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About Cecilia
Cecilia received her Juris Doctorate from American University Washington College of Law in Washington, DC and did her undergraduate studies at Boston University with concentration in finance.  Cecilia began her career practicing law with one of the fastest growing firms in northern Virginia, working primarily with small and start-up businesses as well as real estate developer clients.  She subsequently relocated to San Diego and joined another law firm in downtown San Diego working with business clients ranging from small to Fortune 500 large corporations.  

Cecilia then decided to open her own practice and devote her career in helping clients with forming and operating their businesses successfully, with a focus on risk minimization and strategic planning.  Her practice areas include corporate, commercial real estate and estate planning.   Learn more about Cecilia, please visit www.cclegalgroup.com  

Specialties
Cecilia Chen specializes in assisting clients with entity formation, purchase and sale of business entities and assets, risk minimization planning, and drafting and negotiating of contracts. Ms. Chen helps clients navigate the California corporate statutes, as well as assisting with mergers, acquisitions and dissolution of different business entities.

Ms. Chen also has an extensive background in the real estate area, having represented lenders and borrowers in commercial real estate financing transactions, as well as developer clients in the purchase and sale, leasing, development and joint ventures. In addition, Ms. Chen has created homeowner associations on behalf of clients and drafted documents involving easements, covenants, conditions and restrictions.

Ms. Chen is devoted to providing exceptional legal services tailored to the individual needs of each client, with a priority on accessibility, responsiveness, practical solutions and cost-effective fee structure.

Cecilia's Message
When you go into business for yourself, you are usually personally liable for all judgments and debts that the business incurs. This includes business loans, taxes, money owed to suppliers and landlords, and any judgments against the business as a result of a lawsuit. If you don’t protect yourself, a creditor can go after your personal assets, such as your car and your house, to pay for these debts.

While you can protect yourself against lawsuits by buying business liability insurance, this won’t help you with business debts. Consider forming a corporation or limited liability company (LLC). Just one person can form either of these types of businesses.
 

Cecilia began using the services of the WBCC for support as a new entrepreneur when she decided to transform her successful career as an attorney into her own business.  Anxious to give back to others, and now understanding the trials and tribulations of an entrepreneur first-hand, Cecilia is available to WBCC clients upon the recommendation of the WBCC Director, for free advising on various issues related to starting a small business.

Cecilia has a long history in assisting small businesses.  Her motivation as an entrepreneur, experience, and  friendly demeanor make her a natural fit as a WBCC Specialty Advisor and benefit to the San Diego small business community.