Starting a business requires thorough planning. Our firm assists business owners in the formation of legally sound business entities and helps entrepreneurs devise business strategies that help them achieve their goals. We advise on the business startup and formation process as well as issues related to selection of entity type and jurisdiction, including:
- Subchapter C-corporation formation
- Subchapter S-corporation formation
- Limited liability company (LLC) formation
- Partnership formation (including LLP)
- Stock purchases
- Asset purchases
- Joint ventures
- We also advise on and draft shareholder agreements, membership agreements or partnership agreements as part of the entity formation process.
Buying and Selling Businesses
Our firm can guide business owners in the multi-stage process of buying or selling a business, including:
- Advising on the structure of the transaction
- Negotiation of terms and drafting of the deal memorandum
- Advising sellers on legal strategies to address issues raised during the due diligence process
- Advising buyers on conducting legal due diligence
- Drafting, reviewing and negotiating the extensive documentation involved in a business transaction, such as asset purchase agreements, stock purchase agreements and security agreements
- Preparation and Review of Business Contracts
In consultation with business owners, we review, draft and negotiate contracts related to various business activities, including:
- Buy-sell agreements
- Service contracts
- Releases and waivers
- Property agreements
- Shareholder agreements
- Operating agreements
- Lease agreements
- Establishing Company Policies
It is critically important to use caution when establishing company policies, whether they are formal written regulations or informal rules and common practices that are “just known” by employees. Companies should carefully review all employee handbooks to make sure policies and procedures comply with applicable employment laws and to avoid potential legal issues with personnel. Otherwise, the employee handbook could potentially serve as evidence against the company in a lawsuit filed by an employee claiming the company engaged in an illegal employment practice.
