The Pros

Going public certainly comes with several benefits, including:

• Access to greater capital: The best and primary reason for any business to go public is the access to even more capital without debt looming over your head, allowing you to expand with less worry. Generally a company’s ratio of debt to equity will improve after going public.
• Equity: Equity, usually in the form of stock or company shares, can be used as an incentive or bonus and included as part of an employee’s contract. Equity is a great way to retain key members in your team as company stock has long-term value that far exceeds a paycheck. Equity also has high liquidity, so you can turn it into cash quickly to pay off debts or purchase or acquire other businesses.
• Media attention: Turns out, going public actually gains you public appeal. The media tends to talk about public companies more. Furthermore, your stocks are put into the market. That means millions of people—analysts, investors, and institutions—will see your stocks and your company every day.
• Risk control: Business always comes at a risk, but if you ever feel that your shares are dropping in price, you can easily sell them. Publicly traded shares are easier to sell and have a higher liquidity than privately held shares, making it easier to pull the trigger if you need to.

The Cons

However, going public isn’t all sunshine and roses. Your company may not have matured enough for you to sell public shares. Disadvantages of going public include:

• Expenses: You probably aren’t familiar with the registration, IPO process, and it’s not smart to just wing it. You need help from your local San Diego lawyers to make heads or tails of the process. You also have to factor in accounting, underwriting, travel, and more, all of which costs money, but you need professionals to guide you through the process. Not doing so could lead to serious problems and even counsel from a San Diego criminal attorney!
• Filing and reporting requirements: The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires you to provide full disclosure to investors so that they may make informed decisions. These are very strict requirements but are necessary to ensure accuracy and legality in corporate financing. However, that means more paperwork from you and more stringent reporting.
• Control: By going public, management loses some of its control and freedom. You cannot act without first consulting the board and the majority shareholders in various matters.

Going public is a big step in a company’s growth, but one that may be too early for you. Consult an attorney and accountant before you decide to go public with your company.

What is Wrongful Termination?

The fact is, most employment is at will, which means you can quit at any time, but also means your boss can fire you at any time, for any reason or no reason at all. As wrong as it feels, getting laid off isn’t reason alone to hire a San Diego employment lawyer.

Wrongful termination refers to a termination that breaches terms of your contract of employment, including retaliation and failure to follow proper termination procedures. An employer cannot fire you for refusing to commit an illegal act. The most common form of wrongful termination is discrimination. An employer cannot terminate you because of your race, nationality, gender, age, or religious beliefs.

What You Can Do?

If you believe you have been wrongfully terminated, your first step is to find some professional lawyers in San Diego who can help you research the wrongful termination laws in your state. These laws differ from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. For example, not all states recognize termination based on your sexual orientation as a form of discrimination.

Check your state’s wrongful termination laws alongside your employee manual or contract. Your attorney can clear up any clauses you don’t understand. Keep any evidence of your dismissal—a termination slip or letter from your employer stating your firing.

If you are positive you’ve been wrongfully terminated, you can proceed to file a claim. Who you file a claim to depends on the form of wrongful termination you experienced. If you were discriminated against, you would send your claim to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. For family issues or medical leave, contact the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division. For whistle blowing, you would send your claim to the Occupational Health and Safety Administration. Your employment attorney should give you an idea of where and how to send your claim.

Severance Package

In lieu of filing a wrongful termination suit, you may be able to negotiate an alternative settlement, most commonly a severance package. An employer isn’t required to give fired or laid off employees severance packages, but a financial attorney may advise your former employer to provide a severance package instead of dealing with the long, pricey legal process.

Consult with an employment lawyer if you believe you have been wrongfully terminated.

A Need for Both Parents
The American Coalition for Fathers and Children is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting equal rights for both parents in court and in family law legislation. According to the coalition, children are in need of positive interaction with both their mothers and their fathers in order to mature and develop properly. In a custody case, understanding that both parents should be involved is a good sign that you are a good candidate for shared custody as it demonstrates that you are reasonable and willing to work out an agreement with the other parent.

A True Interest
Divorce attorneys for men ensure that males involved in divorce proceedings are treated fairly and equitably. These legal professionals understand that not every father is fit for custody of his children, but they do believe that every father has the legal right to some form of custody. A second sign that a father is right for custody is a display of true interest in the lives and welfare of his children.

Meaningful Involvement
Winning a custody battle takes more than saying that you are interested in your children. You need to put some action behind those words by getting involved in the lives of your kids. A third sign that you are right for custody: you have a well-established relationship with your children as opposed to fostering a connection at the last minute.

Financial Stability
The fourth sign is financial stability. A father’s custody rights may be awarded if the man shows that he is more capable of providing financially for his children. Holding down a steady job is a sign that you are a responsible adult who can be trusted with preserving the welfare of minors.

Honesty
In a custody battle, you will meet with a social worker for a custody evaluation. Honesty is vital in demonstrating that you are a competent and capable parent. Answer all questions truthfully and do not be afraid to exhibit emotion during the meeting. These things show the evaluator that you are sincere in your quest for custody.

