Every business has a story, and every business owner has a vision for where it should go next. Whether you are launching a new venture, managing growth, negotiating an important contract, buying or selling a business, or planning your eventual exit, the legal decisions you make can have a lasting impact on your success.
At Ligris, our business law attorneys advise entrepreneurs, small and closely held businesses, investors, and business owners throughout the business lifecycle. We combine practical legal advice with an understanding of the business considerations behind each decision, helping clients manage risk, pursue opportunities, and move forward with confidence.
Start With a Strong Foundation
Starting a business is exciting. Choosing an entity, negotiating ownership arrangements, obtaining licenses, establishing governance procedures, and putting contracts in place? Maybe slightly less exciting.
We help business owners get those decisions right from the beginning.
Our attorneys advise on entity selection and business formation, organizational documents, operating and shareholder agreements, ownership structures, licensing, and regulatory requirements. We also help put contracts and agreements in place that clearly define important business relationships before misunderstandings arise.
A little thoughtful planning at the beginning can prevent a lot of expensive problem-solving later.
Grow With Confidence
Growth creates opportunity. It also creates new legal questions.
New employees, customers, vendors, leases, financing arrangements, locations, and strategic relationships can all change a company’s legal and financial risk. We help business owners evaluate those issues as they arise and develop practical solutions that support continued growth.
Because we take the time to understand your business and long-term goals, our advice goes beyond the document or transaction immediately in front of you. We help you consider how today’s decisions may affect where you want the business to be tomorrow.
Navigate Business Transactions Strategically
Buying another company, bringing in a new owner, restructuring a business, or selling what you have spent years building are significant decisions. They can also involve complicated financial, tax, real estate, and legal considerations.
Our business law attorneys advise buyers, sellers, and business owners throughout acquisitions, sales, ownership transitions, and other significant transactions. We help evaluate deal structures, conduct due diligence, negotiate terms, prepare transaction documents, identify potential risks, and guide the matter through closing.
The goal is not simply to get the deal done. It is to get the right deal done.
Put Real Estate to Work for Your Business
For many businesses, real estate is one of their largest investments and most important strategic assets.
Ligris brings substantial experience in commercial real estate to business transactions involving the acquisition, sale, leasing, development, management, and financing of property. Our business and commercial real estate attorneys work together to help clients evaluate both the legal details of the transaction and its broader business implications.
One team looking at the whole picture. Fewer things falling between the cracks.
Plan for What Comes Next
Eventually, every business owner has to answer an important question: What’s next?
That may mean transferring ownership to the next generation, selling to a partner or third party, restructuring ownership, or developing a longer-term succession strategy.
We help business owners think through those decisions before a transition is imminent. When succession planning involves estate planning, tax considerations, real estate, or other issues, we collaborate with colleagues across Ligris and Ligris Tax Services to develop a coordinated strategy.
Planning your exit before you’re standing at the exit tends to work better.
Our Business Law & Transactions Practice Advises On:
- Ownership structure planning
- Entity selection and business formation
- LLCs, corporations, and partnerships
- Preparation and filing of organizational documents
- Operating, shareholder, and partnership agreements
- Corporate governance matters
- Commercial contracts
- Vendor, supplier, customer, and strategic partner agreements
- Financing transactions
- Commercial real estate acquisitions and sales
- Commercial lease agreements
- Business acquisitions and sales
- Asset purchases and sales
- Partner and ownership transitions
- Business succession and exit planning
- Licensing, zoning, and regulatory compliance
Why Ligris for Business Law & Transactions?
Good business lawyers understand the law. Great business lawyers understand the client behind the business.
We build long-term relationships by taking the time to understand how your company operates, where you want it to go, how you make decisions, and what matters most to you. That allows us to provide advice that is strategic, practical, and tailored to your business rather than simply reacting to the legal issue of the day.
Business decisions also rarely fit neatly into a single practice area. A transaction may involve real estate. A succession plan may involve trusts and estates. An acquisition or sale may have significant tax consequences. When those issues overlap, our business attorneys collaborate with colleagues across Ligris and Ligris Tax Services to provide coordinated guidance.
The goal is simple: practical advice, fewer surprises, and a legal strategy that supports where you want your business to go.
FAQs
What does a business law attorney do?
A business law attorney advises companies and business owners on legal issues throughout the business lifecycle, including formation, ownership, governance, contracts, commercial transactions, regulatory matters, financing, acquisitions, sales, and succession planning.
When should I talk to a business lawyer?
Ideally, before an important decision is made. Early legal advice can help identify risks, evaluate options, structure transactions appropriately, and prevent problems that may be more difficult or expensive to address later.
What legal documents does a new business need?
The documents depend on the entity structure, ownership, industry, and operations. Common documents include formation and organizational documents, operating or shareholder agreements, licenses and permits, commercial contracts, and agreements with customers, vendors, employees, or strategic partners.
Can Ligris help me buy or sell a business?
Yes. We advise buyers and sellers on transaction structure, due diligence, negotiations, purchase and sale agreements, related real estate matters, and closing. When appropriate, we also coordinate with Ligris Tax Services so tax considerations can be evaluated as part of the transaction.
Can you help with commercial real estate matters related to my business?
Yes. Ligris advises businesses on commercial real estate acquisitions, sales, leasing, development, management, and financing. Our business and commercial real estate attorneys can work together when a transaction involves both business and property considerations.
Can Ligris help with business succession planning?
Yes. We help business owners evaluate ownership transitions, partner buyouts, family succession, business sales, and other exit strategies. When succession involves estate planning or tax considerations, we can coordinate with our Trusts & Estates attorneys and Ligris Tax Services.
Why should my business lawyer, estate planning attorney, and tax advisor work together?
Major business decisions frequently have legal, tax, estate planning, and real estate consequences. Coordinating those disciplines can identify issues earlier, reduce conflicting advice, and help ensure each part of the strategy supports the same long-term goals.