Business & Commercial Law Solutions for Bay Area Entrepreneurs and Companies
At the Law Offices of Denise Eaton May, P.C., we help business owners turn ideas into thriving enterprises and protect what they’ve built through skilled, proactive legal counsel. For over 30 years, our firm has provided Bay Area businesses with the guidance they need to launch with confidence, navigate complex challenges, and resolve disputes efficiently. Whether you’re forming a startup, growing a family-run company, or seeking alternatives to litigation, we’re here to be your legal partner through every stage of your business journey.
From our offices in Hayward, Pleasanton, and Oakland, we serve entrepreneurs, small business owners, and established companies across the East Bay with a practical, tailored approach to business and commercial law.
Why Legal Strategy Is Critical for Business Success in California
In California’s fast-paced and highly regulated business environment, legal planning isn’t optional—it’s essential. From the moment you form a business, every decision you make carries potential legal consequences. A well-structured legal strategy not only protects your interests but also positions your company to grow with confidence, clarity, and control.
California’s legal landscape is among the most complex in the nation. Company owners must navigate an intricate web of state and local regulations, employment laws that change frequently, and contractual obligations that can have lasting financial impacts. Whether you’re hiring your first employee, entering a vendor agreement, or managing a customer dispute, even small missteps can lead to costly liabilities.
That’s why having a trusted legal partner from the outset makes all the difference. At the Law Offices of Denise Eaton May, P.C., we provide Bay Area businesses with experienced legal counsel designed to prevent problems before they arise—and to respond decisively when challenges do occur. We build long-term relationships with our clients so we can serve not just as legal technicians but as strategic advisors who understand your business, your goals, and the road ahead.
With proactive legal guidance, you don’t just protect your business—you position it to thrive in a state that rewards innovation but demands legal precision.
Business Entity Formation: Build Your Business on a Strong Foundation
Starting a company in California involves more than a great idea—it requires a legal framework that supports growth, minimizes liability, and aligns with your long-term goals. At the Law Offices of Denise Eaton May, P.C., we help entrepreneurs throughout the Bay Area make sound decisions from day one, laying the legal groundwork for stability and success. Our business formation services are designed to simplify complex processes and give you confidence that your business is built to last.
Choosing the Right Business Structure
One of the most important decisions you’ll make at the outset is choosing the right legal entity for your business. Each structure—LLC, corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship—offers distinct advantages and responsibilities. We help clients understand the nuances of each option so they can make informed decisions that protect their assets and support their goals.
A sole proprietorship is the simplest option but offers no separation between personal and business liability. Partnerships can be flexible, but they carry shared responsibility and potential risks. LLCs provide limited liability protection and are often favored by small businesses due to their operational flexibility and pass-through taxation. Corporations, including S corps and C corps, may offer greater tax advantages and scalability for larger ventures but come with more formal requirements and governance obligations.
We take the time to understand your business model, your plans for growth, your risk tolerance, and your financial objectives. With that foundation, we help you select the company structure that offers the right mix of protection, flexibility, and compliance.
Setting Up Your Business the Right Way
Once you’ve selected the appropriate structure, our team handles the technical and legal steps necessary to bring your business to life. We manage everything from preparing and filing formation documents with the California Secretary of State to securing your federal EIN from the IRS. For LLCs and corporations, we draft essential documents such as operating agreements, bylaws, and partnership agreements that clearly define ownership, roles, responsibilities, and dispute resolution processes.
We provide practical guidance for first-time entrepreneurs and startup founders, helping them avoid common pitfalls and understand their obligations. We also work closely with co-founders and family-owned businesses to develop clear, legally enforceable agreements that reduce the risk of future conflicts.
Our role doesn’t end with the paperwork. We’re here to make sure you understand every aspect of your formation documents and how they support your overall company goals.
Compliance from Day One
Legal compliance is not a one-time task—it’s an ongoing responsibility. From the moment your business is formed, it’s subject to a variety of federal, state, and local regulations. We help clients meet these obligations from the outset to avoid costly problems down the road.
Our team provides guidance on initial licensing and permitting, ensures you understand your tax and reporting requirements, and helps you implement best practices for recordkeeping and internal governance. If you’re hiring employees, we’ll walk you through your responsibilities under California employment law, from wage and hour rules to anti-discrimination policies and required postings.
As your business grows, we continue to provide legal counsel to support your long-term compliance. Whether you need help updating operating agreements, bringing on new partners, or preparing for an audit, we’re just a call away.
Starting a business in California is a challenge—but you don’t have to do it alone. We help you move forward with a strong legal foundation and the peace of mind that your company is built to grow.
