• Welcome to the Law Offices of Steven A. Fink

    Legal services are too expensive and too impersonal. My mission is to change that. I offer big firm quality at small firm prices and service. California licensed attorney with 29 years experience representing all size businesses in contracts, litigation, construction and real estate. Emphasis is on helping businesses grow and become even more successful.



    Lawyers for the Slidebar Rock-n-Roll Kitchen, Eric Dubin, left, and Steven A. Fink, hold a news conference Thursday to refute, with surveillance video evidence, the allegations made by former bouncer Michael Reeves. Click Here Orange County Register Article


    Steven Alan Fink
    Steven Alan Fink
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    Steven Fink's Areas of Expertise

    • Business formation
    • Construction
    • Real Estate
    • Business Litigation
    • Employment issues
    • Franchise


    Steven A. Fink's Reviews

    “Steven Fink was retained to clean up a big mess left by previous counsel. The case involved dealing with individuals who did not operate inside any ethical boundaries. He handled our case professionally and did not allow the pathetic nature of the plaintiff to intimidate him or engage him in any type of behavior that wasn't completely professional. We worked well with him when collaborative efforts were needed. He was flexible and available to talk off line. Steve was very accomodating when it came to coordinating schedules for emergency meetings. He helped eliminate much of the anxiety associated with the type of case we were involved with and we are grateful that we chose to work with him. Mr. Fink looks like a mild mannered attorney, which he is, but he will stand up for you when the time comes. We are so relieved to know that we have an attorney that will fight our battles for us so we don't have to end up in the courtroom! Thank You, Steve”


    “I endorse this lawyer's work. Steve is an excellent lawyer who has the experience necessary to solve complex legal problems in a successful, yet cost-effective manner. His depth of experience and accessibility make him not only a terrific lawyer for any client to have, but also a lawyer's lawyer. Steve is the attorney who other attorneys go to when they have hit a stumbling block. I have high respect for Steve, and I strongly endorse him.”

    Patrick Tira , La Jolla (CA)

  • About Steven A. Fink

    Steven A. Fink has 30 years' experience in the real estate and construction industry, specializing in construction contracts, claims and defect disputes, public contracts and bid disputes, employment law issues, real estate development, and related environment concerns. He has represented clients in arbitrations, trials and mediations. In addition to his extensive experience as an advocate, Mr. Fink has served as an expert witness. He also represents start-up businesses in forming corporations and LLC's, drafting contracts, buy-sell and partnership agreements, franchises and employment issues.

    Mr. Fink is a member of the William P. Gray Legion Lex Inn of Court where he serves on the Executive Board and is the Program Director.

    Mr. Fink is an expert in the unique legal issues contractors, owners and design professionals face in construction projects.



    Representative Engagements as an Advocate

    • Negotiated and litigated Tenant Improvement Contracts.
    • Handled both judicial and non-judicial real estate foreclosures.
    • Handled both residential and commercial eviction matters.
    • Negotiated office leases.
    • Arbitration between a construction company and a law firm concerning the opulent tenant improvements in the firm's Los Angeles office. After a hearing, the award to our client included $1 million in attorney's fees.
    • Negotiated construction control for Staples Center
    • Representation of motel owner in usury dispute. After jury and bench trial obtained a determination that note his client signed was usurious, saving several hundred thousand dollars in interest.
    • Representation of major contractor in dispute with public entity.
    • Representation of major credit reporting agency in multiple disputes with consumers.
    • Representation of franchisor in dispute with franchisee of major frozen yogurt franchise.
    • Negotiated purchase and sale of telephone call box contractor.


    Public Presentations

    • “Navigating Success Through ADR,” 2007 Construction Superconference and 2008 CalTrans Contract Law Workshop
    • Real Estate Issues in Current Law 2007
    • Construction Law American Arbitration 1996
    • California Construction Law Crowell & Moring LLP Annual Conference 1995
    • California Labor Law Crowell & Moring LLP Annual Conference 1994
    • Expert Witnesses CEB Expert Witness in California 1992


    Education

    • Tulane University, B.A., 1976
    • Tulane University School of Law, J.D., 1980


    Affiliations

    • Admitted to practice: California


    Publications

    • Zero Tolerance California Law 1998

  • Top 5 Reasons to Incorporate or Form an LLC

    If you want to protect personal assets, reduce personal liability, increase your retirement savings, increase your credit and make your business seem larger than it is, you should form an LLC or corporation.

