Corporate Structure

Your business attorney should be adept at analyzing your company and helping you select the proper structure. Each type of corporate structure carries a different level of personal liability for you, the business owner. If you choose your business structure without the help of a lawyer, you may unwittingly assume more personal risk than necessary.

Handle Lawsuits

You’ll eventually need to either file a lawsuit or protect yourself against one filed by someone else. Going to court is incredibly expensive. It’s rarely a worthwhile investment. A good business lawyer can help your company handle lawsuits while avoiding the time and expense of going to court. Often, your lawyer can even prevent legal issues from escalating into lawsuits.

Review Contracts

Running a business means using contracts. The professional relationships you have with investors, partners, vendors and employees requires the use of contracts to make sure each person’s (or entity’s) rights are protected. Many business owners make the mistake of creating these contracts without legal help. Then, they’re surprised when those contracts don’t provide adequate legal protection in court. Have your business lawyer draft these contracts to avoid issues down the road.

Labor Laws

As your business grows, you’ll continue to add employees. There are labor laws that protect your employees’ rights. Because you’ll be busy running your business, you won’t be able to keep up with the constant changes made to these laws. As a result, you may unknowingly violate your employees’ rights and find yourself the unfortunate target of a lawsuit. A business lawyer can be invaluable here. He’ll help your company avoid unnecessary labor law legal issues.

Located in Troy, Michigan, the law firm of Campbell, O’Brien & Mistele, P.C. has been serving their clients professionally, successfully, and loyally, since 1952. It was originally founded by Dale C. Campbell and Edwin G. O’Brien (formerly with the Internal Revenue Service) and was later joined by Henry E. Mistele who brought his entrepreneurial and business background to the firm. The firm now caters to small- and mid-size business and corporate clients in the entire Southeast Michigan area, as well as serving individuals in personal matters in certain practice areas. To discuss your legal matters with the attorneys of Campbell, O’Brien & Mistele, P.C., call them for a free telephone consultation.

Researching corporate lawyers on the Internet is another method of finding the right business attorney, but you have to take the time to research each firm. Like searching through the phone book, there are many attorneys who label themselves as “business lawyer” or “corporate attorney,” but they may not have the specific qualifications, knowledge and experience you’re looking for. Make sure the business attorney you contact has real-world experience with legal business issues that are similar to yours.

You can also find business attorney referral websites, which sometimes offer free referrals to corporate lawyers in your area. Simply enter the search terms like “business attorney,” “starting a corporation” or “corporate litigator” and the referral service will list the best matches for you. It may take some time to receive the results, but once you have found a business lawyer that appears to be right for you, you can set up a consultation. Be sure to check with your local chamber of commerce and/or the Better Business Bureau before your face-to-face meeting. Find out if the business attorney has any complaints against them.

During the consultation, you can ask more in depth and specific questions to make sure the business attorney has the right experience and qualifications to be retained for your company. Find out exactly what the lawyer’s specialty is and if it is an area in which you need legal assistance.

After all, you will be spending a lot of time with the lawyer and they will be privy to the inner workings of your company. Having a business attorney you trust will help navigate your company through rough legal waters and get you through with an outcome that is most beneficial to your business.

At Howard, Stallings, From & Hutson, P.A., they are dedicated to helping their individual and business clients achieve success, avoid legal problems, and reach practical solutions to their legal needs. Since their firm was established in 1983, they have followed high legal and ethical standards and maintained a tradition of excellence, characterized by personal, responsive service to clients. Their attorneys provide a broad array of commercial and personal legal services. Business clients come to them to organize corporations, partnerships or LLCs, and they continue to assist them with ownership, governance, employment issues and business transactions such as buying, financing and leasing real estate. As clients expand, they help them acquire or merge with other companies, or sell their businesses, as the case may be.

With offices in Raleigh and New Bern, they are convenient to clients in the Triangle area and throughout North Carolina. From the Capitol to the Coast, their lawyers are there when and where you need them. If you would like to speak to an attorney at Howard, Stallings, From & Hutson, call them or complete their quick web contact form.

