Business law should make it easier to run your company, not harder. My job is to turn complex legal issues into clear, practical decisions so you can move forward with confidence.”
Start with clarity.
Operate with confidence.
Grow with purpose.
Law Laguna Leadership
Rickson Galvez, Esq.
Founding Attorney, Law Laguna
Business Contracts • Corporate Governance & Compliance • Entity Formation & Restructuring • IP & Strategic Transactions • Outside General Counsel
Southern California Business Attorney for Growing Companies
Rickson Galvez is a Southern California business attorney whose practice centers on business contracts, corporate governance and compliance, entity formation and restructuring, employment and HR counseling for employers, intellectual property and brand protection, and transactions and strategic projects. He founded Law Laguna to give companies a business-minded legal partner that combines clarity, responsiveness, and modern, tech-forward workflows; instead of the slow, layered, and opaque experience many businesses encounter with traditional firms.
Based in Laguna Beach, Rickson counsels startups, growing companies, and established businesses across Orange County, Los Angeles, San Diego, the Bay Area, and throughout California, with select intellectual property and corporate clients across the United States.
A Background Built on Corporate & Transactional Depth
Before launching Law Laguna, Rickson practiced at Lagerlof, LLP, Pasadena’s largest and longest-standing law firm. There, he worked across corporate governance, commercial contracts, transactions, and general advisory work, supporting closely held companies, emerging growth businesses, and more complex organizations.
His work at Lagerlof emphasized practical, outcome-driven legal counsel. He regularly guided clients through corporate restructurings, regulatory compliance, employment and management issues, and dispute resolution, including mediations involving contract, fiduciary duty, real estate, and employment matters. His approach prioritizes clear explanations, disciplined process, and documentation that aligns with how deals actually operate in practice, not just in theory.
Earlier in his career, Rickson developed substantial M&A, financing, and transactional experience at Cypress Creek Renewables, a national renewable energy developer and owner with a large, diversified portfolio of utility-scale solar projects across multiple U.S. markets:
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Supported high-volume M&A, project finance, and portfolio transactions involving utility-scale solar assets nationwide.
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Drafted and coordinated corporate approvals and shareholder consent materials in connection with a $500 million debt-to-equity recapitalization.
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Worked cross-functionally with internal deal teams and external institutional counterparties, gaining exposure to repeat, sponsor-driven transaction execution.
Working alongside project finance, EPC, development, and M&A teams gave him a grounded, operational view of business law; how contracts, corporate structure, and risk allocation shape real projects, from closely held businesses to sophisticated, institutional transactions.
Experience Across Technology, Innovation & Business Operations
Rickson spent more than two years with the New York State Science & Technology Law Center, where he advised research institutions, technology development organizations, and federal laboratories on:
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Advised technology companies and research organizations on intellectual property positioning, licensing structures, and commercialization strategy.
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Analyzed patent landscapes, freedom-to-operate considerations, and licensing pathways to support informed business and investment decisions.
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Evaluated regulatory and market-entry considerations for new technologies, translating complex technical and legal concepts into actionable guidance.
Additionally, He draws on his experience at Bond, Schoeneck & King PLLC, a nationally recognized, full-service law firm with a deep bench across corporate, litigation, privacy and cybersecurity, real estate, employment, and regulatory practices. Working within a large, institutional firm environment, He supported attorneys across multiple practice groups, gaining exposure to the legal issues that sophisticated businesses face as they scale operations, manage risk, and navigate complex regulatory and commercial landscapes.
This mix of corporate, transactional, IP-adjacent, and operational experience now underpins Law Laguna’s focus on business law as an integrated function: contracts, governance, compliance, IP, and transactions working together rather than in silos.
Approach & Philosophy
Rickson founded Law Laguna with a simple belief: businesses deserve reliable legal counsel that moves at the speed of business.
His approach reflects Law Laguna’s core values:
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Direct access to your attorney – clients work directly with the lawyer leading their matters, not filtered through layers of staff.
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Transparent process and predictable billing – matters are scoped in advance whenever possible, with status and cost updates as work progresses.
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California-focused compliance – a deep understanding of California’s regulatory environment, paired with federal and multi-state considerations.
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Tech-forward, efficient workflows – organized records, clear version control, and modern tools that support clarity rather than complexity.
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Long-term partnership mindset – structures and documents are built with future diligence, transactions, and growth in mind.
Clients rely on Rickson for:
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Clear and direct communication.
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Disciplined process and structured documentation.
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Thoughtful, business-aligned legal strategy.
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Efficient engagements without unnecessary billable excess or surprises.
Whether engaged for a single strategic project or as ongoing outside general counsel, he focuses on helping leadership teams move faster with confidence, while keeping the legal foundations of the business clean and defensible.