    1. ASSET-PROTECTION

      No matter what type of business you are in there exists the potential for a lawsuit. The most common sources of lawsuits for small business owners are employees, customers and vendors. If you don't deal with any of these categories you don't need to incorporate. However, if you are a typical business you deal with some or all of these. As a sole proprietorship or a partnership your personal assets are at risk in a lawsuit. If you incorporate or form an LLC your personal assets are generally protected.

    2. RETIREMENT SAVINGS

      In 2010 IRA has limit of $5,000 for individuals age 49 and under, and $6,000 for 50 and above. 401k has limit of $16,500. In addition, you are entitled to "catch-up" an additional $5,500 if you did not contribute in 2009. There are other benefits that your CPA or financial advisor can explain that enable even larger contributions.

    3. CREDIBILITY

      If you add INC. or LLC to your name it makes your business seem more substantial.

    4. CREDIT

      Many credit card companies check the Secretary of State's office for new filings. They send invitations to most new companies to apply for corporate credit.

    5. TAX BENEFITS

      Your CPA can advice you of certain automobile, home office, and equipment write-offs that are not available to individuals.



    Key Questions to Answer in Writing BEFORE Two Unmarried People Purchase Real Estate

    Before buying real estate, two unmarried people should have a written agreement dealing with all of the issues listed in this guide.

    • How should title be held?

      Joint tenancy, tenancy in common, LLC, Trust.

    • Down Payment

      Equal. What if one pays more than the other?

    • Upkeep

      Are taxes, insurance, maintenance paid equally?

    • Failure to Pay

      What if one of owners cannot pay their share of upkeep?

    • Occupancy

      Who can live in the property? What if one of occupants wants to move?

    • Equity

      What if one of owners wants to borrow and other one does not?

    • Sale

      What if one owner wants to sell and other one does not?

    • Financing and Refinancing

      What if one owner has good credit and other one has bad credit? How is refinancing handled?



    What to Do if Contractor Does a Bad Job

    Protect yourself from a bad contractor. Four steps you can take to protect yourself.

    1. Document the Problems

      Take pictures and videos of everything to show the problem areas. Make copies of your contract and communications with the contractor regarding the problem.

    2. Complain to the Contractor's State License Board

      File a complaint with the Contractor's State License Board. Click here

    3. Complain to the Bonding Company

      Every licensed contractor in California must have a surety bond. Send a demand letter to the bonding company with items from Step 1. The bonding company is listed on the CSLB website.

    4. Hire a Licensed Contractor to Repair the Work

      If the CSLB and bond company letters do not resolve the issue, hire a new contractor, have them take careful notes of the problem areas, keep records, and be prepared to testify in court.



    How to Respond to a Mechanic's Lien if You Are the Homeowner

    Mechanics' Liens require precise handling in order to be valid. An experienced construction attorney can easily determine how to remove a lien that was not properly recorded against your property. If you do it yourself, the below steps will be helpful.

    1. License Information

      Check to see if the contractor is licensed by the California Contractor's State License Board (https://www.cslb.ca.gov).

    2. Unlicensed Contractors Cannot Recover Money

      If unlicensed they are not allowed to collect any money due, nor can they legally keep any money you paid them.

    3. Check License for Workers Compensation Insurance

      A licensed contractor who claims to be exempt from having workers compensation insurance because they have no employees can only do the work personally or through other licensed subcontractors.

    4. Check status of individuals who worked on your property

      If workers on your property were employees of licensed contractor who claimed to be exempt from Workers Compensation, then contractor is treated as though unlicensed and cannot recover.

    5. CSLB complaints

      Report unlicensed contractor to CSLB by filing a complaint here.

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