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All Posts By

Afshin Hakim

Nov 25 2025
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How to Handle Disputes Between Co-founders in a Startup

Posted by Posted in Startup & Emerging Companies
Co-founder disputes are one of the biggest, and most preventable, threats to early-stage companies. In the high-pressure startup ecosystems of West Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and Silicon Beach, even the most promising ventures can derail when founders clash over vision, equity, responsibilities, or control. If you’re a Los Angeles startup founder encountering friction with your co-founder, you are far from alone, and the steps you take now can determine whether your company stabilizes or spirals.  Address Issues Early — Before They Threaten the Company  One of the most…
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Nov 10 2025
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Key Contract Clauses Every Los Angeles Small Business Should Have in Their Service Agreements

Posted by Posted in Corporate Governance / M&A / Exits
Owning and operating a small business in Los Angeles means navigating a fast-paced, competitive market, while also complying with California’s highly regulated legal environment. A well-drafted service agreement is one of the most powerful tools a business can use to prevent disputes, define expectations, and protect revenue. Below are critical contractual clauses that every Los Angeles small business should incorporate into their service agreements to safeguard operations and strengthen client relationships. Clear Scope of Work,…
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Nov 05 2025
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Exit Planning for Entrepreneurs: Preparing Your Los Angeles Startup for Acquisition

Posted by Posted in Corporate Governance / M&A / Exits
Los Angeles has become a thriving hub for entrepreneurs, with startups emerging in industries ranging from AI and blockchain to fintech, healthcare, and beyond.  For many founders, acquisition is one of the most rewarding exit strategies, but it doesn’t happen by chance.  Preparing your company for acquisition requires foresight, careful structuring, and guidance from the right professionals, including an experienced startup attorney in Los Angeles.  By working with legal counsel who understands the unique challenges…
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Oct 28 2025
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How Los Angeles Small Businesses Are Navigating the Post-Pandemic Commercial Lease Crisis

Posted by Posted in Business Law, Real Estate & Commercial Leases
Commercial landlords are still reeling from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is fair to say the pandemic fundamentally transformed Los Angeles' commercial real estate landscape, creating an ongoing crisis that continues to challenge businesses, landlords, and policymakers alike.  Los Angeles' commercial lease crisis arose through multiple interconnected challenges. Many businesses accumulated substantial rent debt during pandemic-related closures, while others negotiated temporary rent reductions that are now expiring. The shift toward remote work significantly…
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The Legal Risks and Rewards of AI-Generated Contracts for Los Angeles Businesses
Jul 11 2025
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The Legal Risks and Rewards of AI-Generated Contracts for Los Angeles Businesses

Posted by Posted in Compliance & Securities, Intellectual Property & Technology
It is reasonable to say that artificial intelligence is revolutionizing how businesses, including businesses based in Los Angeles, approach contract creation. The utilization of contract-specific AI tools and applications offer businesses the opportunity to take advantage of unprecedented speed and efficiency in the contract drafting process. As AI tools and applications become more sophisticated, businesses will likely continue to turn to automated contract generation to streamline their contract protocols. However, this technological advancement brings both…
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"AI Washing" and SEC Crackdowns: What Los Angeles Startups Need to Know
Jun 19 2025
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“AI Washing” and SEC Crackdowns: What Los Angeles Startups Need to Know

Posted by Posted in Compliance & Securities, Startup & Emerging Companies
The use of artificial intelligence ("AI") has exploded in popularity and impacted nearly every sector of the economy. The transformative nature of AI has prompted many public companies to try and capitalize on the vast capabilities associated with AI tools and applications. It is becoming increasingly common for companies, during investor conference calls, to proclaim their use of AI. Such declarations have resulted in sharp stock price increases driven by the promise of rapid growth.…
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Jun 17 2025
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Piercing the Corporate Veil and Subsidiary Companies: What You Need to Know

Posted by Posted in Corporate Governance / M&A / Exits
For any business operating in and around Los Angeles, taking steps to mitigate the risk of legal liability is critically important. One of the most common methods for protecting a business from such liability is structuring the corporate entity in a manner that protects it from a court “piercing the corporate veil.” For context, the term “piercing the corporate veil” refers to the situation where a court decides to ignore a recognized liability shield (the…
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