Get in touch
-
Garden Alameda Building
1570 The Alameda, Suite 215
San Jose, California 95126 - (408) 294.3344
- g-shara@msn.com
- http://www.sharalaw.com/
Silicon Valley Attorney, Gary Shara is experienced in counseling all types of companies from start-ups to established businesses throughout the Bay Area. His extensive expertise of business law is a valuable asset to any company needing assistance from their entity and formation to legal issues from normal day-to-day operations.
In addition to his legal practice, Attorney Shara also aired a TV show the last 15 years. In between his busy legal practice, he teaches Business Law at California State University Monterey Bay.
We snuck in some time during Gary’s business schedule . . . here is a little more about this Silicon Valley business lawyer.
FF: How long have you been practicing law?
GS: 41 years
FF: What types of companies and industries do you specialize in?
GS: I am a business and corporate attorney working with privately held companies in the service, manufacturing, retail and high tech industries.
FF: What are some of the legal procedures you do?
GS: I assist clients with choice of entity issues, formation of business entities such as corporations, limited liability companies and partnerships, prepare business contracts, shareholder buy-sell agreements, and assist clients with purchases or sales of businesses and closing of businesses.
FF: Do you advise in tax matters?
GS: No, I do not hold myself out as an expert in tax matters.
FF: What kind of advice do you give to businesses to lessen the likelihood of litigation?
GS: Have clear, readable, understandable agreements. Think before you act. Hire solid people to work with you in your business and find good professionals to use as a sounding board and to render professional services when needed.
FF: What is the most popular form to operate a business?
GS: The most popular is either a corporation or limited liability company because of the protection afforded by law to the owners. However, the right choice of business entity should be made in consultation with your business attorney and tax advisor. One size does not fit all.
FF: Why would someone need a lawyer to set up a business entity?
GS: I think the role of the lawyer is to assist in making the right choice of entity to start with. Then to insure that the proper procedures are followed. Finally, to anticipate the client\'s future needs and discuss with the client.
FF: What made you start a TV show?
GS: I enjoy finding out why people do the wonderful things they do. What makes people tick. It is fascinating and I wanted to talk with people. I enjoy working in the communications medium whether TV or radio. My show \"Minding Your Business\" has been one of the longest running public access TV shows in San Jose, starting in 1996 with over 600 shows produced. The show now is on indefinite hiatus.
FF: How long has it been airing?
GS: From 1996 to February 2011
FF: I understand you also teach, tell us a little about that.
GS: I am an Adjunct Professor at California State University Monterey Bay. I teach Business Law to mainly sophomores and juniors in the School of Business since 1999. I was asked to develop and teach the first Bus. Law class offered by CSUMB and my experience has been so very rewarding. It is a great enjoyment to share a mutual learning environment with anywhere from 32 to 60 students a semester for 3 hours a week. I learn so much from my students and hope they learn a little from me. I think they do.
FF: What’s your favorite movie?
GS: Ghost
FF: If you weren’t doing your current job, what would you be doing?
GS: I would have tried professional baseball after SCU.
FF: When you were 10, what did you want to be when you grew up?
GS: I have been told by some people who know me that I may not have grown up yet. However, when I was ten, I think I only thought about playing baseball.
FF: If you were a superhero, what would your special powers be?
GS: I would love to be able to do the \"mindmeld\" that Spock did on Star Trek. That way I could really get into the minds of my clients and be sure that we have a meeting of the minds. LOL.
FF: Name three inventions you’re most grateful for.
GS: Hearing aids. My mother, God Bless her, is in great shape but is hearing challenged and I see how important it is for her to be able to converse with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, and to hear their voices.
FF: Are you good at keeping a secret?
GS: If I answered that question, I would have to kill you. LOL
FF: What’s the best piece of advice anyone’s given you?
GS: Give back
FF: If they made a movie of your life, who would play you?
GS: Ozzie Nelson
FF: Is there something else you would like to accomplish?
GS: Not sure, I am still working on all the other stuff.
FF: What is one thing you change about San Jose?
GS: Get more business downtown.
FF: What do you do in your spare time?
GS: Golf, handball and learn about the culinary arts from my wonderful fiancé.
FF: What’s your most embarrassing moment as an adult?
GS: Assuming I am an adult which in itself may assume facts not always in evidence, I am known to tell really stupid jokes which, of course, I think are hilarious but I find myself alone in that assessment. BTW, did you hear about my dog who drank gasoline by mistake and ran all the way down the block before keeling over? You may ask did he die? No, he just ran out of gas!!!!
FF: Where is your favorite vacation spot?
GS: Anyplace out of Dodge.
FF: Do you have a favorite quotation?
GS: Yes: \"Words into Action, Words into Action\"
FF: Whose’ your favorite TV or Movie star?
GS: Gregory Peck
FF: Do you have a hidden talent?
GS: Yes; I love to sing and dance. And those around me would love that it stays hidden.
FF: What’s your favorite Ice Cream?
GS: Vanilla
FF: Have you ever met anyone famous? Who?
GS: Ronnie Lott. A solid guy and he is the same person when the camera is not on that he is on camera.
