Shana Elson is Of Counsel with Schneiders & Associates, where she advises clients on business law, commercial transactions, contracts, real estate matters, and litigation. She combines nearly two decades of legal experience with the perspective of having built and operated her own successful retail business, giving her a practical understanding of the legal and business challenges entrepreneurs face every day.
Ms. Elson earned her Juris Doctor from UCLA School of Law and her Master of Business Administration from the USC Marshall School of Business, where she specialized in Entrepreneurship and Hospitality. She graduated with honors from Washington University in St. Louis with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor in Business.
Throughout her legal career, Ms. Elson has represented businesses, entrepreneurs, investors, and property owners in a wide range of matters involving contracts, corporate transactions, real estate acquisitions, leasing, business formation and dissolution, finance and litigation. She has negotiated and drafted complex commercial agreements, structured mergers and acquisitions, handled high-value real estate transactions, and litigated business disputes from inception through trial.
In addition to her legal practice, Ms. Elson founded and operated Top This Chocolate, a specialty chocolate store located in Ventura Harbor Village. For six years, she managed every aspect of the business, including commercial leasing, vendor negotiations, employment matters, regulatory compliance, intellectual property, finance, marketing, and day-to-day operations. This firsthand experience as a small business owner provides her with real-world insight into the operational issues her clients encounter, allowing her to offer advice that is not only legally sound but also workable and aligned with the realities of running a business.
Ms. Elson was admitted to practice law in the State of California in 2005 and is committed to helping clients navigate complex legal issues with practical, business-focused solutions.