Category Archives: Firm News

Mark Poniatowski Rotarian of the Month for Racial Discrimination Forum

The Rotary Club of Castro Valley recently honored our firm founder and partner Mark Poniatowski as Rotarian of the Month, along with fellow club members Roland Williams and Bernie Kempen. They were honored for their work establishing the club’s Racial Discrimination Forum and initiating a serious discussion of race in our community.

Mark Poniatowski Founds Castro Valley Rotary Club Racial Discrimination Forum to Explore Community Bias Issues

Here is an excerpt from the club’s announcement: Continue reading →

Home Title Fraud a Growing Threat for California Homeowners

Home title fraud earned the “latest scam” label from the FBI back in 2008. Home title fraud (also known as “deed fraud”) is different from mortgage fraud. Title fraud occurs when someone obtains the title to your home through fraudulent methods. Then, the criminal tries to use your home’s equity to secure as many loans as possible. Homeowners can be completely unaware of this until the lender tries to foreclose on the home. It can take your real estate attorneys months to undo the damage. Continue reading →

Decades of Quality Legal Work for Our Business from PLP Law

We have used the Poniatowski Leding Parikh Law Firm and have known Mark Poniatowski for over 20 years; we are extremely pleased with the legal advice we have received over those years. The staff is professional, easy to work with and dedicated in protecting our interests. Many of the issues we have asked assistance for are outside “credit/collection/recovery law” and the results have been just as successful. Without the help of Mark and his staff, we know that we would not have had the successful outcomes we have had. We certainly appreciate the knowledge and support received through this law firm.

2020 Google my Business Review for Poniatowski Leding Parikh Law Corporation by a Northern California Heavy Equipment Dealership with multiple locations.

Mark D. Poniatowski Recognized for Creditor/Debtor Rights Legal Expertise by SuperLawyers

For the second year running, our partner Mark D. Poniatowski has been recognized by SuperLawyers for his strong reputation in the Bay Area legal community as a Creditor/Debtor Rights lawyer.

Poniatowski Earns 2020 SuperLawyers Rating for Creditors Rights Work

Mark has been practicing law in Castro Valley and the East Bay for over 30 years, starting out with a real estate and small business law practice in 1989. Continue reading →

Judgment In Favor Of PLP Law Client Upheld On Appeal Against Competing Secured Creditor In A Lien Priority Dispute

We represented a judgment lien creditor that sought priority of its attachment/judgment lien against the holder of a senior deed of trust in an interpleader action. This was to determine which party was entitled to nearly $300,000 in surplus funds after a trustee’s sale of commercial real property in Hayward, CA.

Hayward Commercial Real Estate Proceeds Subject to Creditor Dispute

After a 4-day bench trial in 2016 between these two competing secured creditors, the trial court entered judgment in favor our client, even though our client’s lien was recorded after the opposing party pension plan’s deed of trust. Continue reading →

Employers: Focus on the “B” of the ABC Test When Analyzing Contractor vs Employee Status Under AB5

We have been asked for guidance by many of our small business clients regarding the classification of workers as either independent contractors or employees based on the new California law known as AB 5.

Defining Independent Contractor Status Under AB-5

There are certain labor law requirements triggered when a worker is considered an employee rather than an independent contractor. A full discussion of them is beyond the scope of this blog. But, as most employers know, the additional labor law and tax requirements applicable to employees, compared to independent contractors, are significant.

Now we have AB 5, which is a new law effective January 1, 2020. Continue reading →

Poniatowski Leding Parikh Law Corporation Celebrates 30-Year Anniversary

We are proud to be celebrating thirty years of serving as legal advisors to businesses and individuals in Alameda County and Northern California.

Thirty Years of Handling Client Legal Matters in Northern California

From the day we opened our doors in a small office in Castro Valley dedicated to business law and real estate law, our mission has been to provide prompt, quality, results oriented representation and practical advice to our clients. We are proud to have stayed true to this objective over these three busy, challenging decades. Continue reading →

PLP Law Corp. Establishes Family Law Practice Group

Poniatowski Leding Parikh Law Corporation announces the formation of its Family Law Practice Group. Beginning July 1, 2018 PLP Law Corp. now offers representation, counseling and advice across the full spectrum of Family Law matters, such as:

Dissolution, Legal Separation and Annulment
Parentage Rights
Child Custody and Visitation
Child Support
Spousal Support
Property Division
Premarital Agreements
Stepparent and Domestic Partner Adoptions
Independent Adoptions

Continue reading →

Meera Parikh Serving as Family Law Legal Advisor for Low Income Families

Poniatowski Leding Parikh partner Meera Parikh worked with the staff of the non-profit All for the Family Legal Clinic, Inc. for a year in a pro-bono capacity. We were pleased to have been able to support the work of this clinic, based in Castro Valley, serving low-income families in Alameda County and the wider Bay Area.

The Non-Profit offers Legal Services
to Low-Income Families in Alameda County

The clinic is a non-profit, public benefit corporation which is dedicated to providing low-cost legal assistance to people who cannot afford to hire a lawyer privately. It charges for its services at a reduced rate, with the fee for legal aid calculated on the client’s ability to pay. Continue reading →

Attorney Meera Parikh Appointed to Pleasanton Human Services Commission

Meera T. Parikh is one of the partners at Poniatowski Leding Parikh Law Corporation. Meera specializes in business and commercial litigation, real estate litigation, and creditor’s rights in bankruptcy and receiverships. Meera graduated from the University of Houston with a degree in Cell and Molecular Biology. She then continued her education at Santa Clara University School of Law where she received her J.D. and certification in High Tech law. Meera is also a member of the US Patent Bar and was previously a patent attorney in Silicon Valley. Continue reading →