When making the decision to start a business, owners typically have the skill and experience to offer a great service or a quality product. However, operating a business goes beyond providing products or services to customers. To ensure a business' financial stability and long-term growth, there are many issues that may be beyond the expertise of business owners.
Whether you are contemplating legal issues related to starting a new business or you are grappling with complex legal issues regarding your existing business, it is important to make sure that they are addressed by someone with experience. The consequences of failing to do so could include fines, tax problems, and additional legal problems. Here are just a few of the most common issues that New Orleans business attorneys help business owners address.
Business Structure
After deciding to start a business one of the first critical decisions that you will need to make is the type of structure your business will have. New Orleans business attorneys will be able to explain to you the pros and cons of sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations and limited liability companies. The type of business you intend to operate as well as your personal and business priorities will determine which type of business entity is best for you.
Buying a Business
If you decide to buy an existing business, there are several steps to take and issues to consider before the deal ultimately closes. A few of the steps include agreeing upon a purchase price with the owner based on a professional appraisal, completing due diligence to uncover hidden problems, if any, agreeing upon payment terms, and signing a purchase agreement that has first been reviewed by New Orleans business attorneys.
Employment Contracts and Agreements
Well-written employment agreements will ensure that both you and your employees understand the expectations and limitations of the employment relationship. Moreover, clearly written independent contractor agreements will not only define the terms of an independent contractor relationship, but will also ensure that the relationship is not misconstrued as an employee-employer relationship.
Succession Planning
If you are just starting a business, making a plan for what will happen to the business when you decide to retire or pass away may not be a priority. However, it is important to plan well in advance for the future of your business with respect to ownership, management, and operations. New Orleans business attorneys will be able to design a plan tailored to your wishes that ensures the continuity of the business after it changes ownership, protects business assets, and minimizes tax consequences.
Intellectual Property
Your most valuable business assets may be intangible, such as software, domain names, the name of your business, inventions, and trade secrets. Because of the intangible nature of such assets, properly protecting them can be complex. New Orleans business attorneys have the experience to draft licensing agreements, confidentiality agreements and other agreements that will protect your ownership interest in such assets, as well as filing the appropriate paperwork to copyright, trademark or patent your intellectual property.
Business structure, transferring ownership, employment agreements, exit planning and protecting intangible assets are but a few of the many important issues that the experience of New Orleans business attorneys may prove critical. To learn more about how we can help your business with legal issues, contact Barrios Kingsdorf & Casteix LLP today.
Whether you are contemplating legal issues related to starting a new business or you are grappling with complex legal issues regarding your existing business, it is important to make sure that they are addressed by someone with experience. The consequences of failing to do so could include fines, tax problems, and additional legal problems. Here are just a few of the most common issues that New Orleans business attorneys help business owners address.
Business Structure
After deciding to start a business one of the first critical decisions that you will need to make is the type of structure your business will have. New Orleans business attorneys will be able to explain to you the pros and cons of sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations and limited liability companies. The type of business you intend to operate as well as your personal and business priorities will determine which type of business entity is best for you.
Buying a Business
If you decide to buy an existing business, there are several steps to take and issues to consider before the deal ultimately closes. A few of the steps include agreeing upon a purchase price with the owner based on a professional appraisal, completing due diligence to uncover hidden problems, if any, agreeing upon payment terms, and signing a purchase agreement that has first been reviewed by New Orleans business attorneys.
Employment Contracts and Agreements
Well-written employment agreements will ensure that both you and your employees understand the expectations and limitations of the employment relationship. Moreover, clearly written independent contractor agreements will not only define the terms of an independent contractor relationship, but will also ensure that the relationship is not misconstrued as an employee-employer relationship.
Succession Planning
If you are just starting a business, making a plan for what will happen to the business when you decide to retire or pass away may not be a priority. However, it is important to plan well in advance for the future of your business with respect to ownership, management, and operations. New Orleans business attorneys will be able to design a plan tailored to your wishes that ensures the continuity of the business after it changes ownership, protects business assets, and minimizes tax consequences.
Intellectual Property
Your most valuable business assets may be intangible, such as software, domain names, the name of your business, inventions, and trade secrets. Because of the intangible nature of such assets, properly protecting them can be complex. New Orleans business attorneys have the experience to draft licensing agreements, confidentiality agreements and other agreements that will protect your ownership interest in such assets, as well as filing the appropriate paperwork to copyright, trademark or patent your intellectual property.
Business structure, transferring ownership, employment agreements, exit planning and protecting intangible assets are but a few of the many important issues that the experience of New Orleans business attorneys may prove critical. To learn more about how we can help your business with legal issues, contact Barrios Kingsdorf & Casteix LLP today.
About the Author:
New Orleans business attorneys can help your company deal with legal issues and lawsuits. To get business help from the corporate counsel in New Orleans right now, pay a visit to this site at http://www.zuarticles.com/article-details/5-things-a-new-orleans-business-attorney-can-do-to-help-your-company.html.
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