Business Law

Our attorneys provide guidance and support to our clients and their businesses. Whether it’s something big like buying or selling a business or something small like drafting non-compete contracts, we work efficiently to find creative solutions to meet the needs of our clients. Below is small sampling of the areas in which we are involved.

Employment Contracts / Non-Compete Contracts

Although many factors may determine a successful employment situation for an employee and the employer, both parties benefit tremendously from clearly stated expectations and obligations. We help businesses draft contracts and non-complete agreements that are easy to understand and effectively represent the intentions of the parties. Both the employee and the employer benefit from an agreement that expressly states what is expected of the parties, what promises each party makes, and what consequences will result in the event of noncompliance.

Employee Handbooks

Small businesses that operate loosely and without a codified set of policies take on unnecessary risk and liability. Employee handbooks can be an excellent resource for a business to use in establishing clear guidelines and expectations for the employment relationship. We help businesses draft or revise handbooks to address a variety of issues including, but not limited to, employment expectations, sick time, benefits, discipline, performance reviews, and termination procedures.

Collecting Accounts Receivable

Although death and taxes get more press, every business owner knows that accounts receivables are equally as persistent. Unfortunately, businesses tend to let bad debts fester rather than engage the problem. We partner with businesses to create a joint collections plan. Sometimes the best option is litigation, but often times negotiated settlements are equally effective and less expensive. We help businesses understand the remedies available through the law and perform the cost-benefit analysis that’s necessary to determine which bad debts to pursue. In sum, we help businesses collect what’s collectable and and worthwhile to pursue.

Property Taxes

Although every business is obligated to pay taxes, every business is only obligated to pay its fair share of taxes. On behalf of our business clients, our attorneys work closely with county and city officials to help determine what that fair share should be. A significant reduction in property taxes may be the difference between a layoff and a hiring, and we work to ensure that our business clients are treated fairly.

Leasehold Agreements

As a business, controlling overhead costs is vital to the health and growth of the company. If the business is leasing space, the terms of the lease will have a direct impact on the stability of the business. Not only will the lease determine the monthly financial obligation for the business, but the lease can also dictate the limits of the business operations and flexibility in using the space. Our attorneys take the time to learn the business, evaluate its goals, and ensure that a lease (or any contract for that matter) will allow the business to achieve its objectives.

Unemployment Benefits

We have yet to meet an employer who likes to terminate an employee. Unfortunately, termination is a part of running a business. For some small businesses, the survival of the business may depend on parting ways with an employee. We usually work with employers in two ways:

1. If a recently terminated employee applies for benefits that the employee is not entitled to receive, we advocate for the employer to defend the claim, deny the benefits, and keep the employer’s unemployment insurance from being adversely affected.
2. As is true with many employment law issues, implementing preventative practices can help reduce the likelihood of conflict with employees. This is especially true in the unemployment context. We help employers develop the tools to effectively track and document all of the employment activity within the company. Proper documentation is often the best evidence an employer will use to defend a frivolous unemployment claim.

Whether the employer wants to implement best practices for preventing frivolous claims or is already knee-deep an unemployment claim, we have the resources and experience to be an effective advocate.