Focus Areas
Rickson’s practice spans the full spectrum of non-litigation business law for California companies, including:
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Business Contracts & Commercial Agreements – Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating customer, vendor, supply, licensing, SaaS, services, and other commercial agreements across industries.
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Corporate Governance & Compliance – Board governance, shareholder and operating agreements, corporate records, risk assessments, compliance programs, and California-specific regulatory frameworks.
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Entity Formation & Restructuring – Formation of LLCs, corporations, PCs and MSOs; holding company and subsidiary structures; reorganizations, conversions, and ownership changes.
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Employment & HR Counseling (For Employers) – Employment contracts and offer letters, independent contractor strategy, handbooks and policies, and high-level HR compliance in coordination with specialist employment counsel as needed.
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Intellectual Property & Brand Protection – IP ownership and licensing strategy; trademark, copyright, and patent portfolio oversight and filings in collaboration with technical partners where appropriate; brand, trade secret, and trade dress protection built into contracts and corporate structure.
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Transactions & Strategic Projects – Mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, financings, and other one-time or high-stakes projects—covering deal structure, documentation, due diligence, and post-closing implementation.
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Outside General Counsel Services – Ongoing, business-focused legal support for companies that want a trusted attorney as part of the leadership conversation without hiring a full-time in-house lawyer.
Industries Served
Rickson’s work spans a wide range of California and multi-jurisdictional businesses, including:
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Startups & Emerging Companies (General) – founder-led and growth-stage companies across sectors that need broad, practical corporate counsel.
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Technology, Software & SaaS Companies – cloud platforms, AI products, dev shops, and digital tools with IP-heavy offerings and recurring-revenue models.
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E-Commerce, Online Business & Direct-to-Consumer Brands – online retailers, marketplaces, subscription products, and consumer brands selling directly to customers.
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Professional Services, Agencies & Consulting Firms – marketing and creative agencies, PR and design studios, advisory and consulting practices.
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Real Estate Investors, Development & Construction Businesses – developers, investment vehicles, construction companies, and project-specific entities.
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Restaurants, Bars, Hospitality & Food/Beverage – restaurants, cafes, bars, hotels, breweries, wineries, caterers, and hospitality groups.
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Healthcare, Medical Practices & Life Sciences – physician groups, clinics, med spas, dental and veterinary practices, biotech, med device, and health-tech ventures.
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Financial Services, FinTech & Investment Firms – lenders, funds, RIAs, fintech platforms, payment providers, and other financial businesses.
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Cannabis Businesses (Cultivation, Manufacturing, Distribution & Retail) – dispensaries, brands, manufacturers, distributors, and related operators in California’s regulated market.
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Nonprofits, Foundations & Social Enterprises – charitable organizations, private foundations, impact-driven ventures, B-Corps and benefit corporations.
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Entertainment, Media & Creative Talent – production companies, studios, music and content businesses, creators, influencers, and digital talent.
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Education, EdTech & Training Providers – private schools, tutoring companies, education platforms, and edtech vendors working with schools and institutions.
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Manufacturing, Product Companies & Supply-Chain Businesses – consumer products, industrial goods, hardware, packaging, and related manufacturers.
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Logistics, Transportation & Warehousing – trucking fleets, last-mile delivery, 3PLs, freight brokers, and warehouse operations.
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Telecommunications, Internet & Infrastructure Providers – ISPs, fiber and tower operators, telecom resellers, and infrastructure joint ventures.
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Industrial Services, Construction Trades & Field Services – HVAC, electrical, plumbing, field maintenance, industrial cleaning, and other service contractors.
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Privately Held, Family-Owned & Closely Held Businesses – multi-generation and owner-operated companies planning for growth, succession, or transition.
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Coastal, Tourism & Local Service Businesses (SoCal Focus) – retail, tourism, and local service brands along the California coast, including Laguna Beach and neighboring communities.
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General Small Businesses in California – local and regional businesses that may not fit a single industry label but need reliable, business-focused corporate counsel.
Across these industries, Rickson tailors governance, contracts, and strategic legal support to how each business actually operates—often coordinating with a trusted network of specialists when highly niche regulatory or technical issues arise.
Admissions & Education
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Bar Admissions: State Bar of California
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J.D., Syracuse University College of Law – Doctor of Law (Juris Doctor).
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B.A., University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine) – Bachelor’s degree.
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Certificate in Leadership & Negotiation Techniques, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
A Modern Legal Partner for Growing Businesses
Rickson created Law Laguna to be a modern, responsive, business-aligned legal partner for companies operating in California and beyond. Whether you are formalizing a new entity, cleaning up governance and contracts before a transaction, building an IP portfolio, or looking for a reliable outside general counsel, his goal is the same: help your business operate with clarity, structure, and confidence.
Share what your company is facing—whether it’s a stack of contracts, a new entity or transaction, or the need for ongoing outside general counsel—and we’ll outline practical next steps, transparent fees, and how our team can plug into your operations.