About Derek Early
Derek Early represents businesses and high-net-worth individuals regarding business and real estate matters. His practices involve regular collaboration with the firm’s estate planning attorneys and clients’ CPAs, financial planners, and insurance advisors. Derek is Board Certified in Taxation Law by the State Bar of California.
Derek performs general counsel work for numerous privately held companies, and in doing so, he frequently counsels these clients regarding matters such as organizational structure, financing, risk management, and compliance. Much of his time is devoted to helping business owners develop and execute exit and succession plans to meet their personal, tax, and operational objectives.
Regarding real estate, Derek has represented both landlords and tenants in numerous lease negotiations, and he frequently assists clients with sales transactions and financings. Much of his extensive experience has involved commercial shopping centers, but he also regularly deals with industrial, office, multi-family projects, single-family rental properties, and agricultural land. He often assists clients with developing strategies to address property tax and income tax issues relating to their real estate.
Before joining Brown & Streza, LLP, he litigated numerous business disputes and employment issues, providing him with an understanding of clients’ risks and concerns relating to the litigation process.
During law school, Derek was a Managing Editor for the Indiana Law Journal and President of the Sports & Entertainment Law Society.
In college, Derek won an Ivy League Championship as a member of the University of Pennsylvania’s football team.
Professional Background
Brown & Streza LLP, Irvine, California
Partner, 2019-Present
Attorney, 2013-2019
Varner & Brandt LLP
Attorney, 2010-2013
Fernandez & Lauby LLP
Attorney, 2008-2010
Juris Doctor, cum laude, Indiana University Maurer School of Law, 2005-2008
Indiana Law Journal
Managing Editor
Sports & Entertainment Law Society
President
Bachelor of Arts, University of Pennsylvania, 1999-2003
Speaking Engagements
Prudential Irvine Office, Irvine, California, June 19, 2018
- Avoiding Business Planning Mistakes Using Life and Disability Insurance and Other Techniques
2018 Agents Helping Agents (AHA) Conference, Irvine, California, March 30, 2018
- Using Life and Disability Insurance for Business Planning
Exit Planning Institute SoCal Chapter Meeting, Costa Mesa, California, June 1, 2017
- Family Business Divorce
CalCPA Study Group Breakfast, Anaheim, California, September 22, 2016
- Buy-Sell Agreements
Morgan Stanley Seminar, Newport Beach, California, June 28, 2016
- Avoid the 6 Mistakes that Business Owners Make
