March 31st 2021 is the last day to apply for a first or second-round PPP loan. While the rules are a bit unclear as to whether a business seeing declines in one quarter but positive in subsequent quarters still qualifies for loan forgiveness eligibility, there are a number of areas to consider as to whether your business should apply for the second-round of PPP. (Related: Financial Assistance To Small Businesses In Response To COVID-19) Applying for a first-time PPP loan? If you didn’t get funds for the first PPP round you can apply for a first-time loan. Loans are capped... READ MORE

Article written by Brian H. Cole, Associate Attorney, Chase Law Group, P.C. Have you ever considered looking into buying a franchise? There are many attractive aspects of this particular business model. Generally speaking, a franchise has an infrastructure already established to help owners and managers run the day-to-day operations, plus a known franchise has built-in brand equity. These are huge benefits for a business owner. On the other hand, like any business, there is a considerable amount of work, employee management, customer service and marketing efforts that the owner or manager will still need to take on and often follow... READ MORE

Article written by Gabriela Lamond, Associate Attorney, Chase Law Group, P.C. SB 1159 became effective on September 17, 2020 and created three (3) different rebuttable presumptions with respect to an employee’s claim that he/she contracted COVID-19 at the workplace.  The third presumption, which only applies to employers with five (5) or more employees, also imposes additional employee tracking and reporting requirements. Additionally, SB 1159 requires that employees must exhaust any special COVID-19 related sick leave benefits before receiving any temporary disability benefits, however, employees are not required to exhaust any regular sick leave benefits. 1. March 19 – July 5, 2020... READ MORE

The coronavirus pandemic is forcing employers to make tough decisions that could lead to legal consequences, including a rise in discrimination claims. As in all employment-related decisions, it is important to tread cautiously when considering how your business will respond to COVID-19. Crucially, it is important to follow CDC guidance, and avoid "mak[ing] determinations of risk based on race or country of origin," in order to avoid "stigma and discrimination in the workplace." Instead, when deciding whether to send someone home from work, make sure that your focus is on individuals who demonstrate symptoms of potential COVID-19 infection (fever, cough,... READ MORE

The COVID-19 outbreak has prompted unprecedented social distancing recommendations and mandated shutdowns. These steps are in place to reduce the spread of the virus, but pose a serious threat to small businesses who rely on customers visiting their restaurants and brick-and-mortar locations to stay afloat. In an effort to reduce the negative impact of coronavirus, the U.S. Small Business Administration is offering (in designated states and territories) low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses and private, non-profit organizations suffering substantial economic injury as a result of COVID-19. SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans, issued as provided by the... READ MORE

Chase Law Group is a business and real estate law firm working with business and professional practice owners to develop comprehensive legal structures that provide personal liability protection and manageable day-to-day operations. Owner DeAnn Flores Chase has worked in the legal industry for 22 years and started her own firm in 2007. She earned her law degree from Southwestern University School of Law. Read The Full Article Here READ MORE

Licensing is one way people with ideas and businesses can scale their brands quickly. Licensing agreements are used by businesses for things like putting sports team logos on keychains, selling a certain line of dresses in a retail store, or operating a business under a certain brand name. In cases like this last example, however, it is important for licensees to be careful not to inadvertently create a franchise, as those are subject to very different laws and regulations. In short, a license agreement grants rights to use a brand and associated intellectual property, while in a franchise, the franchisor... READ MORE

Chase Law Group is a business and real estate law firm working with business and practice owners to develop comprehensive legal structures. Founder DeAnn Flores Chase earned her law degree from Southwestern University School of Law. She worked for 10 years litigating complex business matters in many Southern California courthouses before starting her own firm, South Bay Business Lawyers, in 2007 (changing the name to Chase Law Group in 2015). DeAnn and her husband, Bruce, have lived in the South Bay since 1996, and their two children attend local schools. Read The Full Article Here READ MORE

Chase Law Group provides legal services to entrepreneurs, business owners and professionals across Southern California, tailoring legal counsel to protect personal and proprietary assets through all stages of business ownership. DeAnn Flores Chase started Chase Law Group in 2007 and has practiced law for two decades. Read the full article here READ MORE

Chase Law Group works with entrepreneurs, business owners and professionals to navigate their business and real estate matters. DeAnn Flores Chase founded the firm in 2007 and has practiced law for nearly 20 years. What are the most common problems that you run across when working with clients? “Business owners are often so focused on the day-to-day operations of their business that putting proper legal structures in place can get set aside..." Read the full article here! READ MORE