california attorney who represents government contractors

Can a company hire a lawyer to represent a corporation?

Watson & Associates, LLC help federal government contractors for various industries in all states including California, San Francisco, Los Angeles all surrounding metro cities to resolve federal contract disputes and to increase our client’s bottom line. The law firm has domestic and international reach. Over 30 years of federal procurement.

What does a contractor do?

While attorneys may have general experience with government contracts it is important that an attorney also have experience with the particular governmental authority involved and knowledge of bidding and contracting policies and procedures specific to that agency.

What happens if you hire an unlicensed contractor in California?

At Watson & Associates, our government contract claims lawyers and government procurement litigation attorneys represent contractors by helping with Contract Disputes Act claims, government’s requests for equitable adjustment and responding to cure notices and show cause letters. At the appellate level, we litigate at the Civilian and Armed Service Boards of Contract …

Can I sue the Registrar of contractors as a guarantor?

The California Contractors State License Board’s action is called the Final Decision and Order. There are two main rights of Appeal of a Final Decision and Order. California Government Code § 11521 allows a Contractor to file a Petition for Reconsideration prior to the effective date of the Final Decision and Order.

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A contractor is a person or company that offers services like construction, home remodeling, painting, paving, roofing, or electrical work to impro...

to Verify License Status Or For Questions

Verify license status online or by calling 1-800-321-CSLB (2752). The CSLB also has a helpful summary of what you should know before hiring a contr...

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1. Someone comes to your door and offers to do roofing, painting, install solar panels, or perform other work at a reduced price. Once you pay, the...

Our Methodology

Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.

Practice Area Definition

Federal, state, and local governmental entities are large consumers of goods and services provided by private companies and individuals. In fact, the U.S. Government is the largest consumer of products and services in the world.

How many contractors are licensed in California?

The California Contractors State License Board, known as the CSLB, licenses approximately 300,000 Contractors in the State of California. Most California Contractors have minimal or no contact with the enforcement arm of the California Contractors State License Board. For Contractors who become part of the California Contractors State License Board’s disciplinary process, the consequences are profound. The Contractor License disciplinary process is complex, procedural and time consuming. Contractors facing the California Contractors State License Board disciplinary process should seek legal representation from an experienced California Contractors State License Board License Defense Attorney.

Can a California contractor be disciplined?

The California Contractors State License Board can discipline Contractors for criminal convictions. California Contractors State License Board discipline occurs for criminal convictions that are substantially related to the duties, functions and qualifications of a Contractor. Common criminal offenses that can cause Contractor License discipline are:

How long does a contractor have to file a notice of defense in California?

The Contractor, now called the Respondent, has only 15 days from the date that the Accusation was served (not received, but served) to file a Notice of Defense. The failure to file a Notice of Defense results in a Default against the Contractor. A Default will result in the immediate Revocation of the Contractor License.

What are the different types of contractors in California?

In California, there are three classes of contractor licenses: 1 Class A, for General Engineering Contractors. These contractors deal in excavation, paving, grading, irrigation, and similar areas of work. 2 Class B, for General Building Contractors, is the license type held by those who build or remodel both commercial and residential properties. These contractors are skilled to handle an entire project on their own or supervises others who tackle the various tasks. 3 Class C is for specialty contractors of numerous descriptions, including for HVAC work, electrical work, drywall installation, fencing, masonry, roofing, plumbing, welding, and more.

How many construction contractors are there in California?

There are over 300,000 licensed construction contractors in the state of California, and without them, buildings, bridges, highways, playgrounds, and more all across the state would either not exist or be in serious disrepair. The work you render your clients and the general public as a construction contractor is truly indispensable.

What is a warning letter?

Complaint resolved by the two parties coming to a mutually acceptable agreement. A warning letter is issued or a citation, either of which are reserved for relatively minor issues, unless a fine accompanying the citation is extremely large.

What happens if you ignore a fine?

And if you ignore a fine, after 90 days, it will lead to license revocation. We can defend your license for you while you continue to go about your contractor duties and make sure you aren't "surprised" by unknown board "rules" or actions. Negotiating a Resolution.

What is arbitration process?

In many cases, there will be an arbitration process (sometimes mandatory, sometimes voluntary) to attempt to resolve a dispute without any board disciplinary actions or criminal charges. This is always the better way, but if the complainant will not cooperate, we have the legal know-how to challenge and defeat the complaint in many instances or to, at the least, secure a lesser form of discipline that lets you keep your contractor's license and continue your career.

Overview

The federal government spent more than $652 billion on contracts and $970 billion on grants in fiscal year 2020. The size and complexity of this market requires a practical understanding of the relevant statutes and regulations, roles and operations of the contracting agencies, and compliance pitfalls and best practices.

Key Areas of Government Contracting Experience

Our Government Contracts Group has broad, in-depth experience in all facets of U.S. government contracts law as well as international government contracts law. Our team is poised to assist you whether the issue involves regulatory compliance, litigation, or a transaction, including:

Representing a Wide Range of Industries

We apply our government contracting experience in a wide range of industries, including:

Comprehensive Legal Representation

Our Government Contracts Group is organized to help you successfully manage all of the issues, processes and parties involved in even the most complex transactions. Our goal is to provide you with the most efficient and cost-effective legal representation in virtually every kind of government procurement matter.

Multimedia

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What is a contractor?

A contractor is a person or company that offers services like construction, home remodeling, painting, paving, roofing, or electrical work to improve your home or property. The decision to update your home can be a big and expensive one, so take your time before you decide to hire a contractor. Be sure to get multiple bids and check references.

How much down payment can a contractor make?

By law, a down payment cannot exceed 10% of the project price or $1,000, whichever is less.

Is it bad to hire an unlicensed contractor?

Hiring an unlicensed contractor is risky: the quality of the work may be poor and you may end up paying more if your home is damaged, the work is incomplete or faulty, or if a worker is injured.

What is a small claims court?

Small claims court is a special court where disputes are resolved quickly and inexpensively. The rules are simple and informal. The person who sues is called the plaintiff. The person who is sued is called the defendant. You are not allowed to have a lawyer represent you at the hearing in small claims court.

How old do you have to be to sue in small claims court?

You can sue in small claims court if you are: At least 18 years old, OR. An emancipated child. If you are not mentally competent, or you are under 18 years old (and not emancipated), a judge must appoint a "guardian ad litem" to represent you in small claims court.

Can a lawyer represent a corporation?

That person cannot be hired just to represent the corporation. And, that person cannot be the lawyer for the corporation.

What is guardian ad litem?

A guardian ad litem is an adult appointed by the court to represent you ONLY in the case in question. Please Note: New legislation allows landlords to file a small claims action for unpaid rent for amounts that exceed jurisdictional limits, beginning on August 1, 2021.

How long do you have to file a lawsuit?

If you are suing because a written agreement was broken, you have 4 years to file after the agreement was broken. If you are suing because your property was damaged, you have 3 years to file after your property was damaged. If you are suing because of fraud, you have 3 years to file after you find out about the fraud.

Can you appeal a small claims court decision?

Appealing a Small Claims Court Decision. You cannot appeal if you were the person who filed the claim. If someone else files a claim against you and you lose, you can appeal. This means that if you are the plaintiff suing a defendant and you lose, you cannot appeal the court’s decision.

What are the types of small claims?

There are different kinds of cases you can file in small claims court. Some common types of small claims cases are disputes about: Property damage or personal injury from a car accident; Landlord/tenant security deposits; Damage to your property by a neighbor;

Key Areas of Government Contracting Experience

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Representing A Wide Range of Industries

Comprehensive Legal Representation