Business and Corporate Law

• Business Formation
  Susan’s law practice initially focused on business formation and compliance, succession planning, sales and acquisitions, and other transactional matters. Susan has formed and counseled business entities of varying sizes and purposes, from both closely‐ held family enterprises to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations to project‐specific vehicles for asset protection purposes. With experienced and timely counsel, Susan guided her clients through the ups and downs of operating a business so that her clients could focus and efforts on growing the business.
• Business Disputes
  In more than 30 years of practicing law, John McCardle has represented clients in a broad spectrum of legal matters in federal and state trial courts, administrative hearings, and appellate courts. His experience as a litigator has taught John “to begin with the end in mind” by envisioning how legal disputes are likely to be resolved, developing an effective strategy for obtaining that resolution, and implementing that strategy while remaining flexible enough to alter the methods selected as circumstances require. More importantly, he learned that many business disputes can be avoided entirely by crafting agreements and other legal documents designed to anticipate such disputes and to establish effective means of resolving disputes when they arise.
• Construction Contracts

Employment Law

• Employment Contract

Property Law

• Construction Litigation
• Real Estate Transactions

Trusts and Estates

• Estate Planning
  Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization - June 2021
• Wills
  Trusts, wills and estates is the primary focus of Susan’s law practice today. She believes that a carefully crafted estate plan is essential for everyone to avoid probate, to communicate one’s wishes to loved ones, and to plan for unexpected life events. She advises on more advanced planning techniques to reduce or eliminate estate tax liability and to achieve philanthropic or charitable goals, among others. Susan’s expertise in both business law and estate planning makes her uniquely suited to assist her clients successfully transferring their life’s work to the next generation.
• Trusts
• Power of Attorney
• Probate
  Her business succession practice naturally expanded into estate planning and trust/probate administration for individuals. Susan then experienced for herself just how difficult it is to help a loved one when unexpected life events occur without advance planning (read her personal story, here). Estate planning and trust/probate administration became her passion over time, culminating in her certification as a legal specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization in June of 2021.