Burlington 802.864.0217       Middlebury 802.388.6356 Payments

Business Planning & Transactions

Business Planning & Transactions

Our attorneys possess a wealth of knowledge and experience to advise owners of businesses, large and small. We counsel and assist local Vermont business and farm owners, as well as clients whose businesses operate nationally and internationally. Whatever the matter—from business start-up to retirement planning—we work closely with you to foster strong long-term relationships and successful business practices.

Our business services include:

Business Formation & Start-up

Today there are a variety of organizational structures to choose from when establishing a business. We advise clients regarding the advantages of the various entities—including corporations, 5- corps, limited liability companies or LLCs, and partnerships—and work with their accountants and financial advisors to help them make the most appropriate choice for their needs.

Buying & Selling Businesses

We assist individuals and businesses in the acquisition and sale of businesses, of all kinds and of any scale, from sole proprietorships to multimillion-dollar enterprises. Our services include advice and assistance in the planning stage, negotiating and drafting the transaction documents, due diligence, and closing. Many of our attorneys have broad experience in business, real estate, estate planning, and litigation, which allows us to see the whole picture and to recognize and solve problems quickly and efficiently.

Financing

Our attorneys represent businesses in all manner of commercial financing, from traditional asset-backed lender financing to the raising of capital by equity sales. We work with lenders, accountants, and other professionals to accomplish our clients’ financing needs.

Real Estate

We represent clients for a range of real estate matters, including purchases, sales, development, permitting, and leasing.

Contracts

We negotiate and prepare virtually every contract a business might need, including: shareholder, operating, and partnership agreements; sales, distribution, and supplier contracts; covenants not to compete and non-disclosure agreements; joint venture agreements; employment agreements; and stock option and purchase agreements.

Employment

We can assist with all aspects of employment law, including preventive advice, compliance issues, employment agreements, retirement and other benefit plans, executive compensation, and employment litigation.

Intellectual Property

We provide intellectual property counseling to our wide spectrum of business clients, including trademark and copyright registration, addressing potential infringement claims, responding to cease and desist letters, and advising on privacy concerns. We also work with our clients to monetize or otherwise share their intellectual property rights with others through license agreements or asset purchase agreements, as well as to acquire the intellectual property rights of others through similar agreements.

Taxation

We advise businesses and individuals on income, estate and gift, sales and use, and property tax issues affecting business and personal tax status. Our team has experience in sophisticated tax planning, including employee stock option, retirement, and deferred compensation plans.

Succession

We provide counsel regarding the often-difficult issues of succession planning and the disputes that may arise. We understand the dynamics of family-owned businesses and long-term business partnerships that need to evolve.

Business Divorce

Whether you are in the middle of a divorce with a business at stake, or you are in a business partnership that needs to change, we have the experience to help you reach an agreement, or to litigate when an agreement seems out of reach. We understand the issues that often arise when life interferes with business.

Business Litigation

When disputes arise, our team of experienced trial attorneys can represent a business as a plaintiff or a defendant in all manner of business and commercial litigation.

National & International

Our membership in Meritas, the premier global alliance of independent law firms, allows us to provide our clients with experienced guidance, quickly and efficiently, throughout the country and around the world.