News

Michael Morris to Address Estate Planning in Times of Change at October 28th Workshop

Pismo Beach — Michael Morris, senior principal with the Andre, Morris & Buttery law firm of San Luis Obispo, will be a speaker at an estate planning workshop on Friday, Oct. 28, 2011, sponsored by Joe Brittingham, CFP® of Edward Jones Investments. Morris will be joined by CPA Eric Schwefler of Caliber Accounting Group to present a program titled "Estate Planning in Times of Change."

The no-charge event will take place at 8 a.m.–noon at the Dolphin Bay Resort located at 2727 Shell Beach Road in Pismo Beach. The workshop is open to the public but space is limited and advance registration is required. Lunch will follow the program and will be provided by Lido Restaurant.

Morris, who has more than 35 years of experience in real estate, business counseling and estate and trust matters, will be joined by Schwefler in discussing the effects of recent legislation increasing the estate and gift tax exemption to $5.0 million. The program will present strategies for dealing with the increased exemptions along with planning for a possible return to lower exemptions commencing in 2013. The seminar will help attendees understand the current status of the estate and gift tax law as well as plan for the potential changes which may occur in the future.

Event host Joe Brittingham can be reached via e-mail at Joe.Brittingham@edwardjones.com. Reservations are requested via phone call to Jennifer or Bryanna at Edward Jones in Pismo Beach, (805) 473–9200.

 Press Release

Andre, Morris & Buttery Closes Third Winery Sale Contract

San Luis Obispo, CA — Central Coast law firm Andre, Morris & Buttery has concluded its third recent wine industry transaction, logging a total of more than $100 million in sale contracts. Andre, Morris & Buttery principal and leader of the winery merger team, Michael Morris, represented Sonoma Valley winery Overlook Vineyards in the recent sale of Landmark Winery. The sale price was not disclosed.

Landmark is located in Kenwood in the heart of Sonoma County wine country, and includes production of 20,000 cases of wine per year, organically farmed estate vineyards, a tasting room and on site overnight guest accommodations. Landmark produces chardonnay, syrah, pinot noir and grenache and sells its wines throughout the United States and some foreign countries.

The sale of Landmark involved complex financial, real estate and regulatory issues unique to the wine industry. Morris notes that the sale of a winery involves multiple assets and presents its own set of challenges that are then magnified by government regulations unique to the industry. "Winery deals are some of the most complicated business transactions unfolding today," Morris said. He was joined by firm principals Bill Douglass and Melissa Babu along with associate Karen Fothergill in handling the transaction.

AMB's work representing Justin and Deborah Baldwin in the recent sale of JUSTIN Vineyards and Winery of Paso Robles has attracted the attention of the California wine industry. "More and more wine operations are reaching maturity and their owners are seeking sale opportunities," Morris said. "Our firm has developed a great reputation for representing this specialized area, and we are gratified to have the opportunity to represent parties in these transactions."

Andre, Morris & Buttery is a 62-year-old business law firm with offices in San Luis Obispo and Santa Maria. In addition to Landmark Vineyards and JUSTIN Vineyards and Winery, the firm also represented the seller of local Central Coast winery Domaine Alfred.

 Press Release

Yamaha Corporation USA Punished With $2.1 Million Jury Award

PASO ROBLES — A local jury has found Yamaha Corporation U.S.A. liable for fraudulent and malicious treatment of Powerhouse Motorsports, a former Paso Robles business. The trial in the California Superior Court for the County of San Luis Obispo resulted in an August 9th judgment against Yamaha. The jury found that Yamaha acted in violation of state law by interfering with Powerhouse's attempt to sell its dealership, and that it did so maliciously, fraudulently and oppressively, entitling Powerhouse to an award of punitive damages.

The judgment orders Yamaha to pay a total of over $2,100,000 for compensatory and punitive damages, interest, and attorney fees and costs.

The claim against Yamaha began in the summer of 2008. Powerhouse Motorsports was then the California Central Coast's largest motorcycle and ATV dealership, carrying product lines including Yamaha, Polaris, Suzuki and KTM. Powerhouse, a franchisee of Yamaha, struggled financially in 2008 and in June of that year made the decision to close the dealership's doors. While the business had ceased operations, the company retained value in inventory, lease and goodwill, and was able to immediately strike a deal with MDK Motorsports to take over the dealership.

Evidence presented at trial proved conclusively that while Yamaha indicated it would support the sale and help its franchisee make the transition, the motorsport giant in fact worked behind the scenes to stop the sale. The very day Yamaha pledged to support Powerhouse Motorsports' sale effort, Yamaha initiated a swift action to terminate its franchise with Powerhouse. Yamaha refused calls from the franchisee and ten days later caused the sale to be cancelled.

