Michael S. Fauver

(805) 966-7499

Practice Areas

Michael S. Fauver

Partner

Michael Fauver is a founding partner of Fauver, Large, Archbald & Spray, specializing in all aspects of business, corporate and employment law. Mr. Fauver has a passion for working with early stage entities, advising them on all phases of startup and operations through successful exits, including mergers and acquisitions. He has advised many clients on corporate financing, including debt and equity financing, private financing, and private placement memorandums. In addition, Mr. Fauver has extensive background in representing clients in employment matters, including harassment, discrimination, wage and hour laws, hiring and termination issues and employment contracts. Mr. Fauver has a strong interest in the alcoholic beverage industry, representing clients (craft brewers, retailers and restaurants) in all phases of industry regulation, including trade practice, distribution, retail licensing and production as well as the formation and financing of these entities. His litigation background allows him to strategize with his clients and negotiate for them in all phases of representation.

Professional Experience

Serve as outside General Counsel to California businesses and their boards of directors, from high growth startups to established companies with national and international operations.
Advise founders of closely held companies from formation through growth, financings, and successful exits, including mergers and sales.
Counsel boards of directors and C-suite executives on corporate governance, fiduciary duties, conflicts of interest, and “special situation” transactions.
Advise on tax-efficient corporate restructurings, spin-offs, and separations, including transactions involving significant real estate holdings.
Negotiate and structure leveraged buyouts for internet and technology companies.
Design and implement complex business and real estate transactions with significant tax considerations throughout the United States and internationally.
Lead multimillion-dollar leveraged buyout of real estate investment firm on behalf of a real estate developer.
Successfully represented management of a major national retail chain in a sexual harassment dispute.
Successfully defended numerous claims before the California Labor Commissioner and the California Employment Development Department.
Successfully represented a global apparel manufacturer in a wrongful termination action.

Professional Associations

American Bar Association
Santa Barbara County Bar Association
California State Bar, Employment & Business Law

Education

University of Southern California Law School, J.D.
University of California, Santa Barbara; Honors and Distinction in Double Major.

Community Involvement

Santa Barbara Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors
SB Chamber Government Relations Council, Past Chair
California Craft Brewers Association, Allied Trade Member
MIT Enterprise Forum of the Central Coast, Board of Directors
CPA/Law Society of Santa Barbara County, Board of Directors, Past President/Co-Founder
Elings Park Foundation, Board of Directors, Past President
Santa Barbara Foundation, Katherine Harvey Fellows Program (Class of 2008-2009)