OUR AREAS OF PRACTICE

Do It Yourself Law — With web sites persuading people to be their own lawyer by filling out forms, the public is often misled into thinking they can save money and do what lawyers are trained to do. Later costly mistakes are revealed, and these people then are forced to go through the expensive process of undoing their errors. Often this involves judicial review that could have been avoided by a short simple session with an experienced lawyer. It may prove to be much cheaper to let our lawyers review your document now rather than face litigation later. Give us a call today.

Facing Your Government or Private Agency — this law firm has faced all kinds of government and private entities including, Internal Revenue Service (IRS), United State Treasury, Employment Development Department (EDD), Board of Equalization (BOE), Franchise Tax Board (FTB), Orange County Assessor's Office, National Association of Security Dealers (NASD), Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Mandatory Fee Arbitration (MFA), Department of Labor (DOL) Secretary of State, Department of Corporations, Superior Court, Court of Appeals, Supreme Court, Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), Board of Accountancy, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC), Attorney General, and many others. Let us help you with your agency problem.

AREAS OF PRACTICE

LAWSUITS

Watkins, Blakely & Torgerson, LLP has trial lawyers seasoned by many years of all litigation. They have proven themselves with defense verdicts, arbitration awards and plaintiff's judgments that are designed to meet each client's needs. We work with various companies in numerous industry sectors to solve complex legal problems quickly and efficiently, well before lawsuits escalate into enterprise-threatening litigation. The areas of litigation and types of lawsuits in which the law firm offers years of experience, include but are not limited to:

REAL ESTATE LITIGATION

Representation of Defendants and Plaintiffs in cases involving property owners, property management companies, developers, designers, architects, engineers, contractors, subcontractors, builders, electricians, carpenters, plumbers, real estate brokers, agents and sales people, escrow companies, buyers / sellers, landlords, tenants, homeowner associations, regarding leases, construction and property contract disputes, title disputes, land use matters, zoning, construction defects, insurance, landslides, property damage, easement creation and violations, boundary arguments, residential, commercial, condominium disagreements, and the many typical problems arising out of the purchase, sale and other contract disputes. Whether it is mediation, arbitration, jury trial, judge trial, bench trial or appellate work after the trial, this law firm can give you personal assistance. Tell us about your special problem. We listen.

PROBATE ESTATE AND TRUST LITIGATION

Members of the firm are especially qualified to handle will contests, defend and prosecute trustees, personal representatives and executors in all probate and trust matters. Creditors beneficiaries, and heirs, usually have legal questions and needs involving interpretations of trusts, wills, advanced health care directives, estate tax, administration, attorney or accountant malpractice, elder abuse, and other problems of receiving and paying of an inheritance. Members of the firm are experienced in the field of accounting, tax and estate planning so that when a dispute arises over a will, trust, power of attorney or other estate related documents you are assured of receiving practical and helpful assistance.

DEFENSE OF PROFESSIONALS

Whether you are a Certified Public Accountant, Architect, Engineer, Medical Doctor, Dentist, Psychologist, Psychiatrist, Chiropractor, Medical technician, Registered Nurse, Professor, Teacher, Appraiser, Lawyer, Paralegal, Legal Assistant, Corporate Director, Corporate Officer, President, Vice President, Treasurer, Financial Officer, Treasurer, Secretary of a corporation, member or manager of a Limited Liability Company, Computer Programmer, Software Designer, Physicist, Chemist, Pharmacist, Scientist, Minister, Evangelist, Christian Science Practitioner, Bookkeeper, Tax Return Preparer, Enrolled Agent, or the member of various other professions, this law firm has already represented professionals just like you in litigation. The depth of experience at Watkins, Blakely & Torgerson will help you to meet your litigation problems properly and effectively.

TAX APPEALS AND LITIGATION

Whether it is income tax, payroll tax, sales tax or estate tax, Watkins, Blakely & Torgerson can help. These lawyers are experienced in obtaining favorable tax rulings, working with federal Internal Revenue Service and state field agents and revenue enforcement agents. Some times it may be better to submit a well thought out offer to pay some portion of the tax, and other times it is better to fight the tax. In addition to having an accounting background the attorneys have experience in appearances at the district and appellate levels on estate and gift problems, income taxes and expense deductions, nonfiling, sales taxes, property taxes and employment taxation. Discuss your special needs with the attorneys today.

GENERAL TAXATION

Watkins, Blakely has a full-service tax practice capable of serving all the tax requirements of our clients. Tax advice is provided to operating business as well as to individuals, partnership, limited liability companies, corporations, and tax-exempt organizations. This field includes offering services in:

  • IRS and FTB tax audits
  • Tax appeals and rulings
  • Tax court litigation
  • IRS negotiations and offers in compromise
  • Tax-deferred contributions, exchanges and earnings
  • Federal and State tax guidance and compliance
  • Penalty and interest problems

ESTATE PLANNING

When does it still make sense to create a will rather than a trust? When do you need a living revocable trust? Can income and estate taxes be minimized through careful planning now? Should your trust be irrevocable? Are your minor children going to be properly cared for in the event of your absence? Is a Guardianship needed. Will creditors take your inheritance? Watkins, Blakely, Torgerson can provide meaningful answers to these questions and in such a manner as to meet your individual needs. Our lawyers are experienced in all aspects of estate planning, including:

  • Wills
  • Revocable living trusts
  • Irrevocable insurance trusts
  • Post death trust administration
  • Probate of wills
  • Powers of attorney
  • Estate tax planning
  • Advanced Health Care Power of Attorney
  • Removal of trustee / executor?

REAL ESTATE LAW

Watkins, Blakely has many years of experience in representing owners, developers, brokers, property management companies, title companies and financial institutions. We assist clients in matters involving all types of real property, including shopping centers, office, retail, industrial and residential. The following areas include some of the work experience offered to clients:

  • Lease negotiations and documentation
  • Real estate sales and purchases
  • Title issues
  • Real estate taxation, including erroneously assessed parcels
  • Broker disputes
  • Financing documentation
  • Homeowners associations
  • Land use and environmental law
  • Commercial and industrial development
  • Property tax appeals
  • Common Interest Developments
  • Shopping centers Ground leases

BUSINESS AND CORPORATE LAW

Today new entities are formed rapidly. Transactions are more complex. Contract negotiations are burdened with additional risk. These challenges require the involvement of highly experienced and effective legal counsel. Watkins, Blakely business and corporate lawyers recognize complex legal issues, and endeavor to move beyond them to help their clients attain their business objectives. The services offered in this area include:

  • Formation of new businesses
  • General and Limited Partnerships
  • Limited Liability Companies
  • Limited Liability Partnerships
  • Contract negotiations
  • Merger and acquisition negotiations and agreements
  • Loan agreements and documentation
  • Dissolutions of corporations, partnerships and other business entities

COPYRIGHTS, TRADEMARKS AND SERVICE MARKS

Protect your original creations and business concepts with help from the law firm. For some business entities this is an important step in their business strategy. Literary accomplishments, works of art and business design concepts can benefit from the advantages offered by the U. S. Government. Talk to a WBT attorney today about this protection.

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