Business

Formation

We have experience in forming all types of business entities. When starting a new business or creating a new division or sister company of an existing business, it is important to think broadly. We counsel clients on the alternatives and advantages to various business structures.
One of the most overlooked and underrated areas in creating a business is the care in crafting the governing documents. By-laws, operating agreements and partnership agreements are important. More than boiler-plate documents, these can and should be living guides for the business to operate, to be used to resolve disputes among the owners and to plan for future growth. We have not only drafted these documents, we have defended and enforced them.
Whether you have a business in a service industry, are a professional corporation, or function in the manufacturing, sales, transportation, mining, retail, investment or other areas and whether you require assistance with an ongoing business or for a particular transaction, we have the experience and knowledge to guide your decision-making to create the best workable business structure for you. It is in this area that our specialty and custom services truly shine. Beyond the drafting we provide timelines and information for you to monitor when you need changes and what to look for when you do. We want your business documents to make sense to you and to help you run your enterprise!

Franchises

Businesses are established or grown in a variety of ways.  One of these ways is through the establishment or acquisition of a franchise.  Whether you are a first time business owner interested in acquiring a franchise or an established business seeking to franchise your business model, our attorneys are available to help.
We have helped many people review proposals, franchise agreements and are knowledgeable about what works and what does not. With a careful due diligence many of the obstacles can be addressed up front. Because we understand the intricacies and negotiation points in the business formation, financial services and real estate aspects of a brick and mortar business, we serve as a one stop shop for a new franchisee.  With strong relationships with other professionals in tax and accounting areas, we can maximize your investment and help you plan strategically to meet your long term goals.

Contracts

We have extensive experience in the creation, modification and litigation of contracts in a variety of contexts. Person to person, person to entity and between entities are all included. Knowing the fundamentals and how they are used and interpreted, we can help reduce the rhetoric and translate the legalese into a functional document for your particular need.
In addition to creation of contracts, we perform contract review services to allow you to coordinate your obligations and reporting for better tracking and monitoring. Through our custom services we can provide you with the information to be sure your staff is knowledgeable about your contract documents and to execute them with consistency
Due to our experience litigating contract matters, we can provide you with a fairly accurate assessment of your rights and likely outcome in any contract dispute matter so that you can more knowledgeably resolve conflicts and feel confident in those negotiations.

Personnel

Far from a favored topic, most business owners tackle personnel issues reluctantly. However, if policies are created and followed, then management of personnel resources can run smoothly.
We can provide assistance with regard to hiring decisions, termination decisions, EEOC complaints, unemployment complaints, separation agreements, employment agreements, insurance and benefit issues and grievances. Our experience in helping clients properly document files and remain current in connection with regulations such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Act, the Americans With Disabilities Act or the Family Medical Leave Act help our business clients confidently navigate these areas.
In this respect, our personnel services, much like our contract services, form the basis of our General Counsel practice for many companies we represent. We are the resource you can rely upon to provide timely assistance without the expense of an in-house attorney. With our specialty services package you get the access for the help you need on a budget you can afford!

Succession Planning

A business is started and everyone goes to work. Years pass and now it is time for the business owners to reflect on their success and their exit strategy. It could be a sale, it could be a merger, it could be a transition to employee ownership, or the junior management team. If a family business the transition could be to the next generation.
Whatever your choice, we stand ready to walk with you through the succession planning process and to facilitate a strategy to effect the transition with confidence and the support of your team.
In cooperation with the estate planning colleagues, we help our clients effect a workable plan to transition their business. We then deliver that plan to you in a new way to allow you to track your progress and stay on track. Contact us about our new custom services!

Merger/Acquisition

Is your business growing?  Is your business best suited to expand by a merger or combination with another existing company?  Maybe you as the founder are ready to move on to new challenges and have been approached to sell your business to another owner or going concern.
Either way, our attorneys stand ready to assist.  We can facilitate the steady and easy transition of outstanding financial obligations, due diligence requests and inspections and help you through this process.

Outside General Counsel

We are proud to serve as the legal department for many emerging and long-standing business owners in our area.  They know they can call on us for contract reviews, planning strategy, or formulating plans for business change and that we have both the knowledge and the experience to provide immediate help.
We take the pressure off of the owners to be an expert in every area.  Whether revising contracts, assisting with termination, negotiating office leases, fighting off challenges of competitors, providing information on new laws which affect your business, or dealing with a problem employee - we provide steady and reliable help.

Asset Protection

We are proud to serve as the legal department for many emerging and long-standing business owners in our area. They know they can call on us for contract reviews, planning strategy, or formulating plans for business change and that we have both the knowledge and the experience to provide immediate help.
We take the pressure off of the owners to be an expert in every area. Whether revising contracts, assisting with termination, negotiating office leases, fighting off challenges of competitors, providing information on new laws which affect your business, or dealing with a problem employee - we provide steady and reliable help. We have packages to suit your business to get the support you need at a price you can afford!

Non-Compete

Competition is everywhere. Your business has valuable contacts, information and policies. Your sales force requires sensitive information in order to promote your products. You need protection from an errant employee jumping ship to work for the competition. Certain employees can be bound to keep a company’s secrets and maintain its procedures. Confidential information and customer lists, as well as pricing and business strategy are valuable to your business. We help you protect these valuable assets.
We help draft, modify and enforce non-compete agreements for our client on a routine basis. Further, we have assisted many individuals from large and small companies navigate and negotiate these agreements. Where necessary, we have sued to enforce them against competing businesses and noncompliant individuals. We take that courtroom experience and build it into new protection for you. Your business is made up of your information, methods and practices. If you would like to protect those, we can help.