GENERAL CORPORATE MATTERS

Smiland & Khachigian represents businesses, property owners and entrepreneurs in private and public legal matters. The firm earned its reputation by representing businesses in cases and transactions that reflect the dynamic economic history of Southern California, including corporate and commercial cases for family owned companies and multinational Fortune 500 companies. The firm’s practice includes counseling clients in local, state and federal government relations, including state and federal regulatory and legislative arenas.

The firm’s lawyers have represented numerous Southern California industrial clients, for example a group of twenty metal companies, the Alliance of Small Emitters/Metals Industry, in administrative proceedings before the South Coast Air Quality Management District regarding the landmark RECLAIM program and thirteen manufacturers, three contractors and six dealers in litigation before the Air Resources Board and six air districts challenging rules limiting organic compound content of various paints. The firm is currently representing a group of paint manufacturers challenging EPA's 1995 study and listing of the volatile organic compound emissions from consumer and commercial products and its 1998 architectural coatings rule, in a series of cases including Allied Local and Regional Manufacturers v. EPA (D.C. Cir. 1998).

The firm’s members have negotiated and closed multiple mergers and acquisitions, documented and closed the sale of on-going businesses, prepared uncountable business agreements and served as officers of and as members of the Boards of Directors of a variety of companies, including paint, biotechnology and farming companies. The firm also enjoys substantial experience with initial public offerings, SEC reporting, state and federal securities regulations and shareholder relations. Members of the firm have represented companies as diverse as energy, paint, telecommunications, real estate, pharmaceutical, farming, data processing, retail flower and gift sales and waste management enterprises. One member of the firm has represented start-up companies in emerging growth industries, such as telecommunications and the internet, and managed the formation of numerous real estate investment partnerships, an investment management company, a national telemarketing response center and a multinational Hispanic media company. Two members of the firm have significant experience in government relations activities, one of whom has worked at the very highest levels in both state and federal arenas and who the U.S. Chamber of Commerce described as "one of the nation’s most experienced and respected political and issues strategists."