Contracts & Legal Counsel for Growing Companies
As your business evolves, so do your legal needs. Contracts are the backbone of every business relationship, and we provide ongoing support to help you draft, negotiate, and enforce agreements that protect your interests. Our team reviews commercial contracts, vendor agreements, employment contracts, NDAs, service terms, and more to ensure your legal exposure is minimized.
We also provide day-to-day legal counsel for issues like workplace policies, employee disputes, lease agreements, and regulatory compliance. With our firm as your legal advisor, you have a consistent resource to help you navigate routine operations and complex decisions alike.
Mediation: A Smarter Path to Resolving Business Disputes
Disputes are inevitable in business. How you handle them makes the difference between prolonged disruption and swift resolution. At the Law Offices of Denise Eaton May, we are strong advocates of mediation—a collaborative, cost-effective alternative to litigation.
When Mediation Makes Sense
From contract breaches and partnership disputes to employee conflicts and vendor disagreements, many business disputes can be resolved through structured dialogue rather than a courtroom battle. Mediation gives both parties the opportunity to work through the issues with a neutral facilitator, saving time, preserving relationships, and avoiding the escalating costs of litigation.
The Mediation Process
Our firm guides business clients through a streamlined mediation process tailored to their specific dispute. We help prepare documentation, facilitate productive discussions, and develop agreements that reflect both parties’ interests. Mediation can be confidential, flexible, and far less combative than traditional litigation—making it especially valuable when parties need to preserve a working relationship moving forward.
Mediation for Businesses of All Sizes
Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur or a large corporation, mediation offers benefits that scale. Small businesses often lack the financial resources to pursue drawn-out legal action. Mediation offers a practical solution that keeps resources focused on operations. For larger companies, mediation can preserve public reputation, avoid litigation costs, and maintain company continuity.
Decades of Mediation Experience
With over three decades of experience resolving business disputes, Denise Eaton May brings not only legal expertise but also the interpersonal skills needed to guide parties toward agreement. Our approach is grounded in real-world business experience and an understanding of what’s at stake—your finances, your reputation, and your ability to move forward.
Litigation Support When Mediation Isn’t Enough
While our firm strongly encourages mediation as a first step in resolving business disputes, we understand that not every conflict can be settled outside the courtroom. When litigation becomes necessary, the Law Offices of Denise Eaton May, P.C., is prepared to advocate for your company with the same strategic focus and dedication we bring to every legal matter.
Our team is experienced in representing Bay Area businesses in a broad range of commercial disputes. We handle breach of contract cases, partnership and shareholder disagreements, claims involving unfair competition or trade secret misappropriation, and conflicts arising from failed business transactions. We also represent employers in employment-related litigation, including wage claims, discrimination allegations, and wrongful termination suits.
Our approach to litigation is always pragmatic. We understand that protracted legal battles can drain time and resources, which is why we focus on delivering efficient, targeted legal strategies that align with your business objectives. We work closely with you to assess risks, explore settlement opportunities when appropriate, and aggressively pursue your interests when trial is unavoidable.
With over three decades of experience in business and commercial law, we combine deep legal knowledge with a practical understanding of what’s at stake. Our priority is always to protect your bottom line and position your business for long-term success—even in the face of legal conflict.
Why Choose the Law Offices of Denise Eaton May, P.C.?
Choosing the right legal partner can make a meaningful difference in the success and longevity of your business. At the Law Offices of Denise Eaton May, P.C., we bring more than 30 years of focused experience in business and commercial law to every client relationship. Our firm is built on a holistic approach—supporting businesses from their earliest stages through periods of growth, transition, and conflict resolution.
Our firm is proud to serve businesses throughout the Bay Area from our offices in Hayward, Pleasanton, and Oakland. We understand the unique challenges and opportunities facing entrepreneurs and business owners in the East Bay.
We are equally skilled in litigation and alternative dispute resolution, allowing us to adapt our strategy to your needs, your budget, and your goals. Whether you need help forming a new business, navigating complex contracts, mediating a sensitive dispute, or protecting your interests in court, we are prepared to guide you with clarity and purpose.
Our clients appreciate our responsiveness, our attention to detail, and our commitment to building relationships that last. We don’t offer one-size-fits-all solutions. Instead, we take the time to understand your business, your values, and your vision for the future so we can provide legal counsel that’s aligned with where you’re headed.
Above all, we are dedicated to helping Bay Area businesses grow and thrive in one of the most competitive and innovative regions in the country. With us, you’ll have a legal partner who sees the bigger picture and is ready to help you succeed.
Contact Us for a Confidential Consultation
Let’s build something strong together. If you need experienced legal counsel for your business, contact the Law Offices of Denise Eaton May, P.C., today. Get in touch today to schedule a confidential consultation. We’re ready to help your business take its next step with confidence.
