Corporate Law
Lex Concordia focuses on advising clients on corporate law matters. We serve a broad range of clients from small start-ups to multi-million dollar corporations in many different industries. The services we provide in the field of corporate law are just as diverse as our client base. Covering the entire life cycle of your business from entity selection and general startup counseling to the sale or dissolution of your company and everything in between, we provide customized solutions that fit your specific business goals and set you up for long-term success.
Choosing an entity form for your business is an important decision with far-reaching consequences. It affects your liability risks, how you and your business will be taxed, your reporting duties, your ability to attract potential investors, and many other areas. There are numerous options to choose from:
Although forms and documents are available on the internet from online legal service providers, that is really all you get. What those services don’t provide is the advice and guidance that you need to fully understand your options and ensure that your needs are actually met. At Lex Concordia, we take the time to get to know you and your business objectives to make sure that you pick the entity that is best for you right from the start.
One step that is often neglected in the business formation process is to establish a clear written agreement that regulates and defines the relationship between the business’ stakeholders. In the initial stages of a business venture, where the owners are often overwhelmed with all those new tasks and exciting opportunities, it is easy to turn a blind eye to the issues that harbor potential for conflicts. You may be stuck in a situation where one of the business partners is not doing his/her fair share, or you may be facing a deadlock regarding an important business decision. In these circumstances, rather than hoping everything will magically work itself out, it is often best to bring in a third-party to address the issues and minimize disruptions to your business. The best way to do this is through a negotiated, written agreement. Whether a Shareholders’ Agreement (for corporations), Operating Agreement (for limited liability companies), or Partnership Agreement (for partnerships), the goal is always the same: to provide clear guidance for the business owners on how to resolve situations of conflict and, as a result, to help avoid disruptive (and expensive) lawsuits. We advise our clients to consider the following issues:
Because businesses are often formed by family members or longtime friends, addressing these issues can be uncomfortable. At Lex Concordia, we have counseled clients many times in these situations, and we can help you turn this process into a positive and productive experience for all parties involved.
Regardless of whether we are dealing with large public companies, family-owned businesses or non-profit organizations, one complaint we hear from our clients over and over again is how difficult it is to run a business in today’s complex regulatory environment. We help our clients navigate regulatory challenges and assist them in implementing and maintaining best practices in the following areas:
We make it a priority to stay current on the latest developments within your industry and your organization, so we can raise awareness for potential pitfalls early on and ensure that you are always in compliance with the governing laws and regulations. With Lex Concorida helping you to stay informed of your legal duties, you can focus on what you do best: growing and taking care of your business.
At Lex Concordia, we strive to provide our clients with the best solutions on how to legitimately minimize their tax burden in a variety of situations. Our services include:
Lex Concordia works with you to protect, preserve, and enforce your intellectual property. Whether you are trying to determine if your work infringes another’s intellectual property or seeking to protect your own intellectual property, Lex Concordia offers a full range of legal services. Our services focus on:
One of the major challenges a business can face is the death, retirement, or departure of a key owner or executive. Unfortunately, many businesses are unprepared for such a situation and as a result don't survive long after a change in leadership. A comprehensive business succession plan can help you to ensure a smooth transition and limit disruptions to the flow of business. At Lex Concordia, we help our clients find a solution that is in full alignment with their individual priorities and goals. While for some business owners succession planning involves the transfer of the business to next-generation family members, other options include selling the business to a partner, the management team, or qualified employees. Our business succession services include:
As a business owner, you know that operating and owning a business can be fraught with pitfalls and risks. Product liability lawsuits, injuries to customers, claims resulting from property damage caused by your employees, and debt obligations to third parties are just some of the risks that could potentially lead to the loss of your business and even your personal assets. At Lex Concordia, we help you identify the high-risk areas in your particular line of business and advise you on how to minimize the loss they could cause. Our services include:
Businesses may end for a variety of reasons. In a lot of cases, the decision to dissolve the business is based on the owners’ mutual agreement that it would be best for everyone involved. In other situations, businesses may be forced into dissolution because of external factors beyond the owners’ control, e.g. through bankruptcy, insolvency, or a liability claim in excess of the business’ value. In any event, it is important to develop a comprehensive exit strategy. At Lex Concordia, we help you develop a plan that shields you from continuing liability and resolves all ongoing business issues while minimizing the financial and emotional burden on everyone involved. We advise our clients on the following issues:
