Business Law

The Business Law Group of CWM offers a full range of legal services for corporations, general and limited partnerships, limited liability companies, joint ventures, other business, commercial and banking entities and their owners. Our services include entity selection and formation; mergers and acquisitions; preparation of partnership agreements and operating agreements; business and tax planning; debt and equity financing; asset sales; commercial and secured transactions; joint ventures; labor and management relations; and business reorganizations. We prepare and review key business contracts with customers, vendors, employees and distributors, including franchise agreements, leasing agreements, license agreements and employment agreements.

Our attorneys understand that tax considerations drive many business decisions and transactions. We advise our clients on tax considerations relevant to their businesses and transactions and help develop plans to address and mitigate negative tax consequences.

We also assist clients in avoiding litigation by early consideration of problem areas and careful planning with the client before business decisions are finalized. The likelihood of lawsuits is diminished by close attention to detail in drafting and reviewing contracts and other documents, effective counseling and negotiation, and a comprehensive knowledge of the substantive law upon which clients base their decisions.

The business and corporate services that we offer our clients include advice on the following:

• Asset and stock sales and acquisitions
• Mergers
• Business formation and entity selection
• Restructurings
• Partnership agreements
• Operating agreements
• Tax-exempt entities
• Joint ventures
• Franchise agreements
• Leasing agreements
• Licensing agreements
• Shareholder Agreements
• Buy-Sell Agreements
• Debt and equity financings
• Employment agreements

Start-Up Companies and Entrepreneurs

Our Business Law Group is also equipped to provide critical assistance to start-up companies and entrepreneurs.  We offer start-ups assistance with selecting the appropriate business entity, business formation, capitalization and contract preparation, along with guidance on securities and employment law issues. We also help new and existing business with corporate governance advice and assistance in raising capital from lenders and from other investors, including private equity funds.

We know that each new business is unique and we tailor our services appropriately.  We understand the financial constraints of start-up businesses and can develop a plan with our start-up clients that they can afford.

For start-up inquiries, contact Steve Brinker at sbrinker@cwm-law.com or 757-623-3000.