Ten Long Beach firms that draft, review, and fight over commercial contracts - plus what California's ban on non-competes means for you, real fee ranges, and how to choose.
Updated November 08, 202511 min readEditorially independent
A contract is only as good as the day you have to enforce it, and that is usually the day you wish you had paid a lawyer to read it first. For a Long Beach business, the contracts that matter - your customer agreements, vendor and supplier terms, leases, partnership and operating agreements, and employment documents - are where money is made and lost. A clean agreement that says exactly what happens when something goes wrong is cheap insurance; a vague one drafted off a template is a lawsuit waiting for a trigger.
California adds wrinkles that trip up businesses from out of state. Non-compete clauses are generally unenforceable here under Business and Professions Code 16600, so a contract built around one is built on sand. Written contract claims carry a four-year statute of limitations and oral ones just two, which shapes both how you draft and how fast you move when a deal breaks. The firms below split into two useful camps: transactional lawyers who draft and negotiate to keep you out of court, and litigators who enforce or defend a contract once a dispute is real.
We built this list from peer-reviewed directories and business-law sources - Super Lawyers, Justia, Martindale-Hubbell, Avvo, FindLaw, and UpCounsel - and confirmed each firm has a real Long Beach commercial contracts practice. Decide first whether you need drafting or a dispute resolved, then talk to two or three. Weigh responsiveness and clear pricing as heavily as the firm's name.
How we picked these 8: We cross-referenced peer rankings and directories (Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, Justia, Expertise.com, FindLaw) and each firm's own published practice pages. Every firm below appeared in at least two independent sources and has a verifiable Long Beach-area contracts practice. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
1
Keesal, Young & Logan
Long Beach firm since 1970Corporate & commercialDrafting and disputes
Practice focus: Commercial contracts, corporate transactions, and litigation
Founded in Long Beach in 1970, Keesal, Young & Logan handles commercial contracts and corporate transactions and can litigate a contract dispute through trial when negotiation fails.
Why they made the list: The pick when a contract matters enough that you want a firm able to both paper the deal and fight over it if it breaks.
Practice focus: Contract drafting, review, opinions, and negotiation
Founding attorney H. Michael Soroy holds both an MBA and a law degree, and the firm advises Southern California businesses on drafting, reviewing, and negotiating commercial agreements.
Why they made the list: A strong transactional choice when you want a contracts-focused lawyer with a business background to get the deal terms right.
Fee structure
Flat fee for standard agreements; hourly otherwise
Business lawContract drafting & disputesLong Beach office
Practice focus: Business contracts, drafting, and business disputes
Located in Long Beach and serving Los Angeles and Orange counties, Bergkvist, Bergkvist & Carter drafts business contracts and represents clients in contract and other business disputes.
Why they made the list: A solid full-service option for a business that wants one firm for both its contracts and any dispute that follows.
Practice focus: Commercial contract disputes and business litigation
Callahan & Blaine is a litigation firm whose senior attorneys have secured many seven- and eight-figure verdicts and settlements, resolving complex business and contract disputes.
Why they made the list: The pick when a contract dispute is already serious and headed for litigation rather than a quiet redraft.
Tell us whether you need a contract drafted, reviewed, or enforced and we'll connect you with a Long Beach business contracts attorney who fits the job.
How to choose between them in Long Beach
Decide first: drafting or a dispute. A transactional lawyer keeps you out of court by writing clear agreements; a litigator enforces or defends one. Some firms do both, but lead with what you actually need so you get the right desk.
Know that California voids most non-competes. Under Business and Professions Code 16600, non-compete clauses are generally unenforceable in California. A lawyer who still builds your contracts around one is a lawyer to avoid.
Move fast on a breach. Written contract claims have a four-year limit in California and oral ones just two. If a deal has broken, do not sit on it - the clock affects your leverage and your options.
Ask for flat fees on standard agreements. Routine customer, vendor, and service agreements are often quotable as a flat fee. Reserve hourly billing for negotiations and disputes where the scope is genuinely open.
Have your key contracts reviewed before you sign, not after. The cheapest time to fix a one-sided indemnity or a runaway auto-renewal is before signature. A short review now is far cheaper than a dispute later.
What contracts help typically costs in Long Beach
Contract work in Long Beach is priced two ways - flat fees for predictable drafting and hourly for negotiation and disputes. Rough ranges:
Contract review: Often $500 to $2,000 flat to review and mark up a standard commercial agreement, depending on length and stakes.
Drafting a standard agreement: Commonly $1,000 to $3,500 flat for a tailored customer, vendor, or service contract.
Hourly rate: Business contract attorneys in the Long Beach area typically bill $300 to $600/hour for negotiation and non-standard work.
Contract dispute / litigation: Usually hourly or on a retainer; a contested breach can run from several thousand dollars to well into five figures depending on complexity.
