Business owners routinely call in professional assistance with business-related issues. For example, you probably call your CPA throughout the year for strategic planning and tax advice, but it’s unlikely you talk about business every day. The same is true of your corporate counsel. You may encounter serious legal issues or realize the need for preventative measures to avoid those issues. If so, read on to learn more about what a corporate counsel can do for you.
Setting Up and Maintaining the Business
Deciding you want to start a business is the first step in a long series of decisions that affect your company’s long-term success. Your corporate counsel can help with the following legal issues:
- Choosing a business structure
- Preparing and filing the proper formation documents
- Writing partnership agreements, bylaws, and articles of incorporation
- Ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal laws
Of course, problems also can occur once your company is up and running.
Handling the Day-to-Day Legal Issues That Arise
Problems, major and minor, may happen on any given day that your company exists. Some problems might remain minor if your corporate counsel advises you on how to act. For example, the following is a list of common legal issues business owners may have to handle:
- Disputes with clients
- Drafting and reviewing contracts
- Hiring, disciplining and terminating employees
- Dealing with injured customers, employees, and visitors
- Preparing to file lawsuits
- Defending against lawsuits
- Responding to requests from government agencies
Sometimes your corporate counsel may appear on your company’s behalf.
Representing the Corporation When Necessary
You and your corporate counsel may likely work together regarding the following events:
- Negotiating transactions
- Preparing for and attending depositions
- Participating in mediation and arbitration sessions
- Presenting or defending your case at trial
- Attending meetings with government officials
Corporate counsel can contribute to the long-term success of your business by offering pertinent legal advice every step of the way.
A Corporate Counsel Is Available for Your Legal Needs
Your company needs affordable legal advice, but not on a daily basis. Hiring in-house counsel may be okay for larger companies, but not cost-effective for you. You may not experience as many legal issues as a large corporation, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have access to legal advice.
Attorney Richard Sierra at the Florida Small Business Center offers an affordance rate so you can get the legal advice you need, when you need it, without any billing surprises. As always, Our Goal Is to Help You Succeed™. For an appointment, you may call us at 1-866-842-5202 or use the contact form on our website. we represent clients throughout South Florida, including Coral Springs, Coconut Creek, Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Pompano Beach, Sunrise, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and surrounding communities.