Washington, DC, and Maryland Business Lawyers
Businesses of all types must interface with the law far more often than most business owners would prefer. Legal compliance, risk management, and the nuances of contract law can consume a great deal of time and distract from a business’s core focus. However, failing to stay on top of just one of these areas can be catastrophic for any business.
The business lawyers at Griffin & Griffin LLP know how to effectively manage all the legal burdens businesses face. Founding attorney Mark Griffin has practiced for over 49 years as a business lawyer. With experience on the board of two national banks and a children’s hospital, and as the personal developer of 4 hotels along with numerous other real estate development projects, he understands the legal needs of business owners firsthand. Business owners do not need to tackle their legal issues alone. Contact Griffin & Griffin LLP today to schedule a consultation.
What Is a Business Lawyer?
Simply put, a business lawyer is a licensed professional who provides advice and legal services at every point a business interfaces with the law. Business lawyers help companies remain in compliance with all relevant rules and regulations. They also ensure that the force of the law supports every business arrangement and contract. Business lawyers litigate when necessary to enforce agreements and defend a business’s legal rights.
What Does a Business Lawyer Do?
Businesses have a broad range of legal needs. Business lawyers must be proficient in servicing each of these needs. A business lawyer’s role can vary based on the type of business, where the company is in its lifecycle, and the immediate problems the business is dealing with.
Help Businesses Get Started
Starting a business is a complicated legal process. Companies must choose the correct legal form to promote their interests. There are also licensing, registration, and other compliance processes that businesses must go through before operating legally. Business partners must form partnership agreements. Liability risks should be analyzed. Employment and other forms of contracts need to be written. These considerations are all in addition to the other hard work that goes into a business’s success. A business lawyer will help you tackle the legal work so you have more time to focus on the day-to-day operations.
Manage Legal Compliance and Risk
Businesses must comply with all relevant laws and regulations. They also face legal risks in the form of potential tort litigation or government lawsuits. In the worst cases, poor compliance processes and a lack of risk management can lead to criminal liability for owners and executives. A business lawyer can help a company stay in compliance with the law. They can also thoroughly analyze the company’s legal risks and suggest actions and policies to help mitigate them.
Write and Negotiate Business Contracts
Professionally drafted contracts can help a business prosper. Poorly written ones can undermine a company’s business model and create unnecessary risks. From employment contracts to leases to purchase and sale agreements, every contract needs to be carefully negotiated. They also must be carefully written to reflect the agreement accurately. A business attorney can help you negotiate the best deals for your company. They will also ensure the contracts are well-written and don’t create unacceptable risks.
Resolve Partnership Disputes
Partnerships can be one of the most successful forms of business. When partners have solid relationships and work together, there are no limits to what they can achieve. When partnerships go wrong, however, the disputes can jeopardize the entire business. Whether acting as a mediator or a representative for one partner, a partnership dispute attorney can help you navigate the complex process of resolving partnership disputes.
File for and Manage Intellectual Property
Strong intellectual property rights can help a business succeed in competitive markets. Patents, trademarks, and copyrights help protect your technology and brand from unscrupulous competitors. Inadequate patents and overly broad copyrights and trademarks can undermine the purpose of intellectual property. A business attorney can help you file for intellectual property rights and vigorously defend them when they are violated.
Manage Contract Disputes
Sometimes parties disagree over what a business contract entails. These disagreements can stop projects in their tracks. A business dispute lawyer can help a company resolve these disputes quickly, often without litigation. When parties can not reach a negotiated outcome, an attorney can bring the opposing party to court to enforce a business’s contractual rights.
Litigation
Unfortunately, sometimes litigation is unavoidable. Whether litigation is necessary to enforce a contract or to defend against a lawsuit, these moments can be among the most significant existential challenges a business will ever face. An experienced business attorney will guide an individual or company through the litigation process and fiercely protect their rights.
Help Businesses Expand Through Mergers and Acquisitions
Mergers and acquisitions are a great way for businesses to expand quickly. A high-quality acquisition can spring a company forward and open up new business opportunities. Several legal considerations must be skillfully navigated throughout any merger or acquisition process. A business lawyer can help a company choose the best way to complete the transaction and mitigate any risks that might come up.
Help Business Owners Sell Their Business
Many business owners reach the point that they recognize it is time to move on. Whether you are selling a family business to your children or looking for another business to acquire your company, an experienced Maryland and Washington, DC business lawyer can help.
How Much Does a Business Lawyer Cost?
The cost of a business lawyer will depend largely on the role the attorney is asked to play and/or the transaction involved. That being said, individuals and companies regularly hire business attorneys because they are a force multiplier and produce a benefit that far outweighs the costs. At Griffin & Griffin LLP, we work closely with our clients so that they fully understand the costs and benefits of working with us upfront.
Contact Griffin & Griffin LLP For Your Business Needs
Griffin & Griffin LLP is here to help regardless of your company’s needs. Our attorneys have years of experience handling a vast array of business legal matters. Working in the Washington, DC, and Maryland legal markets, we strive to provide a comprehensive set of legal services for businesses of all sizes. Contact Griffin & Griffin LLP today and schedule a consultation.