Article written by Christopher Kratsas

Legal Rights for Deployed Service Members
Military divorces can be rather complicated, particularly for those who are deployed overseas. According to the United States Department of Justice, Congress has enacted a number of laws and regulations that govern and preserve the legal rights of men and women serving America. Military legal assistance offices can provide some level of help, but they are not authorized to represent anyone’s interests in court. There is a demand for family law attorneys in military divorces.

What to Do
If you have been served with divorce papers while deployed, you can request an additional ninety day extension before being required to respond. In the event that a service member is deployed overseas and is unable to return home to respond to the situation or to appear in court, a judge will agree to postpone a divorce case until after you return from your tour of duty. In the meantime, however, hire a lawyer who can represent you while you are deployed. This ensures that nothing is overlooked and maintains a steady and reliable line of communication.

Fathers Rights
If you are a father faced with a pending divorce while deployed, contact an attorney who is familiar with divorce-related rights for fathers. By working with a knowledgeable attorney, you can ensure that your rights as a father are protected throughout the divorce process and that your side of the story is heard. This is particularly valuable for those who are deployed while going through a divorce as an attorney can represent you while you are unable to attend the required hearings and meetings. Do not let your situation work against you in your divorce case and any related custody battles. An attorney who specializes in family law can handle all of the details while you are serving our country.

Article written by Christopher Kratsas

Reputation
A personal injury lawyer works with clients who have suffered personal harm, often caused by a slip and fall, fender bender, construction accident, dog bite, or other unfortunate accident. In the process of choosing a law firm, take into consideration the reputations of the firms you come across. Research the backgrounds of the attorneys at the firm, and avoid working with a lawyer who has been censured or whose name appears on a watch list.

Power of Referrals
It is often difficult to decide which firm to hire, especially if you have not had experience working with a legal professional in the past. How do you evaluate your choices if you do not know what to base your decision on? This is where referrals come in handy. Speak with people you know and ask for opinions regarding the attorneys or law firms you are considering. Would anyone recommend a particular legal firm or lawyer? Use independent, third-party websites where people can post reviews of various legal services to evaluate your options based on others’ real-life experience.

Compare Legal Fees
As with any service, specialization in a particular field will most likely cost you additional money. When looking for a medical lawyer, evaluate your financial situation and determine how important it is that you work with a highly reputable or highly specialized expert in the field. All lawyers must undergo extensive education and testing before they are able to practice law, so even a less prestigious medical law firm is likely to provide you with the help you need. Compare applicable legal fees and make a reasonable, well-informed decision based on your financial situation.

Don’t Let Expenses Stop You
Lastly, if you cannot afford a lawyer, you may qualify for discounted or free legal help. To find the nearest legal aid office near you, contact the National Legal Aid and Defender Association.

Article written by Christopher Kratsas

The Value of Lawyers
Lawyers, allow for the workings of a well-oiled social order. Due to the complexity of the law and the demand for legal services in America, the law profession is of immense value. Just like in any industry, the legal world can include some unethical or incompetent workers. However, it is important to understand the importance of what lawyers do for society on a daily basis.

When it comes to lawyers in San Diego, you are paying for in-depth knowledge of how laws work and what your rights are as a citizen. The real goal of a lawyer is to protect your property, your freedom, and your best interests under the law and to advise individuals and companies on how to avoid future legal issues by establishing and upholding a proper legal framework.

Two Sides of the Law
Even in a criminal law case, people have the right to proper representation to ensure that an innocent victim is not incarcerated and that the legal system works correctly from both sides. In this instance, a San Diego criminal attorney will work to protect an individual’s rights in the court of law by ensuring that he or she is given a fair trial.

Legal professionals are not only helpful for attaining a just verdict and sorting out problems in the court of law. Lawyers can help in the preservation of order by providing expertise and consulting services. Attorneys can oversee the proper construction of contracts and clearly state the expectations of business agreements and related financial matters.

Article written by Christopher Kratsas

Lawyers are important members of society in that they exist to defend and/or prosecute those who have been charged with breaking the law. Just because a person is accused of a crime does not necessarily mean they are guilty. San Diego lawyers and legal professionals assist in cases in which a law or laws have been breached and can apply their knowledge in various areas, including securities law and employment law.

Securities Law
In the financial world, securities come in the form of notes, stocks, bonds, treasury stocks, certificates of interest, and certificates of deposit. These securities are assigned various values and are governed by particular laws. Securities lawyers understand the unique informational needs of investors and ensure that these individuals receive accurate and necessary information regarding the nature and value of the security or interest under consideration for purchase.

The Securities Law homepage is an online guide to the laws and regulations of the securities markets. These markets and stock exchanges provide a particular place, method, and rules for acquiring securities and are also heavily regulated by the government to avoid fraud, dishonesty, and other problems associated with financial matters and large sums of money.

Employment Law
A number of laws also exist to govern the contractual relationship between employers and their employees. An array of state and federal laws exist that regulate this connection and protect the rights of both parties. These statutes arose from the often deplorable and unsafe working environments and the unfair labor practices of the late 1800s through the mid to late 1900s. Even today, injustices occur regularly in the workplace, so it is important that we have knowledgeable employment attorneys who can act as a source of legal advice and representation when dealing with issues involving things like workplace harassment and worker’s compensation.

