Effective legal support reduces exposure to liability, clarifies ownership and governance, and preserves value during transactions. From structuring a company to negotiating shareholder agreements and resolving disputes, professional legal counsel safeguards assets, aligns expectations among parties, and streamlines regulatory compliance so businesses can operate with confidence in a changing marketplace.
Regular legal oversight identifies exposures early, clarifies contractual obligations, and ensures compliance with evolving laws. Predictable legal practices and documentation reduce uncertainty for owners, lenders, and partners, which in turn supports better decision making and preserves business continuity during change.
Hatcher Legal, PLLC combines commercial knowledge with attentive client service to provide clear, actionable legal guidance. We focus on practical solutions that address immediate needs while preparing businesses for future opportunities and challenges through carefully drafted documents and strategic counseling.
When disputes arise, we evaluate negotiation and mediation options and prepare litigation strategies when necessary. Our goal is to resolve conflicts in a manner that preserves business value and relationships while protecting client rights through efficient legal processes.
Forming an entity is advisable before signing significant contracts, hiring employees, or accepting investment because it helps separate personal assets from business liabilities, creates clearer tax reporting, and establishes governance structures for decision making. Early formation also makes it easier to document ownership stakes and capital contributions. If you operate as a sole proprietor without significant risk or third-party funding, immediate formation may be optional, but establishing an LLC or corporation early often reduces long-term risk and simplifies later investment or sale by having clear ownership and governance documents in place.
The choice between an LLC and a corporation depends on tax preferences, management structure, investor expectations, and future plans for sale or public offering. LLCs offer flexible profit allocation and pass-through taxation, while corporations can facilitate multiple classes of stock and certain investor structures preferred by some purchasers. Evaluate whether you expect outside investment, want flexibility in profit allocation, or plan for an eventual sale. We coordinate with tax advisors to model outcomes and recommend the entity type that aligns with your goals and simplifies governance and future transactions.
An operating agreement should define ownership percentages, management rights and responsibilities, capital contribution requirements, profit and loss allocation, voting procedures, and processes for admitting or removing members. It should also include buy-sell provisions, transfer restrictions, and dispute resolution mechanisms to provide predictability and protect minority interests. Well-drafted provisions addressing valuation methods, triggering events, and deadlock resolution reduce the chance of costly disputes. Tailoring the agreement to the business’s operational realities and anticipated changes ensures it remains useful as the company grows or ownership evolves.
Buy-sell agreements set rules for how ownership interests are transferred after events like death, disability, retirement, or voluntary departure. They define valuation methods, purchase triggers, and funding mechanisms so remaining owners can plan for orderly transfers and avoid unwelcome outside ownership changes. By establishing predefined procedures and valuation approaches, buy-sell agreements reduce uncertainty, help preserve business continuity, and provide liquidity plans for owners who need to exit, which supports stability during transitions.
Buying or selling a business typically involves valuation, due diligence, negotiation of terms, drafting transaction documents, and managing closing logistics. Buyers review contracts, financials, liabilities, and regulatory compliance while sellers prepare disclosures and negotiate representations, warranties, and indemnities to allocate risk. Legal counsel coordinates document preparation, assists with negotiation strategy, and handles closing mechanics such as escrow, transfer of licenses, and title matters. Addressing tax and succession issues ahead of closing improves outcomes and reduces exposure after the transaction completes.
Update corporate documents when ownership changes, when you bring in investors, before significant transactions, or when tax laws and regulations evolve. Periodic reviews also help ensure governance processes reflect actual practices and that officer and director roles are properly documented. Routine reviews every few years or at major business milestones prevent surprises and maintain alignment between operations and legal frameworks. Proactive updates protect owners’ rights, ensure compliance, and make future transactions easier by keeping records and agreements current.
Prepare for potential disputes by documenting roles, decision-making processes, and exit procedures in governance documents, and including clear dispute resolution and valuation methods. Early attention to these issues reduces ambiguity and provides structured paths for resolution should disagreements arise. When disputes occur, consider negotiation or mediation to preserve business relationships and value. If litigation becomes necessary, timely representation focused on efficient dispute resolution and preservation of assets helps protect business continuity and owner interests.
Due diligence identifies legal and financial risks before a transaction, including contract obligations, pending litigation, employee issues, and compliance gaps. Thorough due diligence enables buyers to negotiate protections, price adjustments, or indemnities and helps sellers address issues before they affect deal value. A structured due diligence process reduces the likelihood of post-closing surprises by clarifying liabilities and confirming representations. Counsel organizes document requests, evaluates findings, and recommends contractual protections based on the risks discovered during the review.
Protecting confidentiality and trade secrets begins with clear agreements that define proprietary information, restrict use and disclosure, and set remedies for breaches. Employment and contractor agreements should include confidentiality and assignment provisions to ensure business controls over intellectual property created for the company. Implement practical safeguards such as access limitations, password controls, and employee training to support contractual protections. Legal provisions combined with operational controls create a layered approach that strengthens the enforceability of confidentiality protections.
Fees for business matters are structured to reflect the scope of work; options include flat fees for discrete transactions, hourly rates for complex or open-ended matters, and alternative arrangements for ongoing advisory services. We discuss anticipated costs and billing structures during the initial consultation to align expectations. For larger transactions, counsel may use phased engagements with defined deliverables and budgets. Transparent billing practices and periodic updates ensure clients understand costs and receive predictable value from legal services tailored to their needs.
