Corporate Law
Downey Brand is the one of the leading corporate law firms in Sacramento. As outside general counsel, our law firm represents more than 100 of the region’s companies, handling all legal matters for public, private, and family-owned companies, non-profits, limited partnerships, and LLCs. For other national and regional companies, our law firm is called upon to act as special counsel, to guide our clients through every phase of complex corporate transactions.
Our Sacramento-based corporate lawyers become intimately familiar with our clients’ businesses to better serve them and help them accomplish their goals. In this role, we are always available to offer strategic legal advice as well as to negotiate and document specific transactions. Our law firm also assists clients with legal issues they encounter regarding ongoing operational and legal compliance questions, including regulatory compliance, employment law, and the fiduciary obligations of officers and directors to investors. Other examples of services regularly performed by our corporate lawyers include the formation of business entities, the development and negotiation of shareholder agreements, and the structuring of joint ventures.
Selected Experience
- Advise Board of Directors of regional bank holding company on fiduciary duties in connection with mergers and acquisitions, and other fundamental changes.
- Advise fifty percent (50%) shareholder in connection with buyout of the other fifty percent (50%) shareholder in involuntary dissolution action, including intense advocacy during appraisal process.
- Advise large financial institution on internal investigations under the attorney-client privilege. Reorganization of large, family owned winery to diversify risk, enhance focus and maximize tax efficiencies.
- Advise Board of Directors of regional bank holding company on fiduciary duties in connection with mergers and acquisitions, and other fundamental changes.
- Advise fifty percent (50%) shareholder in connection with buyout of the other fifty percent (50%) shareholder in involuntary dissolution action, including intense advocacy during appraisal process.
- Advise large financial institution on internal investigations under the attorney-client privilege. Reorganization of large, family owned winery to diversify risk, enhance focus and maximize tax efficiencies.
- Develop and implement contract checklist for nationally renowned university to enhance quality control and efficiencies.
- Develop supply agreement form for large petroleum supply company.
- Formation of 100s of companies, including corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships and joint ventures.
Kristin N. Capritto
Kristin N. Capritto
Senior Associate
Kristin Capritto assists clients with all aspects of estate planning, trust administration, probate, business entities, and real estate transactions. Her alternative dispute resolution and negotiation expertise offers clients alternatives to litigation and adversarial proceedings.
Sacramento 916.520.5275 direct
Senior Associate
Sacramento 916.520.5275 direct
San Francisco 415.848.4818 direct
Joseph G. De Angelis
Joseph G. De Angelis
Partner
For more than 20 years, Joe De Angelis has combined his legal skills and accounting background to guide his clients through complex tax planning and business transactions. His substantial experience as a certified public accountant is extremely valuable to clients requiring practical business solutions for complex legal issues.
Sacramento 916.520.5308 direct
Partner
Sacramento 916.520.5308 direct
Steven B. Hymas, II
Steven B. Hymas, II
Partner
With over a decade of prior experience working in business and technology, Steve Hymas has a deep understanding of the legal issues clients face in relation to how their businesses work, the technical challenges they face, and how to handle those issues to best address their needs.
Sacramento 916.520.5538 direct
Partner
Sacramento 916.520.5538 direct
James Robertson
James Robertson
Partner
James Robertson uses a unique combination of legal skills and business leadership experience to provide his clients with practical and efficient legal advice and to counsel his clients through complex business transactions and an increasingly burdensome regulatory environment.
Sacramento 916.520.5363 direct
Partner
Sacramento 916.520.5363 direct
Reno 775.329.5900 direct
Danielle R. Stephens
Danielle R. Stephens
Partner
Danielle Stephens is a skilled transactional attorney who assists clients with commercial real estate leasing, financing (including CMBS and SBA loans), acquisitions and sales, easements, and title matters with a focus on contractual negotiations requiring collaborative deal-making. She also advises on matters involving contaminated properties including due diligence and remediation.
Sacramento 916.520.5475 direct
Partner
Sacramento 916.520.5475 direct
Dale A. Stern
Partner
Sacramento (916) 520-5250 direct
James L. Wigginton
Senior Associate
Sacramento 916.520.5332 direct
In the News
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February 9, 2017Lessons on Leadership: Alumni CEOs Share the Risks and Rewards of Running a Company
Cal Poly Alumnus Stan Van Vleck One of Six CEOs Featured
Press Releases
9 related items-
May 21, 2020Downey Brand Welcomes James Wigginton to its Growing Corporate Group in Sacramento
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February 7, 2020Danielle Stephens Rejoins Downey Brand as a Partner
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January 2, 2020Downey Brand Welcomes Aaron Johnson to Estate Planning and Taxation Practices in Sacramento
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November 4, 2019Downey Brand Ranked Nationally and Regionally in 2020 “Best Law Firms” by U.S. News – Best Lawyers®
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November 12, 2018Downey Brand Ranked Nationally and Regionally in “Best Law Firms” 2019 by U.S. News – Best Lawyers®
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December 15, 2017Downey Brand Partner Silvio Reggiardo Appointed Sacramento County Bar President
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December 12, 2017Downey Brand Names Six New Partners
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January 6, 2017Downey Brand Names New Partners and Counsel
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December 12, 2014Downey Brand Welcomes Three New Associates
Speaking Engagements / Events
6 related items-
March 4, 2020Estate Planning Safari
Presenter, Sacramento Zoo Special Event -
November 19, 2019Partnership Basics II: Drafting Partnership Allocations
Co-instructor, CalCPA Webcast Event -
October 17, 2019Managing Risk in the Food Delivery World: Understanding Product Recall
Joint Presentation Hosted by Downey Brand, EPIC, and Berrian Insurance Group -
January 29-30, 2018Death and Taxes are Certain, Divorce is Possible, and Business is Unpredictable – Are You Prepared?
Co-Presenter, Capital Region Family Business Center's 2018 Annual Generations Conference -
September 15, 2016Managing Cybersecurity Risks
Presenter, ACC Sacramento Chapter Luncheon -
May 20, 2016Cybersecurity for Your Business
Joint Presentation with Moss Adams, Precision Public Relations and Wells Fargo Insurance
Legal Alerts
2 related items-
June 19, 2020More Updates on the PPP, Including New Borrower-Friendly Forgiveness Applications
Downey Brand COVID-19 News and UpdatesBusiness -
June 4, 2020Senate Passes Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020: What Small Businesses Can Expect
Downey Brand COVID-19 News and UpdatesBusiness
Publications
6 related items-
Spring/Summer 2018Food Recalls: A Legal Compliance Overview from a California Perspective
California Food Producer, Edition 1 -
October 2016No Longer a Business tax Haven? The Impacts of Nevada’s New Commerce Tax
Northern Nevada Business Weekly, Business Law Guide -
October 2015Mergers and Acquisitions in the Grocery World: Issues to Consider when Buying or Selling
California Grocer, Issue 5 -
2015The Role of Independent Directors in Corporate Governance, 2d ed.
Author, American Bar Association -
April 2014Securities Law Update: Grocery Industry Companies May Now Raise Capital By Advertising
California Grocer, Issue 2 -
Spring 2008Hedge Funds and Public Disclosure Requirements: Is the SEC Telling Secrets?
Nevada Law Journal, Vol. 8, Iss. 2, Article 11