A San Diego employment lawyer is proactive in helping to reduce or eliminate the risk of litigation. By working with businesses to amend and eradicate potentially harmful practices, an attorney can be an invaluable asset.

Article written by Christopher Kratsas

Business and Corporate Financial Services
Lawyers in San Diego vary in areas of expertise, educational background, and investigation and legal style. You need to find a law firm that specializes in financial and business-related matters in order to get the best level of service possible. Refer to the United States Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral Directory to find legal professionals whose focus aligns with your needs.

Attorneys are not only needed in times of trouble. In fact, many businesses and corporations rely on lawyers for the detailed process of registering, preparing for, and actuating a range of financial transactions and deals. Financial service attorneys can not only assist in litigation, but also help companies comply with federal and state financial regulations, enact subordinated debt offerings, oversee capital infusions, and effectuate secured and unsecured lending programs. There is quite a lot that goes into these financial processes, so it is important that businesses employ the services of a skilled attorney to ensure that all paperwork is completed, deadlines are met, and that everything goes smoothly.

In addition, these legal professionals can advise clients in real estate matters and joint ventures. With experienced staff members and knowledge of proper legal documentation, a financial law firm can help businesses and individuals alike prepare real estate and loan-related paperwork.

Labor and Employment Attorneys
A San Diego employment lawyer is helpful when navigating employer-employee relationships and contracts. If a current or former employee brings a lawsuit against his or her employer, the company should rely on the knowledge and skills of an employment lawyer. Employment lawyers provide useful mediation and negotiation services between the involved parties, regardless of whether the situation involves claims of harassment or discrimination, collective bargaining efforts, or wage and compensation-related issues. As labor laws and regulations differ from state to state, a local attorney can provide the highest level of knowledge available regarding all the applicable state and federal laws that govern relationships between employers and employees.

Article written by Christopher Kratsas

Legal Rights
The National Fathers’ Resource Center is offered by the Fathers for Equal Rights group, headquartered in Dallas, Texas. The organization exists to extend its vision that children should have the right to healthy relationships with their parents, regardless of the status of the family structure. These relationships are key in a child’s development and can affect his parenting style in the future. By working with a family law attorney, you can rest assured that the legal rights for fathers and husbands will be protected throughout the difficult divorce process.

What You Can Do
So besides taking legal action, what else can you do to increase the chances of winning child custody? There are a number of steps you can take that may lead to a favorable ruling, and the number one priority is to know your children. This means more than just being able to describe their physical characteristics. Being able to understand your children, their thoughts, their likes and dislikes, their personalities, and other unique characteristics, is of the utmost importance. Take the time to get acquainted with your children’s friends and the friends’ parents. These steps display a deeper level of care and attention than attending to the physical needs of a child.

Stay Involved
Be active and involved in your kids’ lives as much as possible. This includes being involved at school and in your kids’extracurricular activities, such as sports teams or clubs. Interact with teachers, coaches, and other authority figures who know your children, and volunteer your time to provide any assistance that may be needed. Involved parents are more likely to remain a central figure in their children’s lives. A dedicated and meaningful level of involvement shows that a parent truly does care for his child and will help the deciding legal parties reach a reasonable solution regarding child custody for fathers.

Child custody battles are difficult for all parties involved. Hopefully, you and your former spouse can reach an agreement that works to your child’s benefit.

Article written by Christopher Kratsas

Support to Appeal a Ruling
The losing party in a decision by a trial in the United States federal legal system is typically entitled to appeal the decision. Anyone convicted of a crime may appeal the ruling in the event that they feel an error has occurred. Appeals attorneys are well versed in preparing cases for appellate courts and representing their clients during all phases of the often lengthy appeals process. Appeals attorneys know how to properly and effectively plead your case in front of the court and negotiate during mediation sessions and settlement conferences. This gives the client a reliable resource that he or she can turn to for valuable legal advice in the event of an appeal.

Criminal Defense Services
You have probably heard stories about individuals who have been falsely accused and convicted of a crime they did not commit. While you may not like to think about it, the possibility exists that a similar event could, at some point, happen to you. It can sometimes be a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time that could lead to you being targeted as a criminal.  In other instances, such as in white collar crimes, criminal activity is premeditated with the intention of bringing about illegal financial gain for the perpetrators. The FBI asserts that “white collar crime” is a term coined in 1939 that refers to a range of scams and fraudulent activities carried out by government officials, government agencies, businesses, and even private citizens. While this type of crime does not inflict physical harm, its effects can be devastating to a person, family, or business and even more catastrophic for someone who is wrongly accused.

If you find yourself wrongfully named as the perpetrator of a criminal act, you deserve the service and support of a skillful lawyer to defend against the allegations. A San Diego criminal attorney who provides experienced legal services in the realm of business and white collar crime will help you understand your rights, work hard to represent you and your case, and see that justice is served. Your future and your reputation depend on it.

Article written by Christopher Kratsas