* Liability – Engaging in business can put your property and assets at risk. An attorney can help you avoid situations or reduce risk.
* Taxes – A lawyer knows that different business forms have different tax advantages and disadvantages. He is more experienced than you in this particular area.
* Autonomy – In most states, they adopt “Uniform laws”. These rules and regulation govern business entities as a “fill-in” for gaps in charter or by-laws. Business lawyers know some of these rules, which you do not even know, exist.
* Variety of entities – An attorney has better knowledge of business entities and the options that determine such things as double taxation, liability for partners, etc.
* Capital – A business has to raise money, keep records of income and distribution, and behave in a fiscal manner.
* Conformity – To ensure security and protection, a business has to conform and follow business laws. A lawyer can see to it that the law governing business is enforced and obeyed.
* Multi-state business – A business that operates in different states is governed by laws of each state where each one is located. A legal counsel knows which law applies in each state where a business operates.
* Control – Choosing a business form not suited to your interest can pose future problems with employees or partners.
* Contracts – A business enterprise engage in many contracts, agreements and deal. A business law attorney can explain to you the details of the documents and help you decide which contract is beneficial to the company.

If you plan to establish a business in California, you have to undergo certain procedures to be able to conduct business and operate legally in the state. To be able to accomplish this, you will need the help of an experienced lawyer to assist you in the preparation and processing of documents.

California business law attorneys at The Law Offices of James G. Schwartz is a commercial law firm specializing in representation of national, regional and local businesses financial and mortgage institutions, auto finance companies, retail companies. Mr. Schwartz has been representing local, regional and national companies since 1976. For more information, please visit their site at SchwartzBusinessLaw.com .

ARBITRATION LAW

This is a way of settling legal disputes without entering the courtroom, something that can be helpful to many businesses. It involves someone, or a committee, acting as an arbitrator and independently looking at a case before making a decision as to a way forward. Usually in these cases the two parties will agree (and sign a legally binding contract) to go by whichever decision the arbitrator makes.

CONTRACT LAW

Throughout business, there are obviously many contracts of all types. There are contracts between employers and employee, stating details such as employees pay, holiday, working hours and what the job entails. There are also contracts between businesses and their clients stating what the business will deliver and how much they will be paid, and then there are contracts between businesses and other institutions, such as banks.

Contract Law states the way in which contracts must be formatted and what should be included. Whether or not a contract is legally binding is sometimes argued. Contracts might be unreasonable or the contents illegal. There can also be disputes as to whether the terms of a contract have been broken, something that is illegal.

BANKING LAW

This includes and dealings involving banks and their relationships with a business. There are many regulations around banking so it is important
for financial institutions to make sure they are following the law. There are regulations stating what banks are obliged to do, and what they must not do. There can be disputes between banks and businesses that go to court such as non-paid loans or banks acting unreasonably.

DISPUTE RESOLUTION

Unsurprisingly there are often disputes between businesses, or between and business and an individual. If clients are unhappy with the service they have received they may contest it. This means it is important that businesses fulfil their obligations; if they don’t they could be legally challenged.

EMPLOYMENT LAW

There are many laws around this area, which both employers and employees must fulfil. Employees must be paid at least minimum wage and are entitled to at least 4 weeks paid holiday (pro rata) per year. Employees must show up for work and do the job they are being paid for. There may be many other terms in a contract.

TAX LAW

All individuals and businesses who earn over a certain amount must pay tax. Employees who earn over the tax threshold must pay income tax. This is automatically taken from their pay as a percentage of their earning, which varies depending on what they are paid. Those who are self employed are responsible for working out their own tax, and will be held accountable should they fail to do so. Corporations must pay corporate tax on a percentage of their profits, although they can deduct money from their profits used for business expenses. This can be complex, and the law deals with those who break the law.

Given the need for you to get legal advice on the different contracts you would be entering into in your business, getting a business lawyer becomes a necessity because, apart from giving you advice on contracts and other matters, like zoning laws, business lawyers can also negotiate on your behalf. However, looking for a good business lawyer requires that you do an adequate amount of research so that you can find the best lawyer for your business. One of the best ways to do so is to ask for referrals from friends or from your accountant. In addition to this, you can also ask the Arizona Bar Association if they can refer you to some of their members who specialize in business law. Another good place to look is the Internet, which is host to a number of web site of lawyers and law firms.

After doing the initial research, you can now interview your prospects where you can ascertain whether the lawyer can really help you. One of the most important things you should do during these interviews is to explain your business to the lawyer and ask him about the ways that he can help you.

Starting a business can be very stressful, especially if you have to review a number of legal documents, which are sometimes very hard to understand. However, you can reduce the stress that you feel by hiring a business lawyer because doing so will give you access to good legal advice on legal matters and give you the assistance you need in negotiations and other important matters.

