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IRVINE, CA, January 16, 2017 — Richard W. Millar, Jr. has joined Friedman Stroffe & Gerard, P.C. (“FSG”) as Of Counsel.  Millar will work in FSG’s Litigation and Real Estate & Construction groups. FSG is a leading transactional and litigation law firm based in Irvine.

Millar has been a practicing attorney in California for approximately 50 years.  He is well-known in the Orange County legal community as a top litigator and as a regular columnist for “Orange County Lawyer Magazine” (official publication of the Orange County Bar Association) with over 160 articles published. Millar’s practice is primarily business, real estate, and construction litigation.  Over the years, he has been hired by almost every title insurance company operating in Southern California to litigate real estate title issues.  He has tried over 100 cases to verdict and handled over 50 Appeals. Millar has represented owners, general contractors, and subcontractors in a wide variety of construction disputes.

Millar has received Martindale-Hubbell’s A-V rating for 35 years. The A-V rating is the highest rating possible for both legal ability and ethics. He has a 10 AVVO rating and is listed in Who’s Who in the World, Who’s Who in America, and Who’s Who in American Law.

In 2015, Dick received the Franklin G. West Award from the Orange County Bar Association, which is the Bar’s highest award presented to an outstanding attorney or judge who has advanced justice and the law.

Millar served for several years on the Orange County Superior Court’s Arbitration and Mandatory Settlement Conference panels. He has also acted as a private mediator. He has served as an expert witness in the Orange County Superior Court in attorney malpractice actions as well as attorney fee disputes.  Millar started his legal career in Los Angeles, first as a law clerk and then as Deputy District Attorney in the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office. He then moved into private practice and for the last 35 years was a partner at a prominent Orange County firm.  Millar received his J.D. from the University of San Francisco.  His memberships have included the American Bar Association, American Bar Foundation, Orange County Bar Association, Peter Elliot Inn of Court, and the Association of Business Trial Lawyers.  In 2002, Millar served as President of the Orange County Bar Association, which is one of the largest Bar Associations in America.

“We are very pleased to have Richard join our firm,” says James D. Stroffe, managing shareholder. “His stellar reputation and vast experience in litigation will be a tremendous asset in serving FSG’s clients. Also, having Richard join us makes FSG the only law firm in Orange County that has two former Orange County Bar Presidents in the same firm (Robert Gerard was the Bar President in 2003).”

NEWS RELEASE

By now, most businesses are aware of the obligation to have all business premises compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, which requires that disabled persons be afforded “the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations of any place of public accommodation.” Recently, the U.S. Department of Justice and private plaintiffs’ attorneys have extended this obligation to online websites.  Read the article.

If you require further information regarding this matter, you should contact Bryan Friedman (bfriedman@fsglawyers.com) at Friedman Stroffe & Gerard, P.C. or an attorney regularly handling your affairs.

The United States Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division (“DOL”) has announced it will be conducting random audits in 2016 within the apparel industry to determine compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”), which includes, among other things, provisions on minimum wage, overtime, equal pay, child labor and record keeping requirements. In the past, these audits have resulted in companies paying substantial dollars in back wages arising from noncompliance for infringements by contractors used to manufacture goods.   Read the full article.

Questions? Contact Bryan at bfriedman@fsglawyers.com or 949-265-1106. Contact Jennifer at jvstroffe@fsglawyers.com or 949-265-1125.

The days of traditional unpaid internships may be behind us. Here’s how to tell if your businesses’ internship program needs a reboot.  Read the full article.

Questions? Contact Susan at sarduengo@fsglawyers.com.

IRVINE, CA, FEBRUARY 8, 2016 — Friedman Stroffe & Gerard, P.C. (FSG) has been selected by the Orange County Business Journal for its annual list of the top law firms in Orange County.

The list is compiled by Orange County Business Journal staff through surveys distributed to and completed by local law firms.  This is the first year that FSG has submitted the survey data and the firm was immediately selected, ranking #76 in FSG’s first year on the list.  Over 1,000 law firms, comprising over 16,000 attorneys, operate in Orange County, so ranking in the Top 100 is an honor.

“We’re pleased to be recognized by the Orange County Business Journal as one of the top law firms in Orange County,” says James D. Stroffe, managing partner. “We represent a broad spectrum of domestic and foreign clients, from corporations listed on national and regional stock exchanges to family-owned businesses and individuals — and we thank all of them for their support, which has allowed FSG to achieve this recognition.  At FSG, we understand that our job is to support our clients in achieving their objectives in an efficient and cost-effective manner; this award proves that our approach works.”