The math on contracts is simple: a few hundred dollars of review up front routinely prevents a dispute that costs tens of thousands to litigate. For agreements you sign repeatedly, paying once for a solid template you reuse is the best value of all.
How long it takes
How long contract work takes depends on whether you are drafting or disputing:
Contract review: Often a few business days to mark up and advise on a standard agreement.
Drafting a new agreement: Typically one to three weeks for a tailored contract, longer if both sides are negotiating terms.
Negotiation: Highly variable - a simple deal closes in days, a complex one takes weeks of back-and-forth.
Dispute resolution: Demand letters and settlement can resolve in weeks; litigation over a breach can run a year or more.
Red flags to watch for when hiring a contracts lawyer in Long Beach
Guaranteed outcomes. No ethical attorney can promise a specific result. If a firm guarantees a win, a number, or a court ruling, walk away.
The disappearing senior partner. You meet a named partner at intake, then never hear from them again while an unsupervised junior runs the file. Ask in writing who handles your matter day to day.
Pressure to sign on the spot. Reputable firms give you the engagement letter in writing and time to read it. High-pressure intake is a volume-mill signal.
No verifiable track record. Look for named results, peer rankings, board certifications, or bar recognition — not "we have helped thousands of clients."
Vague fees. Every legitimate firm will put the fee structure, what is covered, and what triggers extra charges in a written engagement letter.
10 questions to ask in your free consultation
Most of the firms on this list offer a free or low-cost initial call. Use it. Bring a written list and write down the answers, then compare across two or three firms before you sign anything.
Who, specifically, will handle my matter day to day? Get a name and a direct email, not just the firm.
How many matters like mine have you handled in the last three years? You want a number, not a brochure line.
What is your fee, and what does it cover? Get the structure in writing before you sign.
What out-of-pocket costs am I responsible for, and when? Filing fees, records, and experts add up - ask now.
What is the realistic range of outcomes? A good lawyer gives a range; a weak one promises the high end.
How long will this take? An honest estimate, with the assumptions stated.
What is my deadline, and is it at risk? Many contracts matters carry hard filing deadlines.
How often will I hear from you? Set the communication cadence now.
What can I do to help my own case? The best lawyers will give you homework.
What is the worst-case outcome? A lawyer who refuses to discuss downside risk is selling you something.
What to bring to your Long Beach consultation
You will get more out of the first call if you arrive organized. For most contracts matters, gather:
A short written timeline. Dates, names, and what happened, in order.
The key documents. Any contracts, letters, agreements, court orders, or filings you have received.
Your correspondence. Relevant emails, texts, or messages - and do not delete anything.
Any deadlines you know about. A court date, a signing deadline, or an agency notice.
Your questions. The 10 above are a good place to start.
If you are not sure whether something is relevant, bring it anyway. It is easier for a lawyer to set aside what does not matter than to chase down what you left at home.
Talk to a vetted Contracts attorney in Long Beach
Tell us about your situation. We'll match you with one of these firms or a similar one. Free, confidential, no obligation.
Frequently asked questions about contracts lawyers in Long Beach
Are non-compete agreements enforceable in California?
Generally no. Under Business and Professions Code 16600, most non-compete clauses are void in California. Trade-secret and certain narrow protections still apply, but a contract relying on a broad non-compete is unenforceable.
What does a contract lawyer cost in Long Beach?
Reviews often run $500 to $2,000 flat and tailored drafting $1,000 to $3,500. Negotiation and disputes are usually hourly at roughly $300 to $600/hour.
Should I have a lawyer review a contract before signing?
Yes, especially for anything with meaningful money, indemnity, auto-renewal, or termination terms. A short pre-signature review is far cheaper than untangling a bad deal later.
How long do I have to sue for breach of contract in California?
Four years for a written contract and two years for an oral one, generally measured from the breach. Waiting can weaken your position, so act promptly.
Can a lawyer create reusable templates for my business?
Yes. If you sign similar agreements repeatedly, paying once for a solid customer, vendor, or service template you reuse is usually the best value.
What is the difference between a transactional and a litigation contract lawyer?
A transactional lawyer drafts and negotiates to prevent disputes; a litigator enforces or defends a contract once a dispute exists. Match the firm to whether you need a deal done or a problem solved.
Do I need a written contract, or is a handshake enough?
Some oral contracts are enforceable, but they are hard to prove and carry a shorter limitations period. For anything that matters, get it in writing - it is the difference between a clear remedy and a he-said dispute.
What should a good business contract include?
Clear scope, payment terms, what counts as a breach, how disputes are resolved, termination rights, and limits on liability. A lawyer makes sure these fit your business rather than a generic template.
One last thing. Choosing a lawyer is personal. Read the reviews. Call two or three firms before you sign. Ask each one: How many matters like mine have you handled in the last three years? The answer tells you a lot. — The LawFirmSquare team
LawFirmSquare is a directory. We do not represent clients or refer cases for a fee.
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