Commercial Real Estate Transactions Done Right the First Time
What We Handle in Commercial Property Transactions
Commercial real estate involves layers of legal complexity that residential transactions simply don't carry. Our attorneys work with buyers, sellers, investors, landlords, and business tenants on a full range of commercial property matters, including:
- Purchase and sale agreements for commercial and mixed-use properties
- Commercial lease drafting, review, and negotiation
- Due diligence coordination and review of title reports, surveys, and disclosure packages
- Escrow and closing support, including identification and resolution of title defects
- Entity structuring for property acquisition and investment
- Contract disputes arising from failed or disputed commercial transactions
Whether you're acquiring your first commercial property or managing a portfolio of investment assets, we apply the same careful, experienced review to every transaction.
Our senior partner has been working in real property law and the real estate industry since 1996 — including prior ownership of a real estate company and a leadership role overseeing the sales department at First American Title Insurance Company. When we review a commercial purchase agreement, a lease, or a title commitment, we bring that transactional depth to every line. Commercial property deals move fast, involve significant capital, and carry risks that don't surface until something goes wrong. We're here to make sure you understand what you're signing before you're bound by it.
Legal Counsel That Understands Commercial Property From Both Sides of the Table
Why Commercial Transactions Require a Real Estate Attorney — Not Just a Broker
A broker's job is to close the deal. An attorney's job is to protect your position in it. In commercial transactions, that distinction matters. Purchase agreements, lease terms, contingency periods, indemnification clauses, and title exceptions all carry legal consequences that a broker is not licensed to advise on. California law does not require an attorney to be present at a commercial closing — but the deals that generate litigation years later are often the ones where no attorney reviewed the documents before signing.
Our firm drafts and litigates. If a transaction dispute arises after closing, the same attorneys who understand the deal from the document stage can handle it through resolution or trial. That continuity is something most firms can't offer.
Serving Businesses and Investors Across Long Beach and Southern California
We represent clients in commercial property transactions throughout the Long Beach area and across the broader Southern California corridor. Our clients include small business owners purchasing their first commercial space, property investors acquiring income-producing assets, and established companies negotiating complex long-term leases. If your transaction involves property in Long Beach, Torrance, Lakewood, Cerritos, Seal Beach, or surrounding communities including Huntington Beach, Anaheim, and Mission Viejo, our team is positioned to assist.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Commercial Property Transactions
Do I need a real estate attorney for a commercial property purchase in California?
California does not legally require attorney involvement in commercial real estate closings, but the risks of proceeding without one are significant. Commercial agreements are complex, negotiable documents — and the terms you agree to at signing govern every dispute that follows. An attorney reviews what a broker cannot advise on, including title exceptions, indemnification language, and contingency protections.California does not legally require attorney involvement in commercial real estate closings, but the risks of proceeding without one are significant. Commercial agreements are complex, negotiable documents — and the terms you agree to at signing govern every dispute that follows. An attorney reviews what a broker cannot advise on, including title exceptions, indemnification language, and contingency protections.What is the difference between commercial and residential real estate transactions legally?
Commercial transactions involve fewer statutory protections than residential ones. There are no standard disclosure forms, no mandatory rescission periods, and fewer consumer protections built into the process. The parties are assumed to be sophisticated, which means the terms of the contract carry more weight and are more likely to be enforced as written — making careful review before signing essential.Commercial transactions involve fewer statutory protections than residential ones. There are no standard disclosure forms, no mandatory rescission periods, and fewer consumer protections built into the process. The parties are assumed to be sophisticated, which means the terms of the contract carry more weight and are more likely to be enforced as written — making careful review before signing essential.Can Potier Law Group help with commercial lease disputes as well as new transactions?
Yes. We handle both the transactional and litigation sides of commercial real estate. If a lease dispute, breach of contract, or failed transaction arises, our attorneys can step in whether or not we handled the original documents. And if we did handle the original transaction, we already know the deal — which shortens the time and cost of getting up to speed.Yes. We handle both the transactional and litigation sides of commercial real estate. If a lease dispute, breach of contract, or failed transaction arises, our attorneys can step in whether or not we handled the original documents. And if we did handle the original transaction, we already know the deal — which shortens the time and cost of getting up to speed.What should I look for in a commercial lease before signing?
Key provisions to review include rent escalation clauses, permitted use definitions, responsibility for tenant improvements, CAM (common area maintenance) charges and audit rights, assignment and subletting rights, default and cure periods, and any personal guarantee requirements. Many of these terms are negotiable before signing and far more difficult to address once the lease is executed.Key provisions to review include rent escalation clauses, permitted use definitions, responsibility for tenant improvements, CAM (common area maintenance) charges and audit rights, assignment and subletting rights, default and cure periods, and any personal guarantee requirements. Many of these terms are negotiable before signing and far more difficult to address once the lease is executed.How long does a commercial real estate transaction typically take to close in California?
Timelines vary based on financing, due diligence complexity, and the nature of the property. All-cash transactions with straightforward title can close in 30 days or fewer. Financed acquisitions with environmental review, zoning analysis, or title defects commonly run 60 to 90 days. Having legal counsel involved early in the due diligence period helps avoid delays caused by unresolved title issues or missing documentation at closing.Timelines vary based on financing, due diligence complexity, and the nature of the property. All-cash transactions with straightforward title can close in 30 days or fewer. Financed acquisitions with environmental review, zoning analysis, or title defects commonly run 60 to 90 days. Having legal counsel involved early in the due diligence period helps avoid delays caused by unresolved title issues or missing documentation at closing.
Speak Directly With a Commercial Real Estate Attorney
When you contact Potier Law Group, you reach your attorney — not a paralegal, not a receptionist routing calls. We return calls and emails the same day, and our attorneys are available to walk you through a transaction, a lease, or a dispute without making you wait. Our firm handles commercial property transactions alongside our broader real estate litigation practice, so if a deal becomes a dispute, we're already in your corner.
If you're working on a commercial property transaction in the Long Beach area, call our office or submit a contact form to schedule a consultation.
Call Potier Law Group:
562-986-9900
You'll hear back from an attorney — not an assistant — the same day.