- DivorceFamily – We provide compassionate and practical advice and effective representation in California divorce and related matters, including child custody and support, spousal support, the division of community property, post-divorce modifications and move-aways, domestic violence restraining orders, paternity actions and more.
- Child SupportChapter 7 does not discharge all types of debt, such as student loans, child support obligations, certain tax debts, and loans which are secured by collateral, such as car loans and home mortgages. Also, in order to be eligible for Chapter 7, you have to pass a means test, and many people have too much disposable income to qualify for Chapter 7. It is generally much easier to qualify for a bankruptcy under Chapter 13.
- Child Custody and VisitationFamily Law – Are you attempting to make decisions about shared parenting or seeking child support? Are you and your partner not working out? We have help our clients with child custody, visitation, child support, spousal support, restraining orders, paternity, move-away cases.
- AdoptionImmigration – Through family-based immigration, we can help bring families together and create new families through fiancé(e) visas, international adoptions, and parent, spousal, child and sibling-based petitions. Employment-based immigration helps everyone from skilled and unskilled workers to professors, professionals and workers of extraordinary ability obtain immigrant visas to live and work in the U.S. We can help you get your green card, work toward citizenship and naturalization, or defend against deportation and removal proceedings.
- Paternity
- Spousal SupportWhen a relationship is not working and there is at least one child involved, it could create a stressful situation. With the purpose of avoiding any type of confusion and misunderstandings that could turn into unneeded struggle, it is in everyone’s best interests to establish an uncomplicated visitation schedule through an order from the court. Our attorneys at Rounds and Sutter are ready to help guide and protect your legal rights. We have helped our clients with legal matters of child support issues, spousal support, restraining orders, move-away cases, paternity case and domestic partnership.
- Criminal DefenseThe law office of Rounds & Sutter, provides sound legal advice and effective representation in the legal areas of business, real estate, employment, bankruptcy and debt relief immigration, family, personal injury and criminal defense. Whatever your needs, we provide you with the information you need to make the best decision in your given circumstances.
- DUI/DWICriminal Defense – If you have been charged with a crime, from misdemeanor DUI to felony murder, you need strong, effective representation from the moment of arrest and at every stage of the proceeding. Talk to an attorney before you talk to the police to maximize your chances for success. We provide skilled and knowledgeable representation to get you the best outcome possible in your criminal matter, whether it is a dismissal or reduction of charges, an acquittal or not guilty verdict, or probation or other alternative sentencing that minimizes the impact a criminal conviction can have on your life.
- FraudConsumer Advocacy – We stand squarely in the consumer’s corner and fight unlawful trade practices and all types of consumer fraud, as well as unfair debt collection the harassment of bill collectors. We help homeowners who are upside-down on their mortgage payments strip away second mortgages, and we negotiate debt settlements with creditors to keep your personal finances afloat.
- Theft
- Misdemeanors
- Embezzlement
- Murder
- Restraining Order
- Corporate LawAn ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. We help individual shareholders and businesses investigate allegations and resolve shareholder disputes as they arise, but the best defense against shareholder disputes is effective preparation. A comprehensive and legally sound shareholder agreement can significantly reduce the cost and hassle of a shareholder dispute, either by resolving the issue entirely or providing for a streamlined and effective manner for handling the dispute. Our shareholder agreement lawyers will help you draft an agreement that anticipates and corrects for potential issues, helps stakeholders plan for and understand the business’s future, and provides for a clear resolution of any issues that do arise.
- Mergers and AcquisitionsBusiness Law: John’s years as a transactional attorney and personal history in buying and selling businesses, results in a prospective tailored to individual owners. From company formation and structure, to start-up capital and private placements, to mergers and acquisitions; John will help you achieve your desired goals.
