhelming, even in the best circumstances. If you’re considering a sale, you may find it helpful to start by thinking through the following list of key considerations. By addressing these issues early, you can put yourself in a position to be out the door and onto the beach as painlessly as possible. Start With The Big Picture…

AMB Adds Four Amazing Attorneys

We are very pleased to announce that we have expanded our firm! We have recently added four attorneys to our firm, and we could not be any more excited. WARREN A. SINSHEIMER, III AND DAVID A. JUHNKE Long time San Luis Obispo Attorneys Warren A. Sinsheimer, III and David A. Juhnke joined Andre, Morris & Buttery on March 22, 2021 as Of Counsel Attorneys.  Warren and Dave previously worked with McCormick Barstow in the San Luis Obispo office.  Warren continues to handle Estates and Trusts matters.  Dave continues to handle both Transactional and Litigation matters. CAMERON T.  COTTON AND MICHAELA …

Planning your Reopening: The Question Every Employer Should Be Asking – By Kathy Eppright

As businesses begin planning to reopen, the question that every employer should be asking is not “can we?” but “should we?”   As businesses face a multitude of judgment calls, this should be the question asked throughout the reopening process.  If employers pause and ask “should we?,” they will be able to better navigate the personnel problems that are already surfacing. Here are some examples of how this approach will help prevent missteps. The Reluctant Returnee Most, but not all, employees are going to be happy to be able to return to work.  You are going to encounter a …

Phase 2 Reopening Requirements: What That Means for Agriculture By Amber Simmons

Phase 2 Reopening Requirements:  What That Means for Agriculture By Amber Simmons Last week, Governor Newsom began modifying the stay at home order and released updated industry guidance for businesses to follow as we begin moving into Stage 2 of California’s Resilience Roadmap.    As is true for most things related to agriculture in California, the agricultural industry is subject to its own specific rules.  A complete copy of the guidance and checklist published for Agriculture and Livestock is available here. Below is a brief summary of steps to comply with these requirements and safely re-open your California agricultural business.  While …

Paycheck Protection Program Loans (PPP)

By Elizabeth A. Culley On March 27, 2020, President Donald Trump signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) into law.  As part of the CARES Act, $349 billion will be allocated to the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”), to help small businesses retain employees and cover certain expenses through very favorable Small Business Administration (“SBA”) Loans. The PPP Loans are available to small businesses having up to 500 employees.  The PPP increased eligibility for SBA Loans to allow sole proprietors, independent contractors, self-employed individuals, and freelance and gig economy workers to apply for PPP Loans. All of …

Section 998 Strategies Viewed in the Context of Mediation

by Dennis Law If one supposes that in today’s world almost all civil controversies will involve mediation, and that a Code of Civil Procedure Section 998 (“998”) offer may be at least considered in most civil controversies, then one would naturally expect that mediations and 998 offers will most likely cross paths in some fashion or another during the course of a typical lawsuit.[1]  But how, if at all, do mediations and 998 offers relate to one another? Mediations and 998 offers share the common goal of promoting settlements, but the similarity pretty much ends there. Although the word …

Using Independent Contractors? Know the New Rules

The California Supreme Court has tightened definitions on what constitutes an independent contractor, calling it the A-B-C test. Trust us, there’s nothing easy about these A-B-C’s. Kathy Eppright explains. If you have workers who you pay as independent contractors, you need to learn the new rules that apply in California. The new standard for determining whether a worker is properly classified as an independent contractor was adopted by the California Supreme Court on April 30, 2018, in Dynamex Operations West v. Superior Court. The new standard is called the “ABC Test,” and in order for a worker to be …

The New World of Business Discussed at 10th Annual Business Symposium

The Chief HR Officer for Uber, an MBA-holding Olympic medalist, and a senior exec with one of the country’s largest nonprofits took to the stage to talk about the workplace and the workforce of the future at this year’s Central Coast Business Symposium, hosted by Andre, Morris & Buttery in June. Local leaders gathered and explored new ideas for improving our businesses and the community at AMB’s 10th annual event. This year, Liane Hornsey, Senior VP and Chief People Officer for Uber, discussed the realities of HR in a candid, “fireside chat”-style conversation with AMB’s Kathy Eppright. Lynda Gonzales-Chavez, Senior …

AMB’s Dennis D. Law presents, “Understanding Mediation” to the Central Coast Paralegal Association.

When is mediation appropriate and what are its considerations? AMB’s Dennis D. Law will present “Understanding Mediation” at the next Central Coast Paralegal Association meeting on August 8. Learn more and register here. …

AMB Hosting 10th Annual Business Symposium

The Chief HR Officer for Uber, an MBA-holding Olympic medalist, and a senior exec with one of the country’s largest nonprofits will take the stage to talk about the new world of business at this year’s Central Coast Business Symposium, hosted by Andre, Morris & Buttery, Thursday June 14. The 10th annual event, taking place from 2:30-5:30 p.m. at the Clark Center in Arroyo Grande, allows local leaders to gather and explore new ideas for improving our businesses and the community. This year, Liane Hornsby, Senior VP and Chief People Officer for Uber, will discuss the realities of HR in …