Attorneys and Staff at Hoge, Fenton, Jones & Appel Enjoy New Hacienda Home

By Nicole Zaro Stahl, Hacienda Network Staff Writer

"We Always Wanted to be Part of the Business Community Here in the Park," Notes Managing Shareholder

After eight years in a building nearby, the Pleasanton branch of Hoge, Fenton, Jones & Appel, the San Jose business law firm, moved into the park last month, taking over a 6,000 square foot suite on the third floor of Hacienda Terrace, at 4309 Hacienda Drive. The dozen employees based in the office - seven attorneys and a staff of five - are enjoying their new environment, which boasts floor-to-ceiling windows looking out onto Mount Diablo and the eastern foothills.

Beyond its beautiful views, the new location represents "more than just new digs," according to Hoge Fenton Managing Shareholder Steve Siner, who just happens to be resident in the Pleasanton office. "We always wanted to be part of the business community here in the park, and when the conditions were right we jumped at the opportunity. The quality and image of the new space is truly reflective of the quality of our law firm, and our neighbors are businesses we'd like to represent," Siner relates.

Established in 1952, Hoge Fenton has a long history in northern California, with a broad spectrum of practice areas in the business arena. "We identify ourselves as a full-service business and real estate law firm. We have 45 lawyers and pride ourselves on servicing a wide variety of business entities and individuals."

The Pleasanton practice closely parallels that of the larger office in San Jose. "I do a lot of estate planning and business work," says Siner. "The other attorneys here - Sblend Sblendorio, John Doyle, David Hofmann, Catosha Woods, Laura Dumas, Lorna Drope, and Raji Nagarkar - have expertise in litigation, business finance, work-outs for troubled companies, mergers and acquisitions, estate planning, and tax and IP transactions." Dumas, Drope, and Nagarkar divide their time between the two offices. "Our clients value our small-firm client service, mid-size firm creative billing solutions, and large-firm expertise and bench strength," Siner remarks.

Given the firm's long-time relationships with many of the region's leading businesses, Siner has an interesting perspective on the current economic climate. "I'm a realist. That means I am very cautious and probably the last person to put a positive spin on things," he comments. Still, there has been an undeniable uptick in business lately. "Clients who had been postponing discretionary legal work, like redoing a trust or making a small business acquisition, are now venturing out to do something they previously couldn't afford," he observes. He has also noticed a diminishing need to stretch out payment schedules. "The business cycle always has its ups and downs, but sometimes you have to look harder to find the silver lining. These are very significant signs to me, so I do see the dark clouds parting."

Along with a strong focus on client service, Hoge Fenton has an established tradition of civic engagement and community service. "All lawyers in the firm are encouraged to participate in pro bono legal work, and to be good corporate citizens," Siner points out. The firm supports a long list of Tri-Valley nonprofits and is looking forward to participating in Hacienda's community initiatives as well.

For more information, visit www.hogefenton.com or call (925) 224-7780.

Photo: Lynn A. Green and Steve Siner of Hoge, Fenton, Jones & Appel.

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