Business Litigation And Startups

Many business owners in Georgia don’t think twice about launching or operating the company without input from an attorney, only to realize later that there are multiple benefits from developing a relationship with a lawyer early on. Regardless of your position on the typical business life cycle, legal counsel is critical at every stage, including when you’re starting up. Of course, any time your company is facing litigation on either side of a dispute, solid representation is essential to protect your business and your rights as a stakeholder.

Our team at the Law Offices of Julie A. Rice is prepared to help you navigate the wide range of business-related issues that can creep up and disrupt operations. Even new startups need advice on formation, while established businesses can benefit from representation any time a dispute poses a threat to your company. Please contact us to schedule a consultation today to learn how an Atlanta, GA business litigation and startups lawyer is a valuable asset for your organization.

Common Business Litigation Matters for Startups and Established Companies

Even when you run a tight ship, there are many disputes in the corporate world that can lead to legal action in court. Business owners most frequently encounter such lawsuits as:

• Partner and shareholder conflicts, often over management issues, distribution of profits and losses, operations matters, and many others;
• Disputes in the employment context, where workers make allegations regarding wages, hours, discrimination, harassment, and other employer-employee issues;
• Regulatory compliance, if there are allegations that you and/or your company have violated federal, state, or local laws;
• Disagreements with third parties and vendors, particularly breach of contract issues;
• Personal injury claims, such as where employees are hurt in workplace accidents or customers suffer harm because of dangerous conditions on property;
• Violations of antitrust laws and statutes that restrict collusions, monopolies, and combinations in restraint of trade
• Disputes over rights to intellectual property; and,
• Many others.

Note from the above examples that any disagreement could place you in the position of a plaintiff OR defendant in litigation – depending on the circumstances. Instead of taking time and effort away from running your business, it’s essential to have a skilled attorney advocate for your company. Your lawyer can:

• Be involved with negotiations to resolve the matter out-of-court;
• Represent you in connection with mediation, arbitration, or other alternative dispute resolution options;
• File essential documents in court, including a Complaint or Answer as appropriate for a plaintiff or defendant, respectively;
• Participate in discovery efforts, such as requests for documents, written interrogatories, and depositions of key parties and witnesses;
• Appear in court for hearings, motions, status conferences, and other required appearances; and,
• Handle the trial of your case.

Unique Issues Facing Startups in Georgia

There are many requirements involved with launching a new business, since you must comply with federal, state, and local laws on formation. However, even before you get to the legal rules, you need to decide the right organization type for your company through the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office. Many entrepreneurs will focus on entities that offer protection for the personal interests of owners. A corporation, limited liability company (LLC), or limited liability partnership (LLP) will accomplish this objective. It’s possible to safeguard your own assets from the debts and legal obligations of the organization in most situations; you cannot protect your interests from fraudulent activities.

A lawyer can advise you on the business formation type that’s best suited to your preferences, objectives, industry, and other factors. Your attorney can also assist with:

• Drafting governance documents, such as bylaws for a corporation or an operating agreement for an LLC or LLP;
• Creating stakeholder agreements for owners, including prohibitions on transferring ownership without consent of others;
• Issuing stock or member certificates;
• Filing essential documents for taxes and licensing;
• Preparing employment agreements and restrictive covenants to protect intellectual property;
• Advising you on insurance and risk management; and,
• Many other important startup tasks.

Startup businesses are often reluctant to invest in an attorney if resources are limited, but legal counsel is crucial to laying the right foundation. Your company’s chances for success increase when you have a lawyer to get your company started off on the right foot.

Contact an Atlanta, GA Business Litigation and Startups Attorney About Your Situation

No matter how long you’ve been in business, you owe it to your company to retain solid legal representation to assist with lawsuits and start up concerns. At the Law Offices of Julie A. Rice, our team is experienced in all types of litigation that Georgia company owners may encounter. We’re also well-versed regarding the factors you need to consider when starting up a new business. For more information on our legal services, please contact our firm to speak to a skilled attorney. We can set up a consultation to review your circumstances and determine the best strategy for proceeding.