As a result, Powerhouse Motorsports failed, leaving behind an empty facility and former employees whose opportunity to be retained by the new company had been lost. The former Powerhouse facility remains vacant, and no Yamaha dealership has opened to replace Powerhouse. Yamaha owners must now travel out of the area for service and warranty work.

Yamaha's United States dealership network began in the late-1950's and grew rapidly over the years. Yamaha came to Paso Robles in the mid 1960's and operated without a gap in service for the 40+ years that ended with Powerhouse's exit in 2008. Yamaha's national dealer network has been on a significant decline since 2007.

Yamaha controls its dealerships through franchise agreements. Numerous California laws protect dealers against a manufacturer's misuse of its franchise agreements, and it was abuse of these laws that led to the jury decision. The jury supported Powerhouse Motorsports' contentions that Yamaha's actions were deliberate and intentional. California law allows juries to award punitive damages when there has been an intentional violation of the law that rises to the level of being malicious, fraudulent or oppressive. Punitive awards are used to punish wrongdoers and to force change.

Powerhouse was represented by Dennis D. Law and Collette A. Hillier of longtime Central Coast business law firm Andre, Morris & Buttery. Law, who manages the firm's Paso Robles office, said that his team was very pleased with the jury's award and especially gratified that Powerhouse had been vindicated. A Powerhouse spokesperson said that one of the company's primary goals in bringing the action was to send a message that Yamaha must abide by the law and cannot mistreat its franchise dealers. The jury sent a $2.1 million message to Yamaha in support of those principles.

Andre, Morris & Buttery has its roots in San Luis Obispo, where the firm was founded 62 years ago. Today the Central Coast's largest law firm has offices in Santa Maria and San Luis Obispo.

 Press Release

The 2011 Business Symposium Knocks it out of the Park

April 7, 2011

SAN LUIS OBISPO — The Central Coast Business Symposium held on Apr. 7, 2011 at the Clark Center featured a star lineup of speakers who discussed strategies for succcess in today's economy.

A podcast presentation of the program is available by clicking on icons below. Slower internet connections may require several minutes for the audio to download. Please be patient.

	Welcome Michael Morris, Andre, Morris & Buttery Podcast: MP3
	Special Introduction Dr. Jeffrey Armstrong, President, Cal Poly State University Podcast: MP3
	Yes, Everything Has Changed: Growing a Business in Today's Banking Environment Carrol Pruett, Chairman of the Board (retired), Mid-State Bancshares Podcast: MP3
	Technology 2012: Get Ahead of the Curve Blake Irving, Chief Product Officer, Yahoo! Podcast: MP3
	In the Black While Bleeding Blue Michael Young, Chief Revenue Officer, Los Angeles Dodgers Podcast: MP3
	Closing Remarks Michael Morris, Andre, Morris & Buttery Podcast: MP3

Andre, Morris & Buttery Tapped for JUSTIN Winery Sale

PASO ROBLES, CA — Central Coast law firm Andre, Morris & Buttery was retained by Justin and Deborah Baldwin to represent them in the merger of their privately held JUSTIN Vineyards and Winery of Paso Robles into a new company owned by Los Angeles businessman Stewart Resnick. The prestigious JUSTIN label sold for an undisclosed amount to the owner of Fiji Water, Teleflora, POM Wonderful and Paramount Citrus among and other companies. The sale included vineyards, an on-site bed and breakfast inn and winery operations for the high-profile winery whose offerings included the elite Isosceles label. JUSTIN Winery is the flagship of the so-called “Far Out Wineries” of western Paso Robles' burgeoning wine country.

According to Michael Morris, Andre, Morris & Buttery principal and leader of the merger team, the sale involved complex financial, real estate and regulatory issues unique to the wine industry. Morris was joined by firm principals Beth Marino and Melissa McGann Babu in executing a local industry record-setting merger agreement on behalf of the Baldwins, longtime clients of the firm. “It was a great pleasure to work with the Baldwins in the sale of their award-winning winery. Justin and Debby have been leaders in the Central Coast wine industry and we were privileged to have the opportunity to guide them through the legal process that transferred the JUSTIN success to the Resnick’s family of businesses,” Morris said.

Justin Baldwin commented on the confidence he and his wife, Deborah, have in Andre, Morris & Buttery. “We are fortunate to have a law firm here on the Central Coast with the expertise and experience to negotiate an agreement of this magnitude,” Justin Baldwin said. “Michael and his team were nothing short of extraordinary.”

