If you have been thinking about buying a business, or preparing to sell one, there is an important SBA development worth watching closely. Effective July 4, 2026, eligible borrowers will be able to combine an SBA 7(a) loan and an SBA 504 loan for up to $10 million in total SBA-backed financing. That is double…

Purchasing commercial real estate in California is one of the largest financial commitments a business owner or investor can make. Whether you are acquiring a retail center in San Diego, repositioning an office building for conversion, or purchasing a hospitality asset along the coast, the due diligence period is your best opportunity to uncover risks,…

On April 1, 2026, the Ninth Circuit issued an important decision for California employers in O’Dell v. Aya Healthcare Services, Inc. The court ruled that plaintiffs cannot use a few mixed decisions about arbitration agreements to knock out arbitration for an entire class of employees. In other words, just because an employer loses on arbitration with some…

Operating a hotel in California means managing risk in one of the most plaintiff-friendly legal environments in the country. From slip-and-fall accidents near pools to assaults in dimly lit parking structures, hotel owners and managers face a higher duty of care than many other businesses. For California hotel operators, understanding where liability exposure exists and…

Protecting Your Investment Before You Sign Entering into a franchise agreement is one of the most significant business decisions you will ever make. It’s not just a contract—it’s a long-term relationship, often lasting 15 to 20 years, that will shape your financial future and operational freedom. At DPA Attorneys at Law, we represent franchisees with one…