Entity Formation (Corporations, LLC's, etc.)
One of the earliest and most important decisions you will have to make when starting a new business or buying a business is the type of entity form you wish you establish. The Law Offices of Robert E. Knudsen can advise you on the benefits and drawbacks of each entity form (i.e. sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, etc.) to help you to select the form which will best meet the needs of your business. All entity forms require that specific guidelines are followed in forming the entity. Whatever entity form you choose, our office will guide you through the process and help ensure that you meet all the requirements in forming your legal entity so that your new business starts off on solid legal footing.
Buying/Selling a Business
Involving an attorney experienced in business matters in the sale or purchase of a business will help to safeguard against potential pitfalls which may occur as a result of poorly drafted agreements or failure to conduct an adequate due diligence review. We can advise clients on either side of the sale, ensuring their interests in the transaction are fully protected. If you are selling, we can help ensure compliance with all laws and structuring the transaction so that you receive payment for what you are selling and do not end up with continuing liabilities after the sale. If you are buying, we can assist in the process of conducting a thorough due diligence review of all agreements, potential and actual litigation, corporate/business records, security interests, and loans to determine the status of the company from a legal perspective and ensure that you get what you pay for and to ensure that you are not assuming unknown liabilities.
Business Contract Drafting & Review
How well a contract is drafted often determines how well it can be enforced if a dispute arises after the contract is signed. Without proper legal counsel, a contract may fail to address all elements of a transaction and can open up involved parties to future disputes and litigation. We offer services in contract drafting and review of most types of business and real estate contracts including, but not limited to, acquisition agreements, formation documents, commercial lease agreements, loan documents, employment agreements, purchase agreements and sales contracts.
Contract Negotiations
It is always preferable to have a written contract in any business agreement, no matter how small a service may seem. Written agreements work to avoid misunderstandings that can occur with oral or verbal agreements, and if there is a written contract it is much easier to substantiate your claims in court if the need arises. We can help in negotiating contract terms to achieve the best possible outcomes for your situation, while working to avoid future disagreements between involved parties.
Business Dissolution
There are many factors which may lead to the decision to dissolve or retire a business entity. Regardless of your motivation, dissolving or transferring ownership of a business can involve many legal issues. Different business entity forms (i.e. sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, Limited Liability Company, etc.) have distinct requirements for dissolution, termination or transfer of interests and the involvement of other parties including other partners, corporate shareholders or LLC members can further complicate the process. We can assist you in the process of dissolution and in resolving any conflicts or disputes that may arise as a result of the decision.