Links

CALIFORNIA BUSINESS LAWYER:

Links often used by Alan Abergel, a California licensed business lawyer.

LENDING & FINANCIAL SERVICES

As a California lending & financial services attorney, I often use the following websites.

Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI)

California DBO is now the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI)

DBO was created by merger of the formerly California Department of Financial Institutions and Department of Corporations.

DFPI protects consumers and oversees financial service providers and products. The DFPI supervises the operations of state-licensed financial institutions, including banks, credit unions and money transmitters. Additionally, the DFPI licenses and regulates a variety of financial service providers, including securities brokers and dealers, investment advisers, payday lenders and other consumer finance lenders.

California Department of Real Estate (DRE)

DRE regulates and licenses real estate, business, and mortgage loan brokers and salespersons.

http://www.dre.ca.gov/

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)

CFPB is an independent agency of the United States government responsible for consumer protection in the financial sector. Its jurisdiction includes banks, credit unions, securities firms, payday lenders, mortgage-servicing operations, foreclosure relief services, debt collectors, other financial companies operating in the United States.

The CFPB’s creation was authorized by the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, whose passage in 2010 was a legislative response to the financial crisis of 2007–08 and the subsequent Great Recession.

http://www.consumerfinance.gov/

CORPORATE AND SECURITIES

As a California licensed business and corporate attorney, I often use the following websites.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)

SEC protects investors, maintain fair, orderly, and efficient markets, and facilitate capital formation. The SEC oversees the key participants in the securities world, including securities exchanges, securities brokers and dealers, investment advisors, and mutual funds.

http://www.sec.gov/

Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (FINRA)

FINRA regulates securities brokers and dealers.

FINRA is not part of the government. It is an independent, not-for-profit organization authorized by Congress to protect America’s investors by making sure the securities industry operates fairly and honestly.

http://www.finra.org/

California Corporations Code

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/.html/corp_table_of_contents.html

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

As a California trademark and copyright attorney, I often use the following websites.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (PTO)

PTO is an agency in the U.S. Department of Commerce that issues patents to inventors and businesses for their inventions, and trademark registration for product and intellectual property identification.

http://www.uspto.gov/

The United States Copyright Office

The United States Copyright Office is the official U.S. government body that maintains records of copyright registration in the United States.

http://www.copyright.gov/

GENERAL BUSINESS

As a California business attorney, I often use the following websites.

City of Los Angeles The Office of Finance

If you conduct business in the City of Los Angeles, you will need to get a business tax registration certificate. You can register online or go to one of their locations http://finance.lacity.org/content/LocationsHours2.htm

http://finance.lacity.org/

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

FTC is an independent agency of the United States government. Its principal mission is the promotion of consumer protection and the elimination and prevention of anticompetitive business practices and unfair business practices.

https://www.ftc.gov/

IRS forms and publications

http://www.irs.gov/Forms-&-Pubs

California Franchise Tax Board forms and publications

https://www.ftb.ca.gov/forms/search/index.aspx?WT.mc_id=Business_Forms_MoreButton

REAL ESTATE & ZONING

As a California real estate attorney, I often use the following websites.

The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

HUD resources webpage is very useful to mortgage lenders and property owners.

http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/resources

MUNICODE LIBRARY: California. Provides links to California municipalities (cities, counties) municipal and zoning codes.

https://www.municode.com/library/ca