As Your Counsel

Our founder, Sunny Kakwani, is featured in this month’s Oregon State Bar Bulletin, reflecting on what the Declaration of Independence means as America marks its 250th anniversary. From citizenship to founding As Your Counsel on the principle of educate to empower, his reflection is a reminder that knowing your rights isn’t just legal — it’s civic. “The Declaration of Independence is a daily obligation — to educate, to include, and to ensure its promise reaches everyone.” Read full feature: https://lnkd.in/gV7cytiG Happy 250th, America 🇺🇸 Wishing everyone a safe and joyful Fourth of July. #AYCPDX #educate #empower

As the school year winds down, we’re reflecting on another year of civic engagement and community service. For 6 years, AYC has been involved with We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution at McDaniel High School — and this year was one to remember. This year's highlights: Advanced to the State Finals McDaniel finished 5th in Oregon — top 25% and the furthest in school history Students were featured in the Oregonian for their knowledge of the Constitution AYC educates to empower. That's true for our clients, and it's true for the students we coach. Through this program, our attorneys became better leaders, mentors, and community advocates. A true win-win. Proud to support Portland's next generation of civic leaders. #AYCPDX #WeThePeople #CommunityDevelopment #LegalEmpowerment

Grateful for the opportunity to support the next generation of business advocates. Welcome, Nikhita!

Getting contacted about a debt? Before you pay — or panic — read this. Debt collectors are legally required to send you a written notice within 5 days of first contact. That notice must include the amount owed, the original creditor, and your right to dispute. You have 30 days to challenge it in writing. Once you do, collection activity must stop until they verify the debt. And even when a debt is valid, negotiation is often an option. Many collectors will accept a lump-sum settlement or payment plan — especially when they purchased the debt for far less than the original balance. Knowledge is leverage. As Your Counsel, we help you use it. #AYCPDX #DebtCollection #WageGarnishment #ConsumerProtection #LegalAdvocacy https://lnkd.in/g4euNvpg

2025 was a year of growth for As Your Counsel and the clients we serve. We supported entrepreneurs forming LLCs with proper ownership structures, entering commercial leases with favorable terms, implementing buy-sell agreements that prevent deadlock, and executing exits through asset sales and IP licensing. We've also implemented estate plans ranging from basic wills, advance directives, and powers of attorney to sophisticated structures like lifetime protection trusts and A/B credit shelter trusts for tax optimization. We also handled over 500 consumer protection matters that revealed important patterns about documentation, timing, and knowing your rights. We're reminded that preventive proactive planning—reviewing contracts before signing, structuring entities correctly from day one, implementing estate plans before they're needed—saves exponentially more than reactive legal work. This post connects our client work to broader Oregon legislative changes taking effect in 2026 and explores what it means for businesses and families navigating the year ahead. (And stay tuned—our first podcast series on supporting entrepreneurs through the full business lifecycle drops soon!) https://lnkd.in/gRwFVRy9

Every rental unit carries an implied fundamental promise: it will be fit to live in. Yet many tenants don't realize the full extent of their legal protections—or how to use them when problems arise. Whether you're dealing with maintenance neglect, privacy violations, security deposit disputes, or unfair treatment, understanding your rights helps level the playing field and fosters respectful landlord-tenant relationships. At AYC, we believe knowledge is power. Knowing and asserting your rights gives you the confidence to address problems as they arise and maintain a stable living environment. If you're facing housing issues, As Your Counsel is here to help you navigate the process. #AYCPDX #HousingLaw #TenantProtections #LegalEmpowerment #StrategicCounsel https://lnkd.in/gxKNDRGk

Your contracts are tools to ensure your core values are reflected. Are you using them that way? Every vendor agreement, lease, and service contract you sign can either reinforce business-as-usual or help shift economic activity toward a decarbonized world; contracts can shape the world you want to build. Green contracting is one of the fastest, most scalable ways to reduce emissions. Unlike massive policy overhauls, contract changes can be implemented immediately, apply to everyday operations (waste removal, HVAC, sourcing), encourage your vendors to meet your sustainability goals, and reduce future compliance and liability risks. Small and medium-sized businesses account for approximately 90% of companies worldwide, and SMEs have a unique advantage: agility. You can move faster than large corporations, access green markets, and build climate resilience into your operations now. And businesses that act early gain long-term advantages in efficiency, reputation, and resilience. If you're ready to embed sustainability into your business agreements, we're here to help. Let's build a legal ecosystem aligned with your values. #AYCPDX #StrategicCounsel #GreenBusiness #ClimateAction #SmallBusiness #LegalEmpowerment https://lnkd.in/gtmDjnrc

It was a pleasure having Emily as part of the AYC team this summer. Her dedication, empathy, and commitment to finding creative solutions made her a valuable asset. Keep making a positive impact, Emily!