“I respect Kris’ ability to quickly identify the key factors to structuring a deal and then executing and delivering on it.”

Scott Aney,
Banker, Senior Vice President
and Regional Manager

“I have worked with Kris Qualls on several occasions while he was general counsel of USA Gasoline. Recently, I selected Kris to represent a Northern California landlord. Both the landlord and I were very pleased with his handling of this complex lease transaction”.

Jack McGuire,
Business Advisor and former General Manager of Marketing of Chevron Corporation

“I have known Kris Qualls since 1986 and have always been impressed with his intelligence, creativity and determination for his clients.”

Ralph Block,
Owner and CEO of
Essential REIT Publications

Core Practice Areas

Business Guidance and Transactions
Mr. Qualls' business law practice includes:

• Selection of the appropriate business entity: sole proprietorships, corporations [including C-corp. or S-corp.], limited liability companies and partnerships
• Contracts and agreements
• Purchase and sale of assests or businesses
• Buy-Sell agreements
• Loan agreements, promissory notes, secured transactions and guaranties
• Equity from initial “seed capital” to major investment offerings
• Closing a business, including liquidations and dissolutions

 

Real Estate Transactions
Mr. Qualls' real estate practice includes:

• Selection and formation of ownership structure, including co-tenancies, joint ventures, partnerships, limited liability companies and corporate ownership
• Purchase and sale agreements
• Leases (e.g., triple net, full service gross, modified gross, etc.)
• Due diligence, including title, environmental, entitlements, litigation and related matters
• Title matters, including insurance, endorsements, exceptions and disputes
• Loan and credit agreements, promissory notes, deeds of trusts, guaranties, etc.

Employment Matters
Mr. Qualls' employment practice includes all of the following areas:

• Employee handbooks
• At-will employment acknowledgements
• Hiring and termination policies and procedures
• Employee disciplinary procedures
• Severance payment policies
• Release Agreements to conclude the relationship and minimize/eliminate claims
• Classification as “exempt” or “nonexempt” employment status for overtime and benefits
• Overtime and meal and break compliance
• Classification as an employee or independent contractor
• Employment contracts and executive agreements
• Independent contractor agreements
• Nondisclosure agreements, confidentiality agreements, and non-compete agreements
• Bonus and incentive plans
• Stock or other equity-based compensation agreements or plans

 

Contracts and Agreements
Mr. Qualls can provide a wide variety of contract and agreement services, including the following:

• Loans and financing agreements
• Personal and corporate guaranties
• UCC financing statements and security agreements
• Purchase Orders
• Supply agreements, OEM and VAR agreements
• Equipment leases

Industry Specialization: Gasoline Stations and Convenience Stores

As a former General Counsel of USA Gasoline, Mr. Qualls has negotiated and documented over 300 sales and purchases of gasoline stations and convenience stores and countless leases of gasoline stations and convenience stores.

Mr. Qualls industry specialization includes the following legal areas for gas stations and convenience stores:

• Buying and Selling
• Leasing
• Branding and Supply Agreements

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