Commercial Leases, Arbitration, and Attorney Fee Awards
This post was primarily authored by Zachary B. Young, a “Rising Star” for four years running who was recently elevated to Partner at Patton Sullivan Brodehl…
Developers Lose Challenge to Annexation Fees
Real estate developers are painfully aware of various types of fees imposed by local agencies as a condition for permitting development projects. A pair of opinions…
Loan Modifications and Losing Lien Priority
Modifying a loan can sometimes cause a loss of lien priority. It all depends on the facts underlying the modification, and even the original loan. A…
Attorney Fee Recovery by Third Parties Dragged into Commercial Lease Disputes
Commercial leases often contain attorney fee provisions allowing a party who prevails in litigation to recover attorney fees from the losing party. Can those attorney fee…
Landlord’s Constitutional Challenge to Covid-19 Eviction Moratorium Fails
This post was primarily authored by Zachary B. Young, a “Rising Star” for four years running and a Litigation Associate at Patton Sullivan Brodehl LLP. As…
Deed Language Defines the Scope of a Reserved Easement
Under California law, a grant deed is generally understood to transfer the entire fee title interest in real property, unless it expressly states otherwise. (See, e.g.,…
HOAs vs. ADUs
Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) have become popular during the run up in California real estate values. ADUs have been touted for several benefits, including increasing housing…
Alter Ego Claims — Beware Attorney Fee Liability
One of the essential purposes of forming an entity and conducting business through that entity is to limit the owners’ personal liability. California law generally views…
Relying on a Void Quiet Title Judgment
Under California’s Quiet Title Act, a third party who acts in reliance on a quiet title judgment retains its property rights even if that quiet title…
Deeds of Trust and Community Property
A deed of trust beneficiary usually feels pretty confident with the validity of the deed as long as it is signed by an owner of the…