This transaction marks the second significant wine deal on the Central Coast in the last two years. The same Andre, Morris & Buttery legal team represented Terry Speizer, as seller in the sale of the Domaine Alfred Winery, to Crimson Wine Group, a subsidiary of Leucadia National Corporation, in late 2008. Now operating as Chamisal Vineyards, Domaine Alfred has been a major producer of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines in the Edna Valley.

Andre, Morris & Buttery is a 62-year-old business law firm with offices in San Luis Obispo, and Santa Maria. For more information, visit www.amblaw.com.

Todd Mirolla to Speak at Health Care Reform Seminar

SAN LUIS OBISPO — Todd Mirolla, attorney and partner with the Andre, Morris & Buttery law firm of San Luis Obispo will be a featured speaker at a seminar on health care reform Thursday, Nov. 18. Mirolla will join Eric Schwefler, CPA and partner for Caliber Accounting and Dave Morgan, broker and Principal for Morris & Garritano to review two aspects of health care reform: how the reform plan will affect groups or companies with common owners, and changes to non-discrimination requirements in the context of health care reform.

The no-charge event will take place at 8:30–10:30 a.m. at the offices of Morris & Garritano, 1122 Laurel Lane in San Luis Obispo. The seminar is open to the public, but space is limited and advance registration is required. Presentations will be followed by a panel discussion by Andre, Morris & Buttery attorney and partner Melissa McGann Babu and Morris & Garritano brokers Paul Hoover, Laura Murphy and Ben Hoover.

Mirolla has more than 24 years of business experience representing health care entities with mergers, acquisitions and compliance and more than 300 start-up entities in all aspects of business planning, entity formation, financing and business counseling. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Founders Community Bank, The Mission Memorial Foundation and The San Damiano Foundation.

Reservations are requested via phone call or e-mail to Louise Matheny in San Luis Obispo, (805) 543–6887 ext. 365 or imatheny@morrisgarritano.com.

Health Care Reform Seminar Todd Mirolla    Event Flier

Andre, Morris & Buttery and Morris & Garritano Offer Employment Seminar

San Luis Obispo - Andre, Morris & Buttery attorneys and employment law specialists Collette Hiller and Kathy Eppright were featured speakers at a recent Central Coast business leaders’ seminar. The daylong event focused on HR management for companies and organizations of all sizes and was hosted by AMB and Morris & Garritano Insurance. The PowerPoint presentations used by Ms. Hillier and Ms. Eppright are available in PDF format via the attachments below. Further information is available by contacting Kathy Eppright at keprright@amblaw.com or Collette Hillier at chillier@amblaw.com; For complete event pre-release click here.

	HR Basics: The Life of an Employee Collette Hillier    HR Basics: The Life of an Employee
	HR Basics: The Life of an Employee Part 2 Kathy Eppright    HR Basics: The Life of an Employee  Part 2: The Daily Grind

Michael Morris Offers Presentation on Estate Tax Repeal

San Luis Obispo – Michael Morris, principal with Andre, Morris & Buttery, was invited by financial advisor Joe Brittingham to speak at a recent seminar on financial planning. Mr. Morris’ PowerPoint presentation, “Estate Tax Repeal and its Effect on Basic Estate Planning” is offered in PDF format via the link below. Additional information is available by contacting Mr. Morris via mmorris@amblaw.com.

Estate Tax Repeal Michael Morris    Event Press Release  Presentation Powerpoint

“Troubled Employees” Seminar
Planned for Paso Robles

October 12, 2009

Paso Robles, CA  – Andre Morris and Buttery, Central Coast Employee Assistance and Counseling Services and the Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce are teaming up to assist employers struggling to manage troubled employees.  “Troubled Employees in Troubled Times” is a seminar slated for Friday, November 13th at the Hampton Inn in Paso Robles.  The event will run from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

 Event Press Release

 Event Flier

Morris Back for Return Engagement
on Estate Planning

August 20, 2009

Joe Brittingham, CFP®, of Edward Jones’ Pismo Beach office has invited AMB principal Michael Morris to speak on "The Basics of Estate Planning" at a Sept. 2 workshop. The event, slated for noon to 2:30 p.m., is offered in response to a similar program held earlier this summer.

 Event Press Release

Buttery Selected for Prestigious Board

June 24, 2009

James Buttery Selected for Prestigious National Trial Lawyers Board

SAN LUIS OBISPO - Longtime local attorney James Buttery has been inducted into the prestigious American Board of Trial Lawyers (ABOTA), an influential national organization whose membership is limited to trial attorneys who meet certain high levels of achievement.

