Your business plan provides the blueprint for your success. Whether you’re founding a new business or expanding an existing one, making strategic business planning decisions is integral to meeting your long-term goals.
At Conte Clayton & Austin, P.A., our experienced business law attorneys can help you navigate complex issues throughout the lifecycle of your business, from entity selection to exit planning and success.
How Can a Lawyer Help with a Business Formation?
From choosing the right legal structure to protecting your business from potential liabilities, there are many reasons to consult an attorney during the business formation process.
Our knowledgeable business planning lawyers have years of experience providing legal support to successful New Jersey businesses in areas including:
- Entity selection and structure
- General counsel services for day-to-day legal needs
- Corporate transactions
- Exit and succession planning
At Conte Clayton & Austin, P.A., we’re not just your business lawyers—we’re your business strategists. Contact us today to schedule your consultation.
Business Planning and Formation Services
Throughout the business formation process, you’ll face dozens—if not hundreds—of decisions about your business that will lay the foundation for its success. And a knowledgeable attorney is a powerful asset throughout the process.
Entity selection and design
There are many different types of business entities, each with its own benefits and drawbacks.
Our attorneys are equipped to help you understand the differences between each type of business entity, including:
- Limited liability companies
- Limited partnerships
- Joint venture agreements
- Corporations
We take the time to ask questions and truly consider your goals, resources, and concerns to guide you toward the right type of business entity for your needs.
At Conte Clayton & Austin, P.A., we know how important your business decisions are to your long-term success. We’re here to help
Buy-Sell, Opearating, and Shareholders’ Agreements
Buy-sell, Operating, and Shareholders’ Agreements are critical documents that detail h how a business will be operated and how an owner’s share or membership interest in a company will be transferred if certain types of events arise, among other things.
These events include:
- Death
- Disability
- Retirement
- Disputes with coworkers
- Or other triggering events
The objective is to ensure a smooth transition of ownership and avoid disruptions that could jeopardize the success of the business and help ensure continuity in operations when adversity strikes. A knowledgeable business planning attorney can help you strategically plan to set the stage for a stable future.
General Counsel
As your business undergoes its routine operations, you’ll encounter a variety of day-to-day legal needs.
These legal needs may include:
- Creating contracts with vendors and customers
- Resolving internal employment issues
- Protecting trade secrets and intellectual property
- Staying on top of compliance and regulatory issues
Our attorneys work with a wide range of business clients to serve as general counsel for their operational legal needs. In addition, we maintain a wide network of subject matter experts who we work with for specialized legal needs, such as intellectual property matters, tax law, and regulatory issues who can provide specialized legal services not offered in house.
Exit planning and succession
You may not intend to take a step back from your business anytime soon, but it pays to be prepared.
Once you’ve identified and trained a potential successor, an attorney can help with developing a legal plan to transfer ownership of your business in a way that minimizes tax obligations and protects your interests.
Corporate Transactions
When purchasing or selling business assets, shares of stock in closely held corporations, or limited liability membership interest, working with an attorney is crucial for protecting your peace of mind—and bottom line.
Optimize due diligence and avoid business interruption or other transactional risks by working with a team well-versed in transactions involving:
- Retail, manufacturing, and service-based businesses
- Franchise business
- Liquor licenses
Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) for businesses
Many business owners assume that traditional litigation is the only way to settle a dispute, but that’s not always the case. In fact, avoiding court altogether may be preferable to preserve business relationships and save money. With an attorney who is experienced in alternative dispute resolution (ADR) on your side, it’s often possible to take this route.
Many business owners prefer ADR over courtroom litigation because it is often more efficient and affordable than going in front of a judge. It’s also an attractive option for reaching mutually acceptable solutions privately and peacefully.
Ready for Business Success? Schedule a Consultation with a Business Lawyer
Whether you’re just starting out, expanding your business, or planning for the future, we’re here to help at any stage in the lifecycle of your business. Each business is unique, which is why we work closely with every individual client to provide customized, creative solutions to meet a variety of legal business needs.
Contact us today to schedule your consultation. We’ll partner with you to develop a custom plan that ensures the security of your business today and supports your business goals for tomorrow.
At Conte Clayton & Austin, we believe that you should never need to choose between value and efficacy when choosing an attorney. We combine the acumen of a larger law firm with a flexible, cost-effective business model that allows us to meet your legal needs while still providing the world-class, one-on-one service you deserve.
Don’t wait until legal issues arise to choose an attorney. Contact our firm today to schedule your consultation so that you—and your business—can prepare for anything the future may hold.
.
If you’re already involved in a legal dispute and a lawsuit is looming, it’s important to meet with an attorney as soon as possible. Contact us with the details of your case—and don’t delay.
Our patient and empathetic attorneys will walk you through your legal rights and options. Then, we’ll work with you to develop a custom business or commercial litigation strategy, so you can make an informed decision about how to proceed. We’ll do everything in our power to reduce the conflict and financial strain of the situation so that you can get back to business.
.
New Jersey Business Law Attorney FAQs
What are the steps to register a business in New Jersey?
This can vary significantly depending on the type of business entity you choose—which is one of many reasons it’s important to work with an experienced business planning attorney throughout the business formation process.
What does a business lawyer do?
A business lawyer offers strategic planning, as well as dispute resolution, contract negotiation, and other day-to-day legal support for your business.
Do I need a lawyer to start a business?
Technically, it’s possible to start a business without a lawyer. However, consulting with a knowledgeable business planning attorney can help you save time and money by avoiding common legal pitfalls and making business choices that are wise and future-oriented.
What are the common business entity types?
Limited liability companies
Limited liability companies (LLCs) are a popular choice of business entity, especially among small business owners. LLCs offer many of the benefits of a corporation with the flexibility of a sole proprietorship or partnership.
Because LLC owners hold only limited liability for the debts and actions of the business, their personal assets are generally protected in the event of a lawsuit.
Corporations
Most people have heard of corporations, but many don’t understand exactly what they entail. In a corporation, the business entity is legally separate from its shareholders or owners.
Although corporations offer a high level of liability protection, they come with more formal requirements than other types of business entities. Corporations are commonly categorized as a “C-Corp” or an “S-Corp,” which are tax elections that result in different operational treatment of the entity.