The attorneys of The Meier Law Firm, PLC are a dedicated business law firm in Phoenix, Arizona with the purpose of providing individuals and businesses with high quality, efficient legal solutions to help them achieve important business goals. They offer a variety of transactional services to meet those needs, from company formation, drafting contracts, providing risk management and regulatory advice, to helping with the sale or purchase of a business.

When you hire The Meier Law Firm, PLC, Attorney Tony Meier directly handles your business or real estate matter. This type of attention is highly focused, personal, and results-oriented from your initial consultation until the completion of your legal matter. The Meier Law Firm, PLC does not work on the traditional law firm system of the billable hour. They utilize an innovative flat fee structure for all services to be cost-effective for your business and manage your legal services budget. You receive a fee quote for the services you need upfront. This way you know your fee in advance and will have no surprises when the bill arrives. To discuss how Tony Meier can help you with your business and real estate legal matters, contact The Meier Law Firm, PLC today.

If you are wondering whether your firm would need a legal professional with expertise in corporate law, here is a list of some things that may indicate the necessity of hiring one.
* A business attorney is knowledgeable about everything related to different types of organizations. He will assist you in deciding what type of organization would be the most favorable and how to manage in the best possible manner. He can also guide you on how to remain compliant with the state laws and prepare the requisite documents.
* A business law attorney will ensure that every contract that you sign serves your best interests.
* A business attorney is necessary while registering a trademark, registrations for federal and state tax identification numbers, assisting you in the filing of taxes in accordance with the kind of your corporate entity.
* Expertise an experienced business lawyer is needed during acquisitions, mergers, sale or closure etc.
* In case of any litigation, a business attorney can help you come out of it easily .
* He/she can also guide you regarding civil, intellectual, labor and environmental laws .

It is extremely important to hire an experienced and reputed guide for achievements of your corporate goals. Attorneys certainly help to make the process of starting and running a business easy.

Fellheimer & Eichen LLP provides business clients with prompt, cost-effective, results-driven legal counsel. The lawyers represent clients in Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey with local, national, and international cases—including challenging the jurisdiction of state and United States courts.

Their main areas of expertise include:
* Business Litigation
* Real Estate Litigation
* Banking Law
* Commercial Litigation

At Fellheimer & Eichen, their goals are to:
* Achieve our client’s goals
* Gain the client the best resolution for the least possible cost

Before undertaking each case, they evaluate the client’s business goals to determine the most cost-effective legal strategy. The firm works closely with clients and corporate counsel to efficiently resolve disputes and accomplish identified business goals.

In all matters, Fellheimer & Eichen pursues the best possible solution for the client. Often, this means they help involved parties reach agreement through the use of theirexpert negotiation skills. But if going to court will result in a better outcome for the client, the tough business litigation trial attorneys at Fellheimer & Eichen are ready to represent the client’s best interests in court.

Whether the subject matter involves services or goods, agreements are an indispensible component to business transactions. In fact, it is no exaggeration to say that the art of drafting and interpreting contracts is the foundation of all business law.

One of the major functions of the business law practitioner is to provide comprehensive and accurate review of the provisions to an agreement and ensure that the parties understand the terms of the transaction into which they are entering. Similarly, a trained business attorney is skilled at listening to the parties and writing contractual clauses that clearly and precisely reflect their intentions. The attorney’s ability to accomplish these tasks directly bears on both the likelihood of disputes arising between the parties down the road and the possibility of incurring penalties as a result of non-compliance with rules and regulations.

Bear in mind that parties to an agreement will always have at least some adverse interests. Accordingly, in most instances contracts should be reviewed, negotiated, and/or drafted by separate counsel representing each party individually. The reality is that the party with the more skilled business lawyer is likely to come away with certain advantages.

Another real-life consideration is the business attorney’s demeanor. Business negotiations are a very delicate matter. One of the fears business professionals have is that after they have laid the groundwork for a business relationship with another party, their attorney will show up and wreck the deal by aggressively seeking more favorable terms and/or by bringing up issues that lead to conflict. To be fair to the attorney, he or she is only trying to look out for the client in this situation. However, the bottom line for the client in such a case is that the deal is gone. It requires a certain amount of wisdom and grace on the part of business counsel to ascertain the situation, weigh the consequences of making certain statements against not making them, and choose the appropriate comportment in order to walk the fine line that leads to true advocacy of the client.