- Business FormationAt Rounds & Sutter, we offer personal, tailored service to California entrepreneurs looking to establish their businesses. We’ll help you review your options and take the steps necessary to get your new business up and running. Whether you are an established investor in need of efficient and detail-oriented business formation services or a first-time entrepreneur who would benefit from the advice and representation from experienced business lawyers, Rounds & Sutter is ready to help. Contact Southern California entity formation legal offices in Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Clemente or Westlake Village for a free consultation.
- Business DisputesThe business law attorneys at Rounds & Sutter have years of experience providing trusted advice and effective legal representation to California business owners, shareholders, and corporate entities fielding shareholder disputes. We help businesses large and small resolve disputes through informal negotiation, internal investigations, mediation, or litigation, depending upon the nature of the dispute and the extent of the disagreement. Our goal is to resolve the dispute as quickly, quietly, and effectively as possible. We represent individual stakeholders with legitimate concerns as well as corporations protecting their interests against overzealous allegations.
- Business TransactionsOur business lawyers work to make sure our clients’ interests are promoted and protected across the spectrum of business transactions, including real property matters, sales & purchase agreements, leases, buy-sell agreements, insurance issues, employment agreements, and transportation and shipping matters.
- Limited Liability CompaniesLimited Liability Companies (LLCs). LLCs are a hybrid between a corporation and a partnership or sole-proprietorship entity. Income is taxed to the individual owners like a partnership or sole proprietor, but owners are protected by limited liability, like a corporate shareholder. LLCs carry additional filing requirements and other formalities for transferring ownership and other operations, but they are among the most flexible types of entities.
- Trade SecretsCommon trade secrets include market projections and strategies, customer lists, computer source code, product information, or technical formulas. If you have data that you consider valuable to your enterprise, and its value comes from keeping the data secret, speak with a seasoned trade secrets attorney to ensure you take the appropriate steps to obtain trade secret protection.
- Intellectual PropertyTrade secrets are a lesser-known and unique form of intellectual property protection. Unlike copyrights or trademarks, trade secrets are not registered with the government. Instead, trade secret protection applies when a business takes steps to ensure that the information remains confidential. Trade secrets can take a variety of forms, but the key feature of a trade secret is that it is valuable information the owner intended to keep secret.
- Wrongful TerminationThe employment law attorneys at Rounds & Sutter represent workers throughout Southern California who have lost their job due to discrimination, retaliation, or some other type of wrongful discharge. We help employees recover their lost jobs, lost wages and other compensation necessary to restore them to their previous position.
- Employment DiscriminationAnother exception to the “good, bad or no reason” rule of at-will employment is that an employee may not be fired for an illegal reason. For instance, an employee may not be fired because of his or her race, religion, gender, age or other characteristic which makes the employee protected by law from unlawful employment discrimination.
- Employment ContractDrafting appropriate foundational documents including articles of incorporation, bylaws, operating agreements, shareholder or partnership agreements, and employment contracts
- Employment Litigation"John and Randy have supported our business and real property interests for years. We have relied on them for help with leases, services contracts, employment issues, regulatory matters and other pressing concerns."
- Sexual HarassmentIf you have been a victim of workplace misconducts such as work discrimination, sexual harassment, wrongful terminated, or told that you are exempt from overtime but you are not sure, or other disputes, we are here to help. There is no place for unlawful discriminatory treatment in the workplace and we are here to help you through this serious time.
- Real Estate LitigationReal Estate Law: Mr. Rounds assists Clients with property purchase transactions, title issues, investment, development and nearly every aspect of real estate. John received his CA real estate Broker’s license in 1998.
- Real Estate TransactionsAt Rounds & Sutter, our real estate attorneys have years of experience assisting property owners, developers, and investors with all manner of real estate issues, including real estate purchases, sales, leases, and disputes. When co-owners of a property cannot resolve their differences, or when one party refuses to agree to a sale, a partition action may become necessary. Our real estate legal team will help you protect your rights in the event of a dispute, including forced sale in a partition action. with offices in Ventura and Westlake Village, our real estate lawyers assist buyers, sellers, co-owners, landlords and tenants in real estate transactions and litigation throughout Southern California.