FSG serves its clients in a wide variety of business transactions and litigation matters. Practice groups include: Corporate & Business; Intellectual Property; Real Estate & Construction; Litigation; and Employment & Labor.

FSG attorneys are not only highly qualified lawyers educated in the nation’s top law schools with backgrounds in reputable private firms, many have also served as in-house attorneys and senior business executives.   See “Attorneys” for further information on the firm’s 12 attorneys.

NEWS RELEASE

IRVINE, CA, FEBRUARY 24, 2016 — The big question on everyone’s mind at last week’s Orange County State of the Market real estate conference in Irvine was what to expect in the year ahead.  Over 300 commercial real estate professionals attended the event.

Friedman Stroffe & Gerard shareholder and attorney Jennifer Stroffe, who moderated the “Capital Markets – How and Where Deals Are Getting Done” panel, said experts are divided on whether there will be a downturn in the commercial real estate market this year.  Her ad hoc poll of conference attendees was unanimous – no one expects a downturn in 2016! Jennifer’s panel members included: Brian Good, President, Eagle Group Finance; Jason Krupoff, SVP, Bellwether Enterprise; Kevin Kaberna, Senior Managing Director, Greystar Real Estate Partners; and Seth Grossman, Managing Director, Meridian Capital Group.

Carlsbad-based Meridian Capital Group managing director Seth Grossman said ”While we’re very bullish in California, this is the first time since 2011 there is reason to believe things are going to change.” In the past few months, lenders have pulled back on riskier deals, he said. “Lenders are imposing structure, so I think we’re not going to see the world end, not going to fall off a cliff this year, but there is definitely a change in the market, where small or less experienced players will not be treated as ‘institutionally’ as they think they deserve,” Grossman continued.

“Capital has become more selective, though not less available,” said LA-based Greystar Real Estate Partners managing director Shawn Hansen. He said the cost for capital is a little higher than the middle of last year. “We’re also seeing spreads widen—about 25 basis points and are using fixed and floating debt—more floating right now using the big balance sheet lenders.”

Jennifer also asked what factors or variables will impact the market in 2016.   Read an article with more details of the panel discussion.

NEWS RELEASE

IRVINE, CA, JANUARY 11, 2016 — Jennifer V. Stroffe has been promoted to Shareholder at Friedman Stroffe & Gerard, P.C., a leading transactional and litigation law firm based in Irvine.

With over 13 years of experience in complex business and real estate transactions, Stroffe acts as outside general counsel to various businesses ranging from local startups to national companies. Her practice focuses on the structuring, negotiating and closing of commercial transactions, including the acquisition, disposition and financing of businesses, real property and personal property. Stroffe provides advice to Firm clients on all types of business matters, from corporate governance, commercial contracts, licensing, leasing and the myriad other corporate and real estate issues faced by most businesses.

Prior to joining FSG, Stroffe was an associate attorney with the Los Angeles office of Latham & Watkins, where her duties were split between the Real Property and Corporate Finance departments. Before beginning her law career, Stroffe was a four year starter on the nationally ranked NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Teams for both UC Santa Barbara and Michigan State University and was recognized nationally as an All Big West player and Academic All-American. Raised in Orange County, Jennifer attended Corona Del Mar high school, where she was a two-time first team All-American on its women’s volleyball team, winning unprecedented back-to-back National Championships.

Stroffe earned her J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law (Boalt Hall), Master’s degree from Michigan State University, and Bachelor’s Degree, Summa Cum Laude, from the University of California at Santa Barbara. She is a member of the State Bar of California, Orange County Bar Association, Commercial Real Estate Women – Orange County (former president and member of the board of directors), Athletes Touch, and is a licensed real estate broker with the California Bureau of Real Estate.

NEWS RELEASE

Susan Arduengo explains how action sports employers can throw a festive holiday party without a legal hangover.  Read article, reprinted with permission from Shop-Eat-Surf.com.

FSG’s “Legal Briefing” enewsletter, November 2015 issue, is now available.  Topics include:

• FSG represents Loomworks Apparel in acquisition
• Article: LA Minimum Wage Law
• Recent Engagements: Litigation Practice Group
• Orange County Transactional Network

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