Free Consultation: (559) 570-3657Tap to Call This Lawyer
Cathleen Anne Cowin

Cathleen Anne Cowin

Business, Agri-Business, and Real Estate Attorney since 1991.
  • Business Law, Real Estate Law, Agricultural Law ...
  • California
Badges
Claimed Lawyer ProfileQ&A
Biography

I've been in practice since 1991 serving clients primarily in areas of business law, real estate, and agricultural law.

I love working with small business owners. On the transactional side of my practice, I enjoy helping them set up various entities (partnerships, LLCs, and corporations), analyze contracts/leases, avoid liability, and set up good business practices. On the litigation side, I've represented numerous clients dealing with business frauds and business relationships that have gone bad. I've also handled a number of business sales/purchases either in the form of stock purchases, LLC membership transfers, or asset purchases.

Part of the fun of representing business and agri-business clients is learning about their particular industry. I've gotten to know a bit about gas station representation, trucking companies, hotshot trucking, load brokering, auto dealer flooring, fuel transportation, commercial/residential solar, genetic seed manipulation, and beauty spas, just to name a few!

My husband's family has been involved with farming in the San Joaquin Valley for two generations (almonds, vineyards, citrus, and peaches). I've represented farmers in processor disputes (almonds/walnuts) and crop insurance disputes (peaches/almonds/prunes/pistachios) and have also drafted ag leases and water-sharing agreements. During the drought, I was involved in a large case involving chemical drift that decimated several large vineyards and orchards. I've also worked with issues concerning apiaries and agribusiness frauds.

In my personal life, I am a budding fiction novelist and a classically trained pianist. I currently play synthesizer (keyboards) for my local church where I enjoy developing custom sounds through my computer system.

~ Cathy

Education
California State University - Fresno
Undergraduate Degree
California State University - Fresno Logo
Santa Clara University School of Law
Law Degree
Santa Clara University School of Law Logo
Professional Experience
Attorney
Law Offices of Cathy Cowin
- Current
Publications
Articles & Publications
Peacemaking For Kids
AtoZ Teacher Stuff
Speaking Engagements
Psychological Aspects of Legal Negotiation
Guest Lecturer - California School of Professional Psychology
Certifications
Certified Mediator
Fresno Superior Court
Professional Associations
California State Bar  # 153424
Member
- Current
Placeholder image for professional associations.
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
California
State Bar of California
ID Number: 153424
Placeholder image for jurisdictions.
Fees
  • Free Consultation
    I provide a free phone consultation prior to making an appointment. This can range from 15 minutes to an hour with the purpose of determining if I'm the best attorney for your matter.
  • Credit Cards Accepted
Practice Areas
Business Law
Business Contracts, Business Dissolution, Business Finance, Business Formation, Business Litigation, Mergers & Acquisitions, Partnership & Shareholder Disputes
Real Estate Law
Commercial Real Estate, Condominiums, Easements, Eminent Domain, Homeowners Association, Land Use & Zoning, Mortgages, Neighbor Disputes, Residential Real Estate
Agricultural Law
Arbitration & Mediation
Business - Arbitration/Mediation
Additional Practice Area
  • Processor Claims and Crop Insurance Disputes
Languages
  • English
Legal Answers
Q. Is a verbal agreement enforceable in court? In real estate? When someone circumvents you on a transaction and purchase.
A: Verbal agreements are absolutely enforceable in general; however, you have less time to bring an action in court (i.e. the statute of limitations for oral agreements is 2 years in California) as opposed to written contracts (4 years in California). There are certain exceptions to this general rule regarding the enforceability of verbal agreements, and one of them concerns real property. Ownership of real estate is treated as special under the law because it is so important to our society that we have a clear means of understanding who owns real property. Now, having stated those general concepts, your question mentions a situation where someone tried to circumvent you on a transaction/purchase, potentially indicating fraud was involved. In complicated situations like that, it's a good idea to have an attorney provide a full legal analysis of the situation to determine if there is an avenue for recovery. It's also a good idea to have an attorney help you draft a written agreement any time you're entering into an important legal agreement. I sometimes call those agreements Relationship Insurance because it provides a clear roadmap if there is a disagreement down the road. ... Read More
View More Answers
Websites & Blogs
Website
Visit my website for more information!
Contact & Map
7600 North Ingram
Suite 102
Fresno, CA 93711
Telephone: (559) 570-3657
Monday: 9 AM - 6 PM
Tuesday: 9 AM - 6 PM
Wednesday: 9 AM - 6 PM
Thursday: 9 AM - 6 PM
Friday: 9 AM - 6 PM
Saturday: 9 AM - 6 PM (Today)
Sunday: Closed