Sound legal guidance reduces exposure to liability, ensures regulatory compliance, and clarifies governance and ownership rights. Preventive planning, clear agreements, and careful transaction management preserve company value, improve investor confidence, and streamline dispute resolution, enabling owners to focus on operations while reducing costly interruptions from legal uncertainty.
When one attorney coordinates governance, contracts, and transactions, risk management is consistent and cumulative. This approach prevents conflicting terms, ensures uniform compliance practices, and allows for efficient responses to regulatory changes or emerging disputes, protecting the business holistically.
Hatcher Legal brings a practical, client centered approach to business law, helping owners navigate formation, contracts, governance, and transactions. We focus on clear communication, careful documentation, and coordinating with accountants and advisors so legal solutions fit the specific needs and goals of each company.
We provide periodic reviews of governance documents, help implement corporate formalities, and advise on compliance matters to avoid penalties and preserve liability protections. Regular check ins help companies adapt documents to changes in operations, ownership, or law.
Business and corporate lawyers assist with entity formation, governance documents, contract drafting and negotiation, capital raises, mergers and acquisitions, compliance, and dispute resolution. They prepare articles, bylaws or operating agreements, shareholder documents, and transaction agreements that clarify rights and responsibilities among owners and counterparties. Counsel also advises on regulatory obligations, fiduciary duties, and governance processes to help owners manage risk. For transactional matters, lawyers coordinate due diligence, negotiate deal terms, and handle closing steps to effect ownership transfers or asset sales in accordance with client goals.
Cost depends on the scope of work, complexity, and region. Simple tasks such as filings or isolated contract reviews can be handled on a limited scope basis that is typically lower cost, while complex transactions or comprehensive representation involve more time and a larger fee arrangement. We provide cost estimates after an initial assessment. Many clients engage on a phased basis to manage budgets, starting with essential documents and adding services as needs evolve. We discuss fee structures, estimated hours, and potential alternatives to align cost with expected outcomes.
Choosing between an LLC and a corporation depends on tax treatment, investor expectations, management structure, and transferability of ownership. LLCs can offer flexible management and pass-through taxation, while corporations may be preferable for outside investment, equity issuance, or certain governance structures. Your long term goals and financing plans shape the right choice. We review ownership plans, capital needs, and tax considerations to recommend a structure that balances liability protection, administrative requirements, and investor attractiveness. Drafting tailored governance documents then implements those choices to reduce future friction.
Resolving shareholder or partner disputes often begins with reviewing governing documents to identify procedures for decision making, transfer restrictions, buyout mechanisms, and dispute resolution clauses. Early negotiation or mediation can preserve business relationships and avoid costly litigation by enforcing agreed mechanisms for resolution. When necessary, counsel pursues resolution through settlement, arbitration, or court proceedings while coordinating business operations to minimize disruption. Effective documentation and preplanned buy-sell agreements reduce the likelihood and expense of future disputes by clarifying expectations up front.
Due diligence for a business sale involves a comprehensive review of corporate records, contracts, intellectual property, employment matters, litigation history, tax filings, and regulatory compliance. The goal is to identify liabilities, validate representations, and inform negotiation of price, warranties, and indemnities to protect buyers and sellers. Sellers prepare by organizing records and addressing outstanding issues, while buyers use findings to allocate risk, request remedies, or adjust terms. Counsel structures deal documentation to reflect due diligence outcomes and preserve protections for the client post closing.
Incorporation or forming an LLC typically takes a few days to a few weeks depending on the state filing times, whether expedited service is used, and the complexity of the organizational documents. Preparing governing documents, obtaining EINs, and establishing bank accounts may add time depending on responsiveness and third party requirements. Advance planning and having necessary information ready accelerates the process. We assist with preparing and filing formation documents, drafting bylaws or operating agreements, and advising on initial corporate formalities to ensure a smooth start for the business.
Yes. We assist with mergers, acquisitions, asset sales, and related transactions by coordinating due diligence, drafting purchase agreements, negotiating terms, and handling closing mechanics and required filings. Effective transaction counsel anticipates regulatory issues, tax implications, and post closing obligations to achieve a successful transfer of value. Our approach aligns deal structure with client objectives, whether seeking a stock purchase, asset sale, or merger, and ensures documentation addresses representations, covenants, indemnities, and mechanisms to resolve post closing disputes if they arise.
Business succession planning integrates corporate governance with personal estate plans to ensure orderly transitions in ownership and leadership. Planning addresses transfer mechanisms, valuation methods, tax considerations, and management succession so the business continues operations and ownership transfers align with the owner’s intentions. Early planning offers time to implement buy-sell agreements, train successors, and structure transfers to reduce tax burdens. We coordinate with accountants and estate planners to create a cohesive plan that protects family and business interests while promoting continuity.
We represent clients in commercial disputes and litigation involving contract breaches, shareholder claims, and business torts, providing strategic guidance on litigation options and settlement alternatives. Litigation representation includes pleadings, discovery, motions, and trial preparation as needed to protect client interests and seek favorable resolutions. Whenever possible, we explore negotiation or mediation to resolve disputes efficiently while preserving business relationships. When court action is necessary, we prepare a coherent litigation strategy that aligns legal objectives with the client’s operational and financial priorities.
Protecting business assets often involves choosing an appropriate entity structure, maintaining corporate formalities, and implementing clear contracts and insurance coverage. Properly separating personal and business activities and documenting transactions reduces the risk of personal liability for business obligations. Additional measures include creating buy-sell arrangements, using contractual risk allocation, and aligning estate planning with business succession strategies. Regular compliance reviews and timely updates to governance documents further strengthen protections for owners and stakeholders.
