All Articles

What Is QSBS? A Guide to Qualified Small Business Stock and IRC Section 1202

August 21, 2024 |

The Qualified Small Business Stock (“QSBS”) exclusion is a provision of the Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”) which allows eligible non-corporate taxpayers to potentially exclude millions of dollars of gain from federal income tax when they sell shares in their company.  The… Read More

Avoiding Probate

August 14, 2024 |

Passing your home on to your heirs at your death seems like a simple concept, but when it requires a court process, it can get complicated and costly.  The court process by which property is transferred from an estate to a living person is called a probate.  California requires all estates… Read More

Partner Nancy Johnson Appointed to Board Chair with Symphony San Jose

August 8, 2024 |

We are honored to recognize Partner Nancy Johnson’s recent appointment to Board Chair with Symphony San Jose. Nancy is a longtime supporter and member of the Board, and looks forward to guiding this incredible organization with her fellow Board members. To read more about this special… Read More

Introducing Veena A. Bansal to our San Jose Office

August 1, 2024 |

Berliner Cohen is pleased to welcome Veena A. Bansal to the Litigation department in our San Jose office. Veena’s practice focuses on complex civil litigation, including business litigation, probate and trust litigation, and other commercial and contractual disputes. She assists clients in all… Read More

Berliner Cohen Successfully Defends Client in Concealed Carry Weapon Permit Case

July 24, 2024 |

Please join Berliner Cohen, LLP in congratulating Christian Picone, who last week obtained not guilty verdicts on charges brought against client and local attorney Harpaul Nahal (Santa Clara County Case No. C2010724).  Mr. Nahal was a defendant in the well-publicized concealed carry weapon… Read More

California Businesses Required to Provide Drug Testing Devices

July 23, 2024 |

As of July 1, 2024, AB 1013 requires businesses with Type 48 licenses (bars & night clubs) to provide drug testing devices to patrons to detect common date-rape drugs. In addition to these devices, applicable businesses must display clear and legible signage informing customers that such devices… Read More

Failure to Disclose: Buyer Considerations Before and After Purchase

July 17, 2024 |

Unfortunately for buyers in the Bay Area, we continue to see markets with high demand and/or low supply of coveted residential real estate, which leave buyers with little to no bargaining power. Buyers are forced to furiously outbid their competition, expeditiously transfer their earnest money… Read More

Berliner Cohen Attorneys Named to 2024 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists

July 11, 2024 |

We are proud to announce nineteen Berliner Cohen attorneys have been recognized by Thomson Reuters’ Northern California Super Lawyers and Rising Stars programs this year.  Please join us in congratulating our 2024 Northern California Super Lawyers and Rising Stars! This program… Read More

PAGA Reforms are on the Way!

June 20, 2024 |

Earlier this week, Governor Newsom and California legislative leaders announced sweeping changes to the Private Attorneys General Act (known as PAGA).  PAGA is the controversial legislation passed over twenty years ago, which enables an employee to step in the shoes of the Labor Commissioner… Read More

What is Trademark Dilution?

June 5, 2024 |

What is Trademark Dilution? Trademark dilution is the unauthorized use of a famous mark in commerce at any time that is likely to cause “dilution by blurring” or “dilution by tarnishment.” A cause of action exists regardless of the presence or absence of actual or likely… Read More

Price Transparency Compliance for California Businesses

May 16, 2024 | ,

On July 1, 2024, SB 478 (“Hidden Fees Statute”) will go into effect, requiring businesses to publish pricing for goods and services that includes all fees, except taxes and shipping costs. The law applies to a variety of industries including restaurants, food delivery services, hotels,… Read More

Injury Illness Prevention Plan Resources for California Restaurants

May 8, 2024 |

Under Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations (T8CCR) section 3203, every California employer is required to develop and implement an effective Injury Illness Prevention Plan. CalOSHA provides various resources to start an IIPP. For California restaurant owners, click here for a sample… Read More

Introducing Fred A. Silva to Our Modesto Office

May 2, 2024 |

Berliner Cohen is pleased to welcome Fred A. Silva to the Litigation department in our Modesto office. Fred has been a business and trust litigation lawyer for most of his career and has tried complex disputes representing businesses and individuals.  His practice has also included being the… Read More

Introducing Pablo Tagre to our Modesto Office

April 17, 2024 |

We are pleased to welcome Pablo Tagre to the Estate Planning department in our Modesto office. Pablo’s practice focuses on estate planning and business transactional matters. Over the past decade, he was a solo practitioner with the Tagre Law Corporation. Pablo was born in Guatemala and raised… Read More

Berliner Cohen Announces the Small Business Grant Winner!

April 11, 2024 |

We’re excited to announce our 2023 Small Business Grant winner! Congratulations to Marisol Arreola, owner of Arreola’s Beauty Salon, on being the 2023 recipient of our small business grant for local, minority-owned businesses. Arreola’s Beauty Salon has been operating for over 20… Read More