FF: If you could have lunch with one famous person, who would it be?
GS: The Captain who landed his plane in the Hudson River. He seems like a regular guy who did something very extraordinary. My son is a Captain in the airline industry and has told me how difficult that maneuver was.
In addition to his legal practice, Attorney Shara also aired a TV show the last 15 years. In between his busy legal practice, he teaches Business Law at California State University Monterey Bay.
We snuck in some time during Gary’s business schedule . . . here is a little more about this Silicon Valley business lawyer.
FF: How long have you been practicing law?
GS: 41 years
FF: What types of companies and industries do you specialize in?
GS: I am a business and corporate attorney working with privately held companies in the service, manufacturing, retail and high tech industries.
FF: What are some of the legal procedures you do?
GS: I assist clients with choice of entity issues, formation of business entities such as corporations, limited liability companies and partnerships, prepare business contracts, shareholder buy-sell agreements, and assist clients with purchases or sales of businesses and closing of businesses.
FF: Do you advise in tax matters?
GS: No, I do not hold myself out as an expert in tax matters.
FF: What kind of advice do you give to businesses to lessen the likelihood of litigation?
GS: Have clear, readable, understandable agreements. Think before you act. Hire solid people to work with you in your business and find good professionals to use as a sounding board and to render professional services when needed.
FF: What is the most popular form to operate a business?
GS: The most popular is either a corporation or limited liability company because of the protection afforded by law to the owners. However, the right choice of business entity should be made in consultation with your business attorney and tax advisor. One size does not fit all.
FF: Why would someone need a lawyer to set up a business entity?
GS: I think the role of the lawyer is to assist in making the right choice of entity to start with. Then to insure that the proper procedures are followed. Finally, to anticipate the client\'s future needs and discuss with the client.
FF: What made you start a TV show?
GS: I enjoy finding out why people do the wonderful things they do. What makes people tick. It is fascinating and I wanted to talk with people. I enjoy working in the communications medium whether TV or radio. My show \"Minding Your Business\" has been one of the longest running public access TV shows in San Jose, starting in 1996 with over 600 shows produced. The show now is on indefinite hiatus.
FF: How long has it been airing?
GS: From 1996 to February 2011
FF: I understand you also teach, tell us a little about that.
GS: I am an Adjunct Professor at California State University Monterey Bay. I teach Business Law to mainly sophomores and juniors in the School of Business since 1999. I was asked to develop and teach the first Bus. Law class offered by CSUMB and my experience has been so very rewarding. It is a great enjoyment to share a mutual learning environment with anywhere from 32 to 60 students a semester for 3 hours a week. I learn so much from my students and hope they learn a little from me. I think they do.
FF: What’s your favorite movie?
GS: Ghost
FF: If you weren’t doing your current job, what would you be doing?
GS: I would have tried professional baseball after SCU.
FF: When you were 10, what did you want to be when you grew up?
GS: I have been told by some people who know me that I may not have grown up yet. However, when I was ten, I think I only thought about playing baseball.
FF: If you were a superhero, what would your special powers be?
GS: I would love to be able to do the \"mindmeld\" that Spock did on Star Trek. That way I could really get into the minds of my clients and be sure that we have a meeting of the minds. LOL.
FF: Name three inventions you’re most grateful for.
GS: Hearing aids. My mother, God Bless her, is in great shape but is hearing challenged and I see how important it is for her to be able to converse with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, and to hear their voices.
FF: Are you good at keeping a secret?
GS: If I answered that question, I would have to kill you. LOL
FF: What’s the best piece of advice anyone’s given you?
GS: Give back
FF: If they made a movie of your life, who would play you?
GS: Ozzie Nelson
FF: Is there something else you would like to accomplish?
GS: Not sure, I am still working on all the other stuff.
FF: What is one thing you change about San Jose?
GS: Get more business downtown.
FF: What do you do in your spare time?
GS: Golf, handball and learn about the culinary arts from my wonderful fiancé.
FF: What’s your most embarrassing moment as an adult?
GS: Assuming I am an adult which in itself may assume facts not always in evidence, I am known to tell really stupid jokes which, of course, I think are hilarious but I find myself alone in that assessment. BTW, did you hear about my dog who drank gasoline by mistake and ran all the way down the block before keeling over? You may ask did he die? No, he just ran out of gas!!!!
FF: Where is your favorite vacation spot?
GS: Anyplace out of Dodge.
FF: Do you have a favorite quotation?
GS: Yes: \"Words into Action, Words into Action\"
FF: Whose’ your favorite TV or Movie star?
GS: Gregory Peck
FF: Do you have a hidden talent?
GS: Yes; I love to sing and dance. And those around me would love that it stays hidden.
FF: What’s your favorite Ice Cream?
GS: Vanilla
FF: Have you ever met anyone famous? Who?
GS: Ronnie Lott. A solid guy and he is the same person when the camera is not on that he is on camera.
FF: If you could have lunch with one famous person, who would it be?
GS: The Captain who landed his plane in the Hudson River. He seems like a regular guy who did something very extraordinary. My son is a Captain in the airline industry and has told me how difficult that maneuver was.