- Easement
- Land Use and Zoning
- Landlord-Tenant DisputesWe assist buyers and sellers of real estate in the full range of real property transactions and every aspect of real estate law, from purchase and sale agreements to contract negotiation and lease renegotiation, as well as litigation and other forms of dispute resolution to resolve broker disputes and landlord-tenant matters.
- Citizenship and Naturalization
- Family Immigration
- Employment ImmigrationEmployment-based immigration – helping employers fill their needs for exceptional employees, and helping foreign workers get their green cards
- Green Cards
- Family Visas
- Personal InjuryPersonal Injury – If you have been injured in a car accident, truck accident, slip and fall or suffered other personal injury due to another’s negligence or wrongful conduct, we can help you recover compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering and more.
- Medical MalpracticePersonal Injury – We help victims of car, truck and motorcycle accidents, slip and fall, defective products, medical malpractice and other forms of negligence get the compensation they need to deal with their injuries, pain and the disruption in their lives another’s negligent or wrongful misconduct has caused.
- Auto Accidents
- Estate PlanningMr. Rounds also regularly represents clients with criminal charges, civil matters (contracts to family law), and estate planning.
- WillsPowers of Attorney – Living wills, advance healthcare directives and other documents are critical to ensuring that decisions regarding your finances, health care and end of life are made according to your wishes by people you trust.
- TrustsTrusts – Revocable living trusts and other trusts allow you to manage and control your property during your lifetime and generate income for you and your beneficiaries, while also minimizing probate and providing valuable tax benefits.
- Power of AttorneyIt is never too early to start thinking about an estate plan, and it is (almost) never too late. Rounds & Sutter helps people at every stage of life to draw up wills, trusts and powers of attorney to make sure their financial and healthcare needs are met during their lifetime while making the most of the legacy they leave to future generations.
- Probate
- BankruptcyThe bankruptcy lawyers at Rounds & Sutter have years of experience helping California individuals and families struggling with debt. We are ready and able to advise and represent individual debtors on their options to reduce or eliminate their debt, and if bankruptcy is the best option, help clients successfully navigate the California bankruptcy procedures. If you are facing mountains of credit card debt, medical bills, or other consumer debt, a Chapter 7 bankruptcy might be the best option to eliminate your debt. Reach out to the compassionate and dedicated Southern California bankruptcy attorneys at Rounds & Sutter for advice, representation, and assistance with your individual debt.
- ForeclosureIf you are struggling with debt and behind on your mortgage, your home is at risk. For many borrowers, keeping their house is paramount. You do have options available to you, even if your creditors are knocking down your door for payments. The California debt relief and foreclosure defense attorneys at Rounds & Sutter will review your financial situation and help you explore your best options to prevent foreclosure during this difficult time. We are here to help you protect your house and put you back on the road to financial recovery and freedom.
- Tax LawThe residential real estate attorneys at Rounds & Sutter are ready to help you with your Southern California residential real estate transaction or dispute. We help with purchase and sale transactions, landlord-tenant disputes, zoning and tax issues, and all other matters of residential real estate law. With offices in Santa Barbara, San Clemente & Westlake Village, our real estate lawyers assist buyers, sellers, landlords, and tenants in real estate transactions and litigation throughout Southern California.
- Debt CollectionWage garnishment is a tool that creditors can use to take money from debtors before the money even reaches the debtor’s hands. If you are struggling with debt and are facing the prospect of a wage garnishment, the debt relief attorneys at Rounds & Sutter may be able to help. We can negotiate with your creditors on your behalf, stop wage garnishment before it starts, or advise you of your other options for relieving yourself of crippling debt. Call a Southern California wage garnishment attorney at Rounds & Sutter for advice and representation if you are facing wage garnishment or other aggressive forms of debt collection.