Jonathan C Watts

Biographical Information

Jonathan C. Watts, Attorney at Law, San Ramon, CA.

—Transactional Attorney, January 2011-Present

Practice corporate law, general business transactions, estate planning, and tax law:

• Business Transactions: Draft, review, and negotiate a variety of contracts, including the following: transactions involving UCC Articles 2, 9, and 10; secure transactions; licensing and transfer of intellectual property; website terms of use, privacy policies, and click-wrap agreements (with analysis of relevant Digital Millennium Copyright Act issues); vendor agreements; equipment purchase and lease agreements; commercial real estate acquisition; commercial construction; settlement, indemnity, and hold-harmless agreements; and contract templates.
• Corporate Governance: Represented corporations, nonprofit organizations, limited liability companies, professional entities, and partnerships in formation, corporate governance, ownership transition, and dissolution
• Mergers and Acquisitions: Drafted, reviewed, and negotiated letters of intent, acquisition agreements, and ancillary agreements; performing due diligence; and overseeing close of transaction.
• Estate Planning and Trust Administration: Draft Wills and Trusts, assist clients with Probate and Trust Administration issues.
• Tax Law: Draft, review and negotiate a variety of contracts with attention to tax implications and advantages. Counsel and represent clients on state and federal tax issues.

Frankel & Goldware, LLP, San Ramon, CA Transactional Attorney, June 2004 – Dec. 2010

Practiced corporate law and general business transactions:

• Business Transactions: Drafted, reviewed, and negotiated a variety of contracts, including the following: transactions involving UCC Articles 2, 9, and 10; secured transactions; licensing and transfer of intellectual property; website terms of use, privacy policies, and click-wrap agreements (with analysis of relevant Digital Millennium Copyright Act issues); vendor agreements; equipment purchase and lease agreements; commercial real estate acquisition; commercial construction; settlement, indemnity, and hold-harmless agreements; and contract templates.
• Corporate Governance: Represented corporations, nonprofit organizations, limited liability companies, professional entities, and partnerships in formation, corporate governance, ownership transition, and dissolution.
• Mergers and Acquisitions: Drafted, reviewed, and negotiated letters of intent, acquisition agreements, and ancillary agreements; performing due diligence; and overseeing close of transaction.
• Also managed estate planning and trust administration practice.
• Promoted to non-equity partner March 2010.

The Partners, Riverside, CA. Transactional Associate, Nov. 2002 – May 2004

Practice emphasis in entity formation, estate planning, probate, and trust administration.

Downey Brand, Sacramento, CA. Litigation Associate, Sep. 2000 – Nov. 2002

Practice emphasis in commercial lease enforcement, debt collection, and general business litigation.

Education

University of Alabama School of Law, Tuscaloosa, AL. LL.M. in Taxation, Expected Aug. 2011

Focus on interplay between tax, corporate and partnership law, and business transactions.

U.C. Davis School of Law, Davis, CA. J.D., Order of the Coif, Jun. 2000

Pacific Union College, Angwin, CA. B.A.in History, Summa Cum Laude, Jun. 1996

Additional Information

• Danville Area Chamber of Commerce:

Chair Elect, 2011; Member of the Board of Directors, 2007 – Present
Vice Chair of Membership, 2009 – 2010; Vice Chair of Economic Development, 2008

• Member of the San Ramon Valley Rotary Club
• Selected "Rising Star" by Northern California Super Lawyers, 2010.
• Member, Contra Costa County Bar Association, Tax Section

Publications

• "Help! I Think My Spouse Is Cheating (On His Taxes)" Contra Costa Lawyer, June 2011
• "Respect Your Elders: How California's Elder Abuse Law May Undermine Contracts With Seniors" www.business-law-attorney.net, May, 2010
• "When Do Buy-Sell Provisions Among Business Owners Apply To Marital Divorces?" www.business-law-attorney.net, March, 2010
• "Watch Where You Step! Common Pitfalls In Expense-Sharing Agreements A Popular Option For Many Solo Attorneys…But One Fraught With Peril!" Contra Costa Lawyer, April 2009