Real Estate Law

Business Organizations & Transactions

Franchise & Distribution

Trademark & Copyright

The Brettin Law Office has a diversified real estate, business and franchise law practice. We help clients protect their interests; understand risk, liability and exposure; and identify opportunities to expand their businesses. Lee has represented individuals, families, small businesses and large corporations in transactions and litigation involving –

Representation of buyers and sellers of residential and multi-family properties.

• Real estate purchase and sale agreements (“REPSA” or “Earnest Money Agreement”) for commercial properties and single-family, condominium and townhome residences, For Sale By Owner (FSBO), inclusive of NWMLS form document review, revisions and preparation of offer/counteroffer, negotiations, title matters and client assistance through closing;

• Commercial and residential purchase and lease options, liens, loan modifications and short sales;

• Receiverships & foreclosures, and foreclosure workouts and rescue scams;

• Commercial real estate ground leases, build-to-suit, office and store-front leases, commercial and residential property due diligence and real estate financing; and,

• CC&Rs, easements, joint-use agreements and quiet title actions.

Brettin Law Office business clients have included property management companies, startup & growth-oriented businesses, restaurants, real estate brokers, entrepreneurs, franchisors and franchisees who have come to him with legal matters involving –

• Entity formation, such as limited liability companies (LLC), closely held corporations, and general & limited partnerships;

• Business branding, development, operations and governance; and,

• Purchase & sale of closely held businesses;

• Franchise agreement negotiation, documentation, litigation & dispute resolution, and franchise relations; and,

• Evaluation of Franchise Disclosure Documents (formally the Uniform Franchise Offering Circular, or “UFOC”) under the Amended FTC Franchise Rule and Washington State law.

Representative Legal Matters

• Representation of buyers in a multi-state acquisition of nine build-to-suit first class office buildings, including formation of single entity holding company, all due diligence on each property conveyance, review and clearance of all title matters, and review of all financing, closing and management documents.

• Representation of individuals purchasing a California franchise operating in Washington State, including, review and negotiation of Franchise Disclosure Documents and Franchise Agreement, preparation of limited liability company agreement for partners, and lease negotiations for retail location.

• Representation of real estate developer in assemblages and lot-line eliminations for development of neighborhood shopping centers, including preparing all purchase and/or option agreements, review of title matters, clearance of title, closings, lease and sale back transactions, ground lease, build-to-suit and shop leases, review and drafting of CC&Rs and other real property operating agreements.

• Representation of buyers and sellers of residential, commercial and multi-family properties, including one-time, flat fee document review of NWMLS form offers, and preparation of FSBO offers, counteroffers, and representation through closings.

• Residential and commercial and residential unlawful detainer actions.

• Aggressive representation of individuals and businesses in contract, real estate and franchise litigation.

• Successful dispute resolution in mediations.

• Formation of corporations and limited liability companies for business owners and real estate investors.

• Evaluation and registration of trademarks and negotiation of license agreements.

• Evaluation of Franchise Disclosure Documents and Franchise Agreements for individuals looking to purchase single-unit and territorial franchise opportunities.

• Franchise termination agreements and buy-outs.

• Purchase and sale of small businesses.

• Commercial lease negotiations.

Many transactional document review assignments, in particular, NWMLS purchase and sale agreements are undertaken on a reasonable flat fee basis.

Real Estate Law

Lee Brettin represents individuals, families, and business owners with diverse real estate matters including listing agreements, real estate purchase and sale agreements, FSBO sales, due diligence, title problems, real estate closings, boundary line adjustments, lot line elimination and lot consolidations, easements, covenants, conditions and restrictions, feasibility studies, commercial and investment property acquisitions and sales, purchase of private and institutional grade tenant-in-common and limited liability company interests, ground lease and build-to-suit transactions, commercial leases and lease assignments, option agreements, lease-to-own agreements, lease termination agreements, commercial lease defaults, commercial unlawful detainer actions, financing, subordination and non-disturbance agreements, foreclosures, foreclosure workouts, foreclosure rescue scams, joint use agreements, property management, and real estate broker and agent based claims and defenses.

Business Organizations and Transactions

Lee works with individuals and businesses in the formation of new entities including corporations, general and limited partnerships, limited liability companies with single or multiple classes of ownership and family limited liability companies.   Lee believes that your particular, unique goals and objectives must be understood, tax ramifications analyzed and security issues understood prior to making any recommendation to you as to form of entity, financing alternatives or the consideration of documents necessary to formalize your business relationships. Lee is also available to counsel your existing business in a wide range of matters.

Franchise and Distribution

Lee consults with individuals and businesses needing review of franchise offering circulars and state registrations. He will work with you on the negotiation and documentation of franchise and territorial development agreements, product licensing, product placement, non-competition, joint-use and related transactions. Lee also represents franchisees with franchise buy-back agreements and third-party re-sale transactions. In addition to working with franchisors and franchisees, Lee has successfully represented clients negotiate manufacturing, distribution and licensing agreements in the food service and consumer products industries and is available for related consultation for your existing or planned business or venture

Trademarks and Copyrights

Lee consults with business owners in determining if and when they can apply for intellectual property registrations and statutory protections. Although he generally limits his intellectual property practice to trademark, copyright, trade dress and trade secret, registration, consultation and protection, Lee can assist you in understanding the rules of use and help establish best-practice, risk mitigation and litigation avoidance procedures for the protection of your valuable IP assets.  Lee can assist you in your licensing efforts by reviewing and drafting license agreements for your art, literary, advertising, architectural work or website designs and text.  He is also available for consultation on drafting, reviewing or preparing confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements, non-competition agreements, trade secret agreements and establishing and enforcing related company policies and procedures.

You're welcome to read a few client testimonials...

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