We assist our clients in converting nebulous "Blue Sky" into values that are legally protected and that have recognized value in the market place. We do this through a value creation program using trademarks, copyrights, patents, and programs that identify and quantify trade secrets and proprietary information. We believe this type of program is essential to new and emerging businesses and in the development and implementation of an exit strategy. It is also an important part of succession planning.
Taxes directly affect the bottom line of every business. Each member of the business team is sensitive to the practical business implications of tax issues. We understand our client's situation and objectives and apply our expertise, experience, and creativity to meeting our client's objectives. We also have a great deal of experience in representing clients before the federal and state taxing authorities.
Our goal in estate planning is to help people set up the structure to "care for myself and my loved ones during my lifetime and upon disability and to transfer my property to whom I want, when I want and in the way I want at all costs that are clearly communicated and understood." Our estate planning attorneys have over 65 years combined experience in planning estates for those that have limited assets to those who have multi-million dollar estates. We have done both will and trust based plans and handled all aspects of the process from creation through administration and after death succession. We have expertise in the preparation and filing of estate and gift tax returns, fiduciary income tax returns and have represented clients in reviews and audits conducted by the tax authorities. Each of our Estate Planning attorneys is active in the local estate planning council and are members of the National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys.
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Several of our attorneys have been trained and have acted as a "private judge" either as the sole determining party or as part of a panel. Our attorneys have been arbitrators and mediators in personal injury, property damage, real estate, employment contracts, real estate boundary disputes, construction claims, and divorce matters. We have also been appointed to act as special master for the court in real estate, probate, and domestic relations matters. We also represent parties in such proceedings.
We represent a broad spectrum of clients in the health care industry: hospitals, medical groups, surgical centers, professional organizations, medical buying groups, pharmacies, imaging centers, catheterization labs, medical laboratories, durable medical equipment, and long-term care facilities. We helped structure and organize the
In addition to other types of litigation, the attorneys at Beard St. Clair are experienced in all aspects of family law litigation. Divorces, custody disputes, paternity issues, child support collection are all handled by the four attorneys in the litigation section. Beard St. Clair routinely handles high conflict custody and divorce cases that involve complex issues requiring expert testimony at trial. We can also assist our clients in developing effective pre-nuptual agreements (also referred to as community property agreements) and enforcing those agreements in court.
Our litigation practice encompasses several areas including commercial litigation, employment law, agribusiness, intellectual property, construction law, professional malpractice, and personal injury. Our litigation attorneys are actively and regularly engaged in all aspects of the civil litigation process including regular court appearances and frequent depositions. We have extensive experience in representing individuals as well as small and large businesses. We have successfully tried cases in state and federal courts with an average of three to five jury trials annually.
Our firm's strength in business law rests in the attorney's practical experience in the business world. We counsel business owners on a variety of issues including employee benefits, anti-trust, franchising, agribusiness, buy/sell agreements, multilevel distribution, contracts, securities, mergers and acquisitions, business succession planning, and e-business. We successfully defend business clients in major litigation, handle the break-up of business relationships, represent health care providers, pursue and defend employment issues, provide financing opinions to major lenders, and handle million dollar acquisitions.