The subject of business litigation is one that must be fully and frankly considered since business ventures and business relationships often do not work out as planned. Some business attorneys focus their practice on litigation and dispute resolution. Such practitioners are business litigators, and they have a different skill set from the transactional lawyers that draft and negotiate contracts.

First, the steps involved in litigation are complex, and failure to following proper procedures invariably leads to delay, expense, and/or defeat. To further complicate matters, there are several different codes of civil procedure that apply depending upon the issue, amount in controversy, and the county. Many times you may need a business attorney just to determine in which courthouse to file the lawsuit.

A business litigator knows the correct legal forms to use and the proper procedures for each courthouse. Also, the litigator is adept at presenting the facts of the case and the legal support for the client’s claim both on paper, in the form of a pleading, and before a judge, in the form of oral arguments. Each of these can be daunting tasks for a business professional without legal training and experience. Where the amount of money in question is relatively small, the business professional may bring the matter in Small Claims Court prose, where some judges may have more patience with non-lawyers. Many times, however, it is a bad idea to go into even a small claims matter without a qualified business attorney. Some judges dislike non-lawyers representing themselves or their companies because they invariably make mistakes and end up wasting the court’s time. Once the amount in controversy gets over a certain limit, the court will require that business entities be represented by legal counsel and failure to do so will mean losing the case.

Hence finding a business attorney is really essential for your business. If you are in Miami, the commercial litigation law firm Payton & Associates, LLC is available to help your litigation. The firm is led by Harry A. Payton, one of a small percentage of attorneys who is Florida Bar Board Certified in the specialties of business litigation and civil trial. More than 4000 lawyers in Florida are board certified; and Payton is one of only 205 that are certified in both civil trial and business litigation.

Payton & Associates is committed to achieving the best results for clients by approaching litigation with common sense, adhering to the highest professional and ethical standards, and providing services of value. Payton & Associates believes that professionalism is as important to every lawyer’s stature as is technical skill. The business litigation lawyers have earned a reputation for excellence and integrity.

A distinguishing characteristic of this firm is the creative and innovative approach to the business of business litigation. Payton & Associates focuses on effective litigation strategies and the importance of what constitutes a successful outcome in litigation. Payton & Associates applies common sense, fairness, and flexible billing arrangements to ensure that the clients receive value for the services it renders.

When the need arises, a business litigation lawyer can represent you in any legal proceeding that may arise from any lawsuit against you or your business.

Reasons for hiring a business attorney:

• The expertise of an attorney is needed to decide which kind of business structure i.e. corporation, LLC, LLP, Sole proprietorship etc. to opt for while deciding to start a business.

• Business attorneys are needed while forming a business entity, their advice and guidance is needed while forming articles of incorporation etc.

• They are needed for obtaining licenses and permits necessary, negotiate lease of office or retail space.

• They are necessary while filing a patent or registering a trademark, registering your business for federal and state tax identification numbers, help you file the tax forms according to the kind of entity your business is.

• Attorneys are needed to prepare contracts when you deal with suppliers, clients, as well as help guide you while signing contracts other people have prepared.

• Attorneys are needed to guide you regarding banking and financing, business negotiations, business planning and transactional business laws.

• Expertise of a qualified attorney is needed while acquisitions, mergers, sale of business or closure of business etc.

• Their guidance is necessary regarding civil, intellectual, labor, and environmental laws.

• They are hired to deal with litigations if any.

The reasons for hiring a Business Attorney are therefore many and attorneys are the backbone of any business entity. Hiring a good business attorney is a positive step taken towards success of the business venture. It is better to hire a large, reputed firm of attorneys as although the fee may be large you get the expertise of lawyers specializing in different areas of law. If you hire a sole practitioner, you may have to hire several different lawyer in due course of time. A reputed firm like Reimer Rosenthal has all the legal expertise you may need, “under one roof.”

Reimer Rosenthal is an elite business law firm representing both local and national clients in a wide spectrum of business issues, topics and disciplines. The firm serves many of its clients as their general counsel in Ft. Lauderdale and Miami, Florida.

This premier law boutique was founded in 1997, by attorneys with law and business degrees from some of the finest universities in the country. With extensive experience in complex business matters and legal disputes, these lawyers have been able to achieve tremendous success for their clients.

As there are many important reasons for hiring a business attorney, it is necessary to hire an experienced, reputed business attorney to guide your business towards the achievements of its goals. Several firms offer their services and professional help to make the process of starting and running a business easy.