Brown & Charbonneau, LLP

Business disputes and contract work

The firm's Irvine base supports a business practice with a broad dispute focus. Brown & Charbonneau, LLP handles business and corporate litigation, fraud claims, breach of fiduciary duty, and breach of contract. The listed work also covers interference with contract, unfair competition, and disputes over trade secrets. Contracts and agreements form another part of the practice.

Business litigation often begins with a close review of written agreements, company records, correspondence, and financial material. The parties may then exchange pleadings and evidence through the court process. The terms of a contract can shape the available claims, defenses, and remedies. Fraud and fiduciary duty claims may require a separate look at representations, authority, reliance, and the relationship between the parties.

Shareholder and partnership conflicts

The firm lists shareholder disputes, shareholder derivative actions, partnership disputes, and partnership dissolutions. These matters can involve control of a company, access to records, distributions, ownership rights, or the terms of a governing agreement. A derivative action generally allows a shareholder to pursue a company claim under rules that differ from a direct claim for personal harm.

Partnership disputes often turn on the partnership agreement and the parties' course of conduct. Accounting records and ownership documents may also affect the case. A dissolution can require decisions about obligations, property, management, and the winding up of business affairs. The exact process depends on the business form and the governing documents.

Competition claims and urgent court requests

Non-compete matters appear among the firm's listed services. The same list covers unfair competition and trade secret disputes. These cases may involve employment terms, business records, confidential material, or limits placed on commercial conduct. Courts examine the wording of the agreements and the law that applies to the relationship.

The firm also handles injunctions and temporary restraining orders. Such requests ask a court to address conduct before a full trial can occur. Judges commonly consider the claimed legal right, the risk of harm, the available evidence, and the effect of an interim order. These proceedings can move quickly and often require focused written support.

Divorce, custody, and family support

Brown & Charbonneau, LLP handles divorce as part of its family law work. Divorce proceedings may require decisions about property, debt, support, and parenting issues when children are involved. Courts may issue temporary orders while the case remains pending. A final judgment then records the terms set by agreement or judicial decision.

The family practice covers child custody and paternity matters. Paternity can establish the legal parent relationship that supports later decisions about custody and child support. Custody cases commonly address legal decision-making and the schedule for a child's care. Courts base those orders on the governing legal standard and the facts presented by each parent.

Support, modifications, and domestic abuse matters

The firm lists spousal support and child support among its services. Support issues often require income records, expense information, tax documents, and facts about family needs. Courts may apply statutory calculations in child support matters. Spousal support can involve a wider set of factors tied to the marriage and the parties' circumstances.

Modification work is also part of the family practice. A party seeking a change usually asks the court to revise an existing order based on later circumstances. The request may concern support, custody, or another continuing family order. The prior order and evidence of the asserted change guide the court's review.

Domestic abuse matters can place safety and family orders before the same court. A judge may consider sworn statements, records, witness accounts, and other evidence tied to the request. The firm also offers limited scope representation. Under that arrangement, a lawyer handles defined parts of a matter while the client remains responsible for the other tasks.

Civil claims, property, and employment disputes

The civil litigation list covers personal injury, elder abuse, harassment, libel, and slander. Each type of claim calls for its own evidence and legal elements. Personal injury cases often examine fault, medical records, and the claimed effect of an injury. Libel and slander matters focus on the statement, its publication, its context, and the harm claimed.

Elder abuse claims may involve financial conduct, care, neglect, or other treatment covered by the governing law. Harassment disputes can arise in different settings and may call for records of communications or repeated conduct. In any civil case, the complaint and response define the initial issues. Discovery then allows the parties to request documents, obtain testimony, and test the factual positions.

Real estate, construction, and workplace matters

Real estate and construction disputes form another part of the firm's work. Such cases may concern a purchase agreement, ownership terms, payment, performance, defects, or work under a construction contract. Deeds, plans, invoices, inspection material, and written communications can carry much of the factual record. The controlling contract often determines notice duties and available remedies.

The firm also lists employment disputes and wrongful termination. These matters may turn on employment records, workplace policies, communications, and the stated reason for an employment decision. Defamation appears as a further area of work. The practice list also includes disputes tied to the purchase and sale of businesses.

Settlement, mediation, trial, and counsel services

The site describes case resolution through negotiated settlements, mediation, and trial. Negotiation allows the parties and their lawyers to discuss terms directly. Mediation uses a neutral person to guide those discussions while the parties retain control over any agreement. Trial places disputed factual and legal questions before a judge or jury under court rules.

The firm offers mediation as a separate service area. Mediation can address the legal issues, practical concerns, timing, and possible settlement terms in a private process. If the parties reach agreement, written terms can record the resolution. If they do not agree, the underlying matter may continue through its existing process.

General counsel services also appear on the practice list. This work commonly includes review of agreements, advice about business decisions, and attention to disputes before or after a lawsuit begins. The site states that the attorneys hold trial certification. In my opinion, the mix of advisory work and dispute services gives prospective clients a clear account of the matters the firm accepts.

The named attorneys and California reach

The site names four attorneys: Gregory G. Brown, Michele M. Charbonneau, Mark M. Higuchi, and Monica Sandhu. It identifies Gregory G. Brown as the founding partner. The other three lawyers appear by name on the attorneys page and in the site's navigation.

A four-attorney roster gives visitors a direct view of the lawyers associated with the firm. The listed practice areas cross business, family, civil, property, and employment concerns. Some disputes can touch more than one of those fields. A business breakup, for example, may involve contracts, ownership claims, financial records, and requests for court orders.

Brown & Charbonneau, LLP represents clients throughout California. The site specifically identifies Orange County, Los Angeles County, San Diego County, and the Inland Empire among its service areas.