Business Law and Commercial Transactions

From start-ups to mergers and acquisitions to business succession and dissolution, I help guide clients in the selection of an appropriate business structure and its governance.  I also handle business purchases and sales from one owner shops to transactions exceeding $300,000,000, involving real estate, goodwill, international subsidiaries and proprietary information.  I also negotiate and draft owner, employee and consultant agreements; customer and renter contracts; and banking and finance arrangements.  I address the numerous issues, questions and problems that arise in the operation of all businesses regardless of the industry.  Understanding our clients’ goals and assembling the proper team to achieve them is the key to maintaining our long-term professional relationships.

My Business Law and Commercial Transactions experience includes:

  Incorporation – Entity Selection

•   Sole Proprietorships, Partnership, Limited Liability Entities, Corporations and Trusts
•   Sole Proprietorships
•   Corporate Records and Governance
•   Employment and Non-Compete Agreements
•   Buy/Sell and Shareholder Agreements
•   Contract Drafting and Disputes
•   Licenses and Franchises
•   Merges and Acquisitions
•   Succession Planning
•   Banking, Finance and Insurance

Litigation and Dispute Resolution

While most commercial and business disputes are resolved by settlement (as they should be), my approach is to ensure the other party knows we are prepared to take the matter to trial or ultimate resolution on behalf of our client if a reasonable accommodation cannot be reached, in order to maximize our client’s return.  My extensive experience in litigating and settling enumerable disputes enables me to bring creative and out of the box solutions to resolve complex disputes.  As a trained business mediator, I aim for a win/win solution whenever possible.  As with all problem solving for our clients, the costs and risks need to be objectively evaluated in light if potential gains and the value of the matter in issue.

My experience in Litigation and Dispute Resolution includes:

•   Contract Disputes and Enforcement
•   Unfair Competition
•   Protection of Trade Secrets and Intellectual Property
•   Injunctive Relief
•   Mediation and Arbitration
•   Consumer Fraud and Unfair Trade Actions
•   Leases and Real Estate Enforcement
•   Insurance Coverage and Claims
•   Conversion and Theft Claims
•   Warranty and Consumer Claims
•   Shareholder/Ownership Disputes
•   Construction
•   Condemnation and Real Estate
•   Personal Injuries and Disputes
•   Real Estate     
•   Property Damage

Construction and Real Estate Law

From land acquisition to development to construction to sale, I have been involved in a vast array of real estate and construction projects, issues and disputes.  While similar, commercial, industrial and residential real estate projects each have unique aspects and my experience with each allows me to bring both experience and ingenuity to the project and in addressing disputes.  Building projects, whether new construction or rehab, almost always generate problems for financiers, owners, general contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers and buyers, and our representation is driven by our clients’ role within the project and the parties’ joint desire to complete the project on time and on budget.  In leasing, knowing the law, the parties’ rights and duties, and our clients’ goals are critical in achieving the best result.

My Construction and Real Estate Law experience includes:

•   Purchases and Sales
•   Development and Land Use
•   Construction and Mortgage Lending
•   Lease Negotiation and Enforcement
•   Mechanics Lien Claims and Defenses
•   Construction Defects
•   Letters of Intent
•   Limited Partnerships
•   Public Works and Funding
•   Property and Project Insurance
•   Title Claims

General Counsel

My familiarity with our clients’ family, business and organization’s situation and history, as well as the general environment that each operates, helps me provide quick advice, counsel and assistance to our clients.  I also strive to timely alert them to legal and other developments that can be to their advantage or warn them of potential risks they can avoid.  Whether my advice or counsel is sufficient to address the situation or whether lawyers in our firm or other professionals need to be mustered, I remain involved in the situation to continue to counsel, advise and act as a sounding board through resolution.  I also provide monthly Business Briefs, timely Business Bulletins and other posts to provide our clients with information that could benefit their families, businesses, organization or associations.

My General Practice experience includes:

•   Family Businesses
•   Service and Manufacturing Businesses
•   Closely Held Businesses
•   Not-For-Profit Entities
•   Unincorporated Organizations and Associations
•   Homeowners Associations
•   Religious Entitles

Education, Background & Experience