WHAT IS BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT?

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Business development is simply the development of a business. A business can be a brand new venture usually known as a start-up or restructuring or expansion of an existing business. In either type of business, a solid foundation may help it avoid more complicated legal matters in the future, ultimately saving you money and grief. Legal counsel is recommended when starting or expanding any business, because preparation is essential in the development of a business. And, development is the continuing process of perfecting that foundation for the future and growth of the business. ​

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WHAT TYPES OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT LEGAL SERVICES DO YOU PROVIDE?

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• Business Development - Prior to starting a new business or expanding an existing business, we highly recommend that you consult with an experienced business lawyer. Even if you are considered an expert in your industry, we recommend at least speaking with a qualified business lawyer as to your plans. The reason is that all businesses require involvement of the law in some form or another. And, it really starts at the beginning stages and continues throughout the existence of your business. Thus, a legal consultation (even a brief one hour one) at the beginning stages will offer a clearer path in achieving your business goals, thereby reducing potential pitfalls in the future.

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• Business Formation - This is where it all starts: the first part of your business foundation. What type of business entity is right for you? This is usually the first question that a potential business owner would consult with an experienced business lawyer. There are a number of articles dedicated to whether one should form a corporation vs. a LLC with good reason. It is fairly complicated. There was a time not too far ago, when the majority of our clients requested corporations due to the corporate veil, which protects personal assets of shareholders. However, with the birth of the LLC, there was a shift of clients who desired LLCs because it did not require the complications that came with corporate requirements while protecting personal assets of its members. But, the decision to incorporate over a LLC is not quite that simple and should not be based solely on whether you hate drafing corporate minutes. In fact, the formation decision should be based on the type of business you want to run as each formation method may favor particular business types.

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• Regulatory Compliance - This component is another part of your business foundation. It is certainly not the most glamorous part of your business, but certainly one of the most important. Why? Without the proper government permits and licenses, your business may be hit with numerous legal issues resulting in fines, penalties, or worse. As such, you need to fulfill all regulatory compliance required for your business prior to its operation.

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• Business Contracts - This is also an integral part of your business foundation. Your business transactions in the beginning stages will require written contracts to avoid any misunderstandings between you, a vendor, an employee, a contractor, etc. And, all other significant transactions should be executed with a written contract. Whether you draft a contract on your end or need to review one, our firm can handle that for you, including negotiations.

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• Intellectual Property - Although, our scope of representation includes trademarks and copyrights, our firm concentrates mainly on trademarks or servicemarks for our business clients. We recommend our clients to protect their intellectual property marks in the beginning stages of their business, only because it may be too late (or more costly) in the future.

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• General Counsel Services

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WHAT TYPES OF INDUSTRIES DO YOU REPRESENT?​

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• Restaurants

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• Food & Beverages

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• Entertainment

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• Fashion

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• Real Estate