- DivorceThere are two primary reasons for choosing divorce mediation, as Vanessa Soto Nellis, a Certified Specialist in Family Law designated by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization, explains.
- Child SupportMore specifically, we assist clients in the following matters: child custody and visitation; child support; spousal support; resolution of tax issues; division of assets and debts; and allocation of interests in retirement plans. Our Family Law attorneys also assist clients in matters related to prenuptial agreements; postnuptial agreements; cohabitation agreements; and paternity. We provide divorce mediation services on all California family law issues.
- Child Custody and Visitation
- Paternity
- Premarital AgreementThe mere fact that a person marries does not by itself change separate property to community property. But you and your spouse can redefine what is separate or community property through transmutation, commonly through California prenuptial and postnuptial agreements.
- GuardianshipLewitt Hackman’s Trusts & Estate Planning Attorneys help survivors deal with the probate court when necessary and to avoid its jurisdiction when appropriate. This involvement encompasses obtaining court approval of complex sale transactions and resolution of will contests and other disputes involving the estate. We also represent clients in other matters under the probate court’s jurisdiction, including conservatorship and guardianship proceedings and continuing court supervision of certain trusts.
- Spousal SupportWe advise our clients seeking a divorce in California of the various tax effects of the division and transfer of property between spouses, deductibility of spousal support payments, the allocation of interests in pension and profit sharing plans, and dependency exceptions.
- Legal SeparationWhat exactly is considered separate property under California community property law ? Assuming that there has been no “commingling†or gift, if a dissolution or legal separation occurs, a person’s separate property generally includes...
- Wrongful DeathFor consumers, we provide experienced, strong and caring representation in Personal Injury and wrongful death cases, and complex Family Law matters. Our firm has entire departments devoted to each practice area.
- Restraining OrderThese litigation matters frequently require our diverse expertise in seeking or opposing pre-judgment relief, such as temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions, writs of attachment and the appointment of receivers.
- Corporate LawOver the years, Lewitt Hackman developed the experience and expertise necessary to help family owned and closely held businesses align and balance the sometimes competing objectives of effective corporate governance, family harmony and financial success.
- Mergers and AcquisitionsSince inception, one of our Firm’s principal specialties has been in the area of mergers and acquisitions involving public and private companies, closely held family businesses and individuals. These services include the analysis, structure, negotiation, and preparation of documentation relating to the purchase, sale, merger, consolidation or recapitalization of operating businesses.
- Business TransactionsWe walk our clients through the myriad of tax questions that arise in the course of corporate and business transactions. These questions can include determining whether a transaction should be structured as a taxable sale, involving increased potential for depreciation by the purchaser, or a tax-free transaction ranging in complexity from a standard statutory merger  to a reverse-triangular merger.
- Limited Liability Companies
- Trade Secrets
- Intellectual Property
- Unfair CompetitionOur Intellectual Property Lawyers have assisted in protecting prominent brands in wide ranging industries, including education, restaurants, hospitality, automotive, cosmetics, clothing, consulting, safety, wines and spirits, tobacco, entertainment, technology, hand tools, and many other industries.
- Workers Compensation
- Wrongful TerminationLewitt Hackman’s California Employment Law Attorneys conduct seminars and provide on-site training on avoiding and responding to claims of harassment, discrimination and retaliation, wage and hour administration, how to avoid litigation for wrongful termination and new employment laws. We are state bar accredited MCLE providers.
- Employment DiscriminationWe also defend wrongful termination claims under California Labor Code §132a made within the workers’ compensation system. The Employment Law Department further defends employers charged by state or federal government agencies for alleged violations of labor and employment laws, such as wage and hour, employment discrimination and harassment.
- Employment Contract
- Severance AgreementOur employment defense attorneys are ready to provide counsel pertaining to engaging temporary staff, interviewing, recruitment and hiring, conducting and documenting employee evaluations, administering discipline, making terminations, and maintaining personnel files — as well as compliance with state and federal legislation regarding...
- Real Estate LitigationOur Firm’s litigation capabilities have proven invaluable in resolving real estate disputes in administrative, governmental, trial and appellate forums.
- Premises Liability
- Construction LitigationTypical matters have included franchise litigation; corporate, shareholder and partnership disputes; construction claims ranging from foreclosure of mechanic liens to intricate and complex construction defect cases; real estate matters, including actions for specific performance, breach of contract, fraud, rescission, negligence, breach of fiduciary duty, accountings and quiet title actions; insurance coverage disputes (including bad faith actions); employee wrongful termination disputes; and actions relating to the recovery of personal and real property.
- Land Use and ZoningThe diverse experience of our Real Estate Attorneys in tax, corporate and general business matters as well as litigation related thereto, assures full service representation with respect to real estate ownership by individuals, partnerships or corporations. We have also been actively involved in limited partnerships and other types of syndications, often involving multi-owner developments.
- Personal InjuryOur Personal Injury Practice Group handles litigation of complex and serious personal injury matters, which are undertaken on a contingent fee basis (no fee to the client unless a favorable outcome is obtained).
- Estate PlanningOur Firm has a full-service Tax and Estate Planning Practice Group capable of servicing virtually all the tax requirements and estate planning  needs of our clients – whether incident to an essentially non-tax matter, such as the acquisition or sale of a business or real estate, or to a purely tax-oriented matter.
- Wills
- TrustsClients are counseled on the appropriate use of various available techniques, such as living trusts utilizing the unlimited marital deduction through the use of “Q-TIP” trusts and unified credit trusts; and minimizing the adverse effects of the generation-skipping tax. Often we work with clients to reduce their taxable estate through lifetime gift planning, use of life insurance trusts, residence “QPRTs” and other trusts, and family limited partnerships or LLCs.
- Power of AttorneyOverall estate planning usually begins with the creation of a revocable family trust, wills, and durable powers of attorney for health care and financial management. Depending upon the client’s need, we often establish business entities such as Limited Liability Companies or Corporations, and/or prepare insurance, charitable and other irrevocable trusts.
- Probate
- Foreclosure
- Tax LawLewitt Hackman has the resources needed to handle complex business and tax issues related to family law, and to respond quickly to urgent family law matters. Our Divorce Attorneys are readily accessible to answer the questions and concerns of our clients.