KARA L. GERVAIS -- Licensed in California and Washington
karagervais@gervaislawfirm.com

Legal Background

Ms. Gervais has an extensive background in a variety of legal matters, focusing mostly around real estate and business. While she prides herself on aggressive and assertive litigation, she counsels clients on preventative strategies to avoid litigation and early and cost-efficient ways to resolve disputes, including mediation and arbitration.

Representative Matters

Transactional Real Estate

• Negotiate and draft all documents related to commercial real estate transactions, including, but not limited to, non-discolure agreements, letters of intent, purchase agreements, escrow instructions, assignments, closing documents, deeds.
• Review, analyze and/or draft lease agreements on behalf of both Landlords and Tenants. 
• Review and analyze title reports, surveys, engineering and construction documents.  
• Provide construction managmeent support for development/redevelopment. 
• Review of loan/lender documents in connection with financing. 

• Instituted and defended legal actions for quiet title, slander of title, fraud, breach of contract, negligence, breach of fiduciary duty, specific performance, declaratory relief and injunctive relief on behalf of property owners and business entities.
• Defended legal actions brought against real estate agents, brokers, mortgage companies/lenders.
• Resolved landlord/tenant disputes.
• Attended arbitrations and mediations to resolve a variety of real estate related matters. 

• Advise Boards of Directors on proper procedures for operating a corporation, including, but not limited to, maintaining proper corporate books, holding regular board and shareholder meetings, fiduciary responsiblities of the directors and officers, strategies for corporate growth and assess legal risks for the company.
• Assist companies in evaluation of potential sale, merger, acquisition or other corporate opportunities. 
• Work with CFO/accounting department to determine best practices for financial gains and strength of the company. 
• Work with the Human Resource department to evaluate compliance with California law, including wage/hour.  Provide regular audits of company\'s records to determine compliance. 
• Work for several companies as In-House Counsel, advising on a wide array of company matters. 

Legal counsel for numerous homeowners associations in San Diego and Riverside counties, assisting with:

• Interpretation and amendment of the association\'s governing documents.
• Resolution of association/owner disputes for violations of the association\\'s governing documents.
• Attendance at Board meetings and membership meetings.

Seminars/Educational

• Conducts seminars and advises real estate agents and brokers regarding proper procedures and ways to avoid litigation.
• Provides businesses with monthly conferences to discuss hot button business/employment related matters and risk assessment. 

Education

In 1998, Ms. Gervais received her Bachelor of Science degree from San Diego State University, graduating cum laude, with distinction in Criminal Justice Administration. In 2001, she earned her Juris Doctor degree from California Western School of Law, graduating in the top 25% of her class.

Personal

Originally from Washington State, Ms. Gervais has now called San Diego her home since 1990. She enjoys working around her house and enjoying nature. She also loves to spend time with her son, who graduated from Western Washington University in June 2015 and now resides in New York.