Event Press Release

Partner to Address Area Business People

Michael Morris To Address Estate Planning Issues

Michael Morris, senior principal with the Andre, Morris & Buttery law form will join a panel of business leaders June 19, 2009 for the Summer Professional Education Series sponsord by Joe Brittingham, CFP® of Edward Jones Investments.

Event Press Release

Andre, Morris & Buttery to host Central Coast Business Symposium

Andre, Morris & Buttery will celebrate 60 years on the Central Coast in January with a landmark symposium featuring some of the brightest minds in business today.

Keynote speaker will be American entrepreneur Bob Stapleton, owner of Team Columbia, the top-ranked cycling team in the world.

Stapleton is a founder of Voice Stream Wireless, which was purchased by T-Mobile parent company, Deutsche Telekom. Stapleton is a cycling enthusiast who used his business acumen to build the world's best professional cycling team, while leading the charge against doping in the sport. A panel of experts gathered specifically for the milestone event will join Stapleton as speakers address a range of critical issues facing business in the coming year. Topics will include:

• Life After An Historic National Election
• Managing Investments in a ew Era
• The Employment Law Class Every Business Should Take
• Protecting Your Business from Internal Theft

The community is invited to the anniversary event, set for 3-7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 26, at the Clark Center in Arroyo Grande. Seating is limited. Tickets are $50 and will be available through the Clark Center beginning Dec. 15. Proceeds will benefit the California Central Coast Research Partnership (C3RP). Additional information is available at www.amblaw.com.

Event host Andre, Morris & Buttery is the oldest continuously operated law firm in San Luis Obispo, started by SLO natives George and Peter Andre as Andre & Andre in 1948 at 1130 Garden Street. The firm has added locations and partners over the years, but its deep roots remain firmly planted in the community.

Andre, Morris & Buttery provides expertise in civil litigation, business and real estate transactions, employment law, environmental and land use, and estate planning, trusts and probate. It has offices in San Luis Obispo and Santa Maria.

J. Todd Mirolla Celebrates 25 Years

Celebrating 25 years with Andre, Morris and Buttery, J. Todd Mirolla has deep roots in San Luis Obispo. He serves on the board of directors for Founders Community Bank, Mission Memorial Foundation and San Damiano Foundation. He has also shared his knowledge and experience with future barristers as an adjunct professor of business law at Cal Poly.

New President at the Santa Maria YMCA

Kevin Morris was recently named president of the Board of Directors of the Santa Maria Valley YMCA. The Santa Maria Valley YMCA serves over 5,000 members, provides childcare for 300 children, and teaches 1,200 children and adults to swim every year.

Andre, Morris & Buttery Volunteers in Our Community

Michael Morris Connects With The Community

Contributions to San Luis Obispo over the years have earned Michael Morris numerous awards, including Citizen of the Year honors in 2004. His most recent success was heading up fundraising efforts for the $2.4 million seismic retrofit of historic Mission San Luis Obispo, founded in 1772. Michael has also served on the San Luis Coastal School Board and the Foundation for the Performing Arts Center Board, and he has served on numerous other community based boards and commissions.

Jim Buttery: A Valued Volunteer

Jim Buttery volunteers his time with several projects in the Santa Maria region, including the Santa Maria Valley Discovery Center Board of Directors and the Santa Maria Valley Economic Development Board. He is also a member of the Santa Barbara County Superior Court ADR Committee. He has served as legal counsel for the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce and as a director of the Private Industry Council. Jim also taught business law as an adjunct professor at Cal Poly.

Youth Well-Served by Kevin Morris

The Pacific Coast Business Times named Kevin Morris to the 40 Under Forty list for 2002. It's an honor well-deserved, not only for his legal skills but for his dedication to local YMCAs. Currently, Kevin serves on the Board of Directors of the Santa Maria Valley YMCA. And, from 1992- 2002, he was a board member for the San Luis Obispo County YMCA Board of Directors from 1999-2002.

Mike Gibson: Proud To Serve The Santa Maria Valley

Community service is second nature for Michael Gibson. He's well-known throughout the Santa Maria Valley for his volunteer activities, including the Santa Maria Breakfast Rotary Club, Hancock College Foundation, Santa Maria YMCA, Boys and Girls Club, Orcutt Children's Arts Foundation, and Domestic Violence Solutions of Santa Barbara County. He served as a trustee for the Orcutt School District and established the Mid-State Bank Foundation.