Business Details
42 Years
experience
Your Trusted San Jose Business Law Attorney
Richard G. Burt has provided boutique legal services in business and real estate matters for over four decades. Founded in 1984, the firm combines the expertise of a large firm with the personalized attention of a small practice. With a focus on business entity formation, buy-sell agreements, mergers and acquisitions, and non-profit governance, the firm serves clients across California and beyond.Richard Burt, an AV Preeminent-rated attorney, brings extensive experience from roles at the SEC, Wilmer Hale, and Berliner Cohen. The firm emphasizes tailored solutions, avoiding litigation through proactive legal strategies while maintaining a reputation for excellence and ethical standards.
Services
Business Entity Formation
Buy-Sell Agreements
Selling a Business
Outside General Counsel
Mergers & Acquisitions
Non-Profit Governance
Legal Consultation
Contract Negotiation
Business Transactions
Real Estate Transactions
Details
- Year established: 1984
Highlights and features
- We offer 40+ years of experience in business law and real estate transactions.
- Our attorney helped shape California business law as a committee member.
- We provide big-firm expertise with personalized, small-firm attention.
- Our practice includes drafting complex buy-sell agreements and M&A counsel.
- We maintain an AV Preeminent peer review rating for legal excellence.
Associations and certifications
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent
What people say
Pleasant and reassuring experience
Informative and responsive
Saved thousands of dollars
Generous with information
Expert in California LLC law
Services
Business Entity Formation
We help clients establish corporations, partnerships, and limited liability companies (LLCs) with custom-drafted agreements. Our services include preparing articles of incorporation, bylaws, and operating agreements tailored to each client's needs. With expertise in California business law, we guide entrepreneurs through entity selection considering liability protection, tax implications, and operational flexibility.
Buy-Sell Agreements
We draft comprehensive buy-sell agreements to govern business ownership transitions during disputes, retirements, or deaths. Our agreements address valuation methods, payment terms, and dispute resolution mechanisms. We help clients avoid costly litigation by creating enforceable frameworks for share redemptions and co-owner buyouts.
Mergers & Acquisitions
We represent buyers and sellers in business purchase transactions, including asset acquisitions and stock sales. Our services cover due diligence, contract negotiation, and tax-efficient structuring. We advise on S-corporation elections and other strategies to minimize double taxation during business exits.
Non-Profit Governance
We assist with forming and maintaining public benefit, mutual benefit, and religious corporations. Our services include drafting governance documents, advising on tax-exempt status, and ensuring compliance with California's nonprofit regulations. We help organizations establish proper structures for asset distribution and member benefits.
Outside General Counsel
We provide ongoing legal counsel to businesses needing strategic guidance on contracts, compliance, and risk management. Our services include reviewing standard agreements, negotiating complex deals, and connecting clients with specialists in other legal areas. We focus on long-term partnerships to understand each client's unique operational needs.
People
Richard G. Burt
Attorney
Richard Burt is a San Jose business attorney with 40+ years of experience in corporate law, LLC formation, and business transactions. A former SEC attorney and Wilmer Hale associate, he holds an AV Preeminent Martindale-Hubbell rating. He has authored business law publications and served on California Bar committees shaping state business law.
Questions
What business law services do you specialize in?
We specialize in business entity formation, buy-sell agreements, mergers and acquisitions, non-profit governance, and outside general counsel services for Silicon Valley businesses.
Do you handle business litigation cases?
No, we focus exclusively on transactional business law matters and do not represent clients in litigation or court proceedings.
How can I schedule a consultation?
Call (408) 286-7333 to speak with Janet or use our website contact form to schedule a fixed-fee consultation with attorney Richard Burt.
What areas do you serve?
We primarily serve San Jose, Santa Clara County, and the San Francisco Bay Area, with clients throughout California and select out-of-state matters.
How do you handle business formation?
We guide clients through entity selection, prepare custom legal documents, and provide ongoing counsel to ensure proper corporate governance and compliance.
