Our Practice Areas

Bankruptcy and Insolvency

A recognized leader in the area of insolvency and bankruptcy, the firm represents secured and unsecured creditors, debtors, financial institutions, asset-based lenders, bankruptcy and creditors' committees, bankruptcy trustees and purchasers of financially distressed businesses. The firm handles all aspects of bankruptcy litigation, including the prosecution and defense of preference and fraudulent conveyance actions. The firm also provides legal counsel in insolvency alternatives to bankruptcy, including out-of-court workouts, assignments for the benefit of creditors, receiverships, and liquidations of partnerships and corporations.

Our services include structuring the purchase or sale of assets to or from financially distressed businesses and negotiating informal workouts with creditors. We advise clients on attachment and perfection of security interests; repossession of, or foreclosure upon, real or personal property collateral; and analyzing commercial transactions in an effort to minimize the impact of a bankruptcy by another party to the transaction.

The firm's extensive involvement with insolvency cases provides a unique perspective on the inner workings of multiple businesses and industries. We maximize this valuable insight by proactively responding to the challenges and issues our clients face in today's competitive market.

Business Litigation

The firm's business litigation practice is local, regional and national in scope and includes dispute resolution, negotiated settlements, appeals and trial representation. We represent business entities and individuals in commercial disputes in federal and state court; including cases involving fraud, lender liability, securities, shareholder disputes, contracts, employment issues, Article 2 and Article 9 Uniform Commercial Code matters, and franchise, probate, real estate, bankruptcy and insolvency issues.

Our litigation practice includes a significant focus on intellectual property issues such as trade secrets, trademark and licensing infringements, copyrights, publicity rights, internet law, and pricing and marketing practices.

The firm routinely assists parties in negotiating early settlements and resolving business disputes and bankruptcy controversies through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), rather than traditional litigation. ADR can resolve disputes in a manner that protects the participants' privacy and allows ongoing business and personal relationships to be maintained. Our attorneys handle arbitrations before the American Arbitration Association, JAMS (Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services, Inc.), and other authorized providers of such services. The firm has arbitrated virtually every type of business, commercial, and real estate dispute; and is frequently involved in drafting ADR provisions carefully tailored to meet specific client needs.

Business - Transactions, Formations, Agreements & Counseling

Greenberg & Bass advises clients on a broad spectrum of general corporate and commercial matters, including drafting and negotiating agreements, business entity formations, commercial leasing transactions, employment issues, mergers and acquisitions, shareholder rights, and regulatory and compliance issues. The firm routinely handles complex commercial and corporate transactions, leveraged lease financings, corporate reorganizations, and secured transactions. We provide assistance with sophisticated business planning and operations, franchise formations, and negotiation and dispute resolution among owners of closely held or family businesses. In addition, the firm has extensive experience in the banking, finance and factoring industries.

The firm has a tradition of developing and maintaining close relationships with entrepreneurs, CEOs and business owners. Our attorneys frequently serve as outside general counsel to business clients — developing a familiarity with the business that enables them to advise on virtually all legal matters affecting day-to-day operations.

Real Estate and Commercial Lending

The firm's active real estate practice represents real estate developers, lenders, hotel operators, landlords and tenants. Our attorneys are experienced in all aspects of commercial and residential development, including single-family, condominium and apartment projects; hotels; office buildings; industrial parks and mixed-use developments. Services also include negotiation and preparation of commercial, industrial and ground leases for landlords and tenants, as well as protection and enforcement of lease rights and remedies.

The firm represents developers and lenders in virtually every type of real estate financing, including acquisition and development loans, construction loans, leasehold financing, equity or "profit" participations, joint ventures and limited partnerships. In addition, our team of real estate, tax, litigation, and insolvency attorneys is experienced in dealing creatively with the challenging economic, tax and bankruptcy issues raised by the restructure of secured and unsecured debt.

Entertainment, Intellectual Property and New Media

The firm's Entertainment, Intellectual Property & New Media practice reflects a solid understanding of the business issues and creative challenges resulting from the convergence within the entertainment, hi-tech, gaming and new media industries.

The firm's clients include television and film production and distribution companies, talent agency and management firms, and individual musicians, actors, celebrities, writers, producers, and directors. We also represent electronic game development and distribution companies, software developers, electronics distributors, e-commerce businesses, and high-tech product manufacturers.

From locally-based to international companies, the firm provides counsel on corporate, employment and contractual matters related to intellectual property issues; acquisition and licensing agreements; copyright, trademark and trade secret protections; obtaining and structuring financing for creative projects; contract negotiations; entity formations; dispute resolution and asset protection, and develops appropriate protection vehicles for investments in high technology, games, and other entertainment products.

Green Law

Greenberg & Bass advises clients that are engaged in the emerging area of green building and sustainable development. The firm provides counsel in a range of areas associated with green building, including design, construction, leasing, contracts, financing, insurance and risk management issues. Our extensive experience in real estate, commercial development and finance is now expanded to help clients thrive and compete in this innovative field. Partner David Adelman heads the practice and is one of only a few California attorneys who is LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified.

Franchise

The firm represents franchisors and franchisees in the preparation and review of Franchise Disclosure Documents, regulatory compliance, ownership structuring, acquisitions and dispositions, development of franchise sales and expansion programs, commercial leasing and litigation. The firm's background in this area goes beyond legal to include hands-on business and executive management franchise experience, giving our clients the additional advantage of direct industry knowledge.

Trusts and Estate Planning

The firm provides counsel in estate planning, trusts, probate and estate taxation matters. Estate planning services include drafting of wills, trusts (both revocable living trusts and irrevocable trusts), and related documents; creation and implementation of gifting programs; development of plans for the effective use of life insurance; integration of pension and profit-sharing plan benefits and individual retirement accounts with the estate plan; and preparation of prenuptial and other marital agreements. The firm advises owners of closely-held businesses regarding strategies for transferring business interests to children and grandchildren. Our services also include advising clients about charitable giving programs, and drafting charitable remainder and charitable lead trusts.