Legal Guidance for Every Stage of Business
Building and running a business requires decisions about ownership, contracts, financing, real estate, taxes, people, and long-term planning. At Ligris, we advise entrepreneurs, business owners, executives, investors, developers, and closely held companies through the legal and financial issues that arise at every stage of the business lifecycle.
Our approach is practical and personal. We take the time to understand how your business operates, what you are trying to accomplish, and where risk may be hiding. We explain your options clearly and help you move forward with a strategy that supports your broader business goals.
Your focus is building and running the business. Ours is helping make sure the legal, real estate, tax, and immigration pieces work together.
Start, Grow, and Transact With Confidence
Strong businesses start with sound legal foundations. Our Business Law & Transactions attorneys advise on entity selection and formation, ownership and governance structures, operating, shareholder, and partnership agreements, contracts, licensing and regulatory matters, financing, and commercial relationships. As the company grows, we continue to advise on new owners, strategic relationships, acquisitions, sales, and other significant business transactions.
Put Commercial Real Estate to Work for Your Business
For many businesses, real estate is one of their largest expenses or most valuable assets. Our Commercial Real Estate attorneys represent businesses, investors, property owners, landlords, tenants, and developers in Massachusetts commercial real estate acquisitions, sales, leasing, development, financing, refinancing, title, and related matters. Whether you are negotiating a lease for a first location, acquiring an investment property, developing a project, refinancing an existing asset, or selling commercial property, we help you evaluate both the legal and business implications of the transaction.
Make Tax Part of the Strategy
Tax strategy should be part of business strategy. Ligris Tax Services, LLC provides business tax planning, advisory, accounting, compliance, and federal and state tax return preparation for businesses and their owners. The team advises on entity structure, corporate and partnership tax matters, compensation, acquisitions and sales, reorganizations, real estate transactions, succession planning, and other decisions with meaningful tax consequences.
Build and Retain International Talent
For employers that rely on international talent, U.S. immigration law can be both a workforce issue and a business strategy. Our Immigration Law attorneys advise employers and professionals on employment-based visas and sponsorship matters, visa extensions and changes of status, immigration documentation, and related compliance. We consider the legal requirements together with the employer’s business needs, including timing, workforce planning, and the ability to recruit and retain key talent.
Protect What You Have Built and Plan for What Comes Next
Every business owner eventually has to think about the future of the company. A sale to a third party, transition to family members, partner buyout, ownership change, or long-term succession plan can involve business law, estate planning, tax, and real estate considerations.
Our Business Law, Trusts & Estates, and Tax Services teams can work together to help owners evaluate succession and exit strategies, structure ownership transitions, address estate planning considerations, and understand the tax consequences of transferring or selling a business. Planning before a transition is imminent can provide more options and greater control over the outcome.
Why Ligris?
Business decisions rarely stay within a single legal practice area. Entity structure affects taxes. A lease or acquisition may affect financing. Bringing in a new owner changes governance. Succession planning can affect an owner’s estate plan and family wealth. At Ligris, our attorneys and tax professionals collaborate when those issues overlap, so decisions can be evaluated as part of the larger business picture rather than in isolation.
Just as importantly, we take it personally. We want to understand how your company operates, where you are trying to go, and what success looks like to you. We provide practical advice, clear communication, and coordinated guidance designed to help you make confident decisions and keep your business moving forward.
FAQs
What types of businesses does Ligris represent?
Ligris works with entrepreneurs, small and closely held businesses, investors, developers, property owners, and other organizations across a range of industries. Our Business Law practice has advised businesses including restaurants, retailers, medical practices, construction companies, and other privately held enterprises. Our attorneys and tax professionals tailor their advice to the business, transaction, and goals involved.
What legal services does Ligris provide for businesses?
Ligris advises businesses on entity formation and governance, contracts, financing, business acquisitions and sales, commercial real estate and leasing, employment-based immigration, ownership transitions, succession planning, and related business matters. Ligris Tax Services, LLC also provides business tax planning, advisory, accounting, compliance, and tax return preparation.
When should a business involve an attorney?
Earlier is often better. Speaking with counsel before forming an entity, signing a major contract or lease, taking on financing, adding an owner, hiring international talent, acquiring or selling a business, or completing another significant transaction can help identify risks and alternatives before decisions become difficult or expensive to change.
Can Ligris help my business buy, sell, or lease commercial real estate?
Yes. Our Commercial Real Estate attorneys advise businesses, investors, developers, landlords, tenants, and property owners on acquisitions, sales, leasing, development, financing, refinancing, title, and related Massachusetts commercial real estate matters.
Can Ligris help me buy or sell a business?
Yes. Our Business Law & Transactions attorneys advise buyers, sellers, and business owners on transaction structure, due diligence, negotiations, purchase and sale agreements, ownership transitions, financing considerations, and closing. When appropriate, our attorneys can coordinate with Ligris Tax Services, LLC to evaluate the tax consequences of the transaction.
Does Ligris provide tax services for businesses?
Yes. Ligris Tax Services, LLC provides tax planning, advisory, accounting, compliance, and federal and state tax return preparation for businesses and their owners. The team also advises on corporate and partnership tax matters, entity structure, acquisitions and sales, reorganizations, real estate transactions, and succession planning.
Can Ligris help businesses with employment-based immigration?
Yes. Our Immigration Law attorneys advise employers on U.S. employment-based visas and sponsorship matters, visa extensions and changes of status, immigration documentation, and related employer compliance. We also consider timing and workforce needs when developing an immigration strategy.
Can Ligris help with business succession planning?
Yes. Business succession can involve business law, estate planning, tax, ownership, and real estate considerations. Our Business Law, Trusts & Estates, and Tax Services teams can collaborate to help owners evaluate family succession, partner or management transitions, third-party sales, and other exit strategies.
What happens when my business needs help from more than one practice area?
That is where Ligris’ multidisciplinary approach can be especially valuable. When a matter involves several legal or tax issues, attorneys and tax professionals across the firm can coordinate strategy and communication rather than requiring the business owner to manage several disconnected advisors.
Why should my business attorneys and tax professionals work together?
Many business decisions have both legal and tax consequences. Entity formation, compensation, acquisitions, sales, real estate transactions, ownership changes, and succession planning are common examples. Coordinating legal and tax advice can identify issues earlier and help ensure both strategies support the same business objectives.