Free Consultation
$0 first 60 minutes
Transactional Corporate Attorney for Small and Medium Business
My Philosophy
Every corporate attorney has taken the time to learn the law. Not every corporate attorney will take the time to learn your business. That is what I want to do: learn your business. Before becoming a corporate attorney and founding San Diego Corporate Law, I spent several years in leadership roles of privately held corporations. In that time, I learned that the issues facing each business in each industry are unique. Broad application of the same operational or management principles between industries, or even between two businesses in the same industry, is not superlative management. Similarly, providing counsel to a business without understanding the industry or the needs of the specific business is not a superlative practice of corporate law. I strive to provide first-class legal service, and that means knowing how you do your work before I do mine.
My Services
I am a corporate attorney providing corporate law, securities law, contract drafting and review, and intellectual property law services for small and medium businesses.
More specifically, I assist small and medium businesses with the formation of business entities such as corporations, s-corps, and LLCs; assistance with financing through the sale of debt and equity securities; the provision of contract drafting and contract review services; prosecution and exploitation of trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets; mergers and acquisitions; and a host of other legal services.
In 2009 I founded San Diego Corporate Law, and in the years since I am pleased to count among my clients businesses in the healthcare, biotechnology, multimedia production, insurance, publishing, financial services, construction, textiles, engineering, logistics, manufacturing, non-profit, and professional services industries, including medical, dental, mental health professionals and other law firms.
I adhere to billing practices that are upfront and honest. When possible, I provide my services on a flat-fee basis. When hourly billing is required, I work efficiently and diligently and am willing to work within client specified "not to exceed" limits.
For more information about a specific legal service, please visit my website or contact me via email or telephone. I also invite you to connect with me on social media.
4
Practice Areas
16 years | 400 cases
16 years | 1,500 cases
16 years | 150 cases
16 years | 60 cases
Free Consultation
$0 first 60 minutes
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Chat withState: California
Acquired: 2008
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4655 Cass Street, STE 407, San Diego, CA, 92169-2834
Showing 1 - 5 of 9 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Tsion | July 9, 2025 | Hired Attorney
Attorney Michael Leonard and his staff assisted us with our corporate needs. Mr. Leonard is highly knowledgeable in guiding law firms and provided me with all the information and assistance I needed. He and his team responded to all my questions immediately and worked diligently and efficiently. They...
Posted by Darya | December 23, 2022 | Hired Attorney
It has been a pleasure working with San Diego Corporate Law! They handled everything very quickly. When I started to work with them, I had no idea what I was doing and had many questions. They were patient with me and answered all of my questions. They made the whole process very nice and smooth. I h...
Posted by Jessica O'Neill | April 19, 2022 | Hired Attorney
Michael and his staff have been our go-to corporate law group since we started our moving company about 4 years ago. They are very knowledgeable and honest with their expert advice. Reasonably priced, and gets the job done in a very timely manner. They put my mind at ease knowing I can go to them ...
Posted by Hannah | August 2, 2021 | Hired Attorney
Michael is an incredible lawyer who understands how to fix businesses that have been filed inaccurately from places that don't understand the differences between LLCs and Corporations. Michael and his client relationship manager, Malia fully supported me throughout the process of forming my corporati...
Posted by Mary | July 21, 2021 | Hired Attorney
I loved my experience with San Diego Corporate Law. Michael took his time from the initial consultation to understand my needs and what I expected from his services. He was gracious throughout the whole process but made sure to guide me in a direction to best protect myself financially. Meeting my co...
"Michael is a wonderful corporate attorney, who is very personable and knowledgeable in his field. I trust Micheal and will continue to refer all of my family, friends and clients to his office knowing they will receive quality advise and service."
"Michael is a trusted corporate and transactional attorney who is well-prepared to handle a wide variety of transactions and entity formations for both small businesses and large corporations. I highly recommend Michael."
"Michael is a terrific lawyer, who understands the ins and outs of start-ups and established companies alike. He's also a friend and great guy."
Corporate and incorporation lawyer | Oct 26
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Mr. Leonard is a great resource for my clients needing assistance with business and corporate matters. I know that these clients will receive excellent advice and guidance from Mr. Leonard."
"Michael assisted a client of mine forming an LLC. His work was very professional and efficient. Highly recommend his services for these matters."
"I strongly endorse this lawyer. Michael is an incredibly knowledgeable and detailed attorney. I have sent many clients to him for business law matters, and have never been disappointed -- to the contrary, I have receive glowing reviews from referred clients. Highly recommended!"
"I've known Michael for years and he is the first person I refer business clients to for questions about business formation and incorporation."
"Michael stays current on the law which is important. He's also a hard worker and certainly fights for his clients. If you're looking for help with starting your business or help moving forward with it, Michael is a great choice."
"Michael is a trusted colleague. I have consulted and referred Michael on various business formation matters. Michael is engaging and responsive."
"I endorse Michael without hesitation. He is an excellent attorney, and I take great comfort in referring clients who need help with transactional matters, as I know he and his firm will take great care of them."
Corporate and incorporation lawyer | Jun 28
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Mike is an excellent corporate attorney who understands business very well, and uses his practical knowledge to bring efficient, top-notch legal services to his corporate clients. I recommend him highly and, as we work in similar areas, view him as a trusted resource on conflict of interest matters, or when his skill set would be the best particular fit."
"Mr. Leonard is highly experienced in all manners of transactional corporate and business law matters. I not only refer friends and clients to Mr. Leonard but also consult with him on my own cases when complex business or corporate issues arise."
Corporate and incorporation lawyer | Apr 15
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Michael J. Leonard is a true business lawyer. Not only does he know the ins and outs of business law, he is actually a skilled strategist in the field of growing and refining your business. As a business owner himself, Michael knows what to do to take your business to the next level and make sure that you are well informed along the way."
"I have recommended friends and clients to Mike because I know he will provide superior service for what they need and he is knowledgeable. I know he will not oversell any products/services that they do not need and they will be taken care of."
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2018
Rising Star, SuperLawyers
2018
Best of the Bar, San Diego Business Journal
2017
Rising Star, SuperLawyers
2017
Best of the Bar, San Diego Business Journal
2016
Rising Star, SuperLawyers
2016
Best of the Bar, San Diego Business Journal
2016
San Diego's Outstanding Young Lawyers, Top Attorneys
2015
Best of the Bar, San Diego Business Journal
2015
Rising Star, SuperLawyers
2015
Semi-Finalist Top Corporate Transactional Attorney, San Diego Daily Transcript
2013
Top Young Attorneys, San Diego Daily Transcript
2013
Semi-Finalist Top Corporate Transactional Attorney, San Diego Daily Transcript
2013
5th Anniversary, Martindale-Hubbell
2009 - Present
Attorney at Law; Founder, San Diego Corporate Law, A Professional Law Corporation
2015 - Present
San Diego County Bar Association Lawyer Referral ServiceMember
2012 - Present
San Diego County Bar AssociationMember
2012 - 2015
American Bar AssociationMember
2010 - 2017
SCORE San DiegoCounselor
2009 - 2013
La Jolla Golden Triangle Regional Chamber of CommerceBoard of Directors
2008
Juris Doctor
1998
BA - Bachelor of Arts
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English
Legal Answers
In corporate agreements/bylaws about share redemption and determining value, must there be a formula or can it be undetermined?
20 Apr 2016
In a California corporation, can a shareholder be "terminated" (shares unilaterally redeemed) by the corporation for misconduct?
14 Apr 2016