Strong legal counsel helps prevent costly disputes, protect owner interests, and create predictable governance structures. Business and corporate legal services provide clarity on entity choice, capital structure, contractual obligations, and regulatory compliance, which together reduce risk, support investment, and make companies more attractive to partners, lenders, and acquirers.
Holistic legal planning identifies potential liabilities and implements consistent controls across contracts, employment practices, and corporate governance. By anticipating common sources of dispute and addressing them in advance, owners reduce the likelihood of costly litigation and protect company assets and reputation.
Clients engage Hatcher Legal for attentive counsel that aligns legal solutions with business objectives. We focus on responsive communication, pragmatic drafting, and proactive planning that reduces legal surprises while protecting owner interests and company value through all phases of growth and change.
We recommend regular reviews of corporate documents, compliance procedures, and key contracts to adapt to growth or regulatory changes. Ongoing maintenance helps avoid technical defaults, preserve liability protections, and keep the company organized for future transactions.
Choosing an entity depends on factors such as liability protection, tax treatment, management structure, investor plans, and administrative requirements. For example, an LLC offers flexible management and pass-through taxation for many small businesses, while a corporation may be preferred for businesses seeking outside investment or complex equity structures. Evaluating these trade-offs requires reviewing expected revenue, ownership composition, financing needs, and exit strategy. We assess your goals and recommend an entity choice that balances liability protection, tax efficiency, and governance simplicity to support your business plan.
Equity and control arrangements should reflect each owner’s capital contribution, ongoing role, and risk tolerance. Clear agreements covering voting rights, decision-making authority, profit distribution, and dilution protection help align expectations and prevent conflicts as the business develops. Documenting these terms in shareholder or operating agreements provides enforceable rules for transfers, buyouts, and major decisions. Regular review ensures that ownership arrangements remain consistent with the company’s growth, financing rounds, and succession planning.
An operating agreement or bylaws should outline ownership percentages, management and voting structures, procedures for meetings, and rules for transferring interests. They also typically address capital contributions, profit distribution, dispute resolution mechanisms, and processes for amending governance documents. Including buy-sell provisions, decision thresholds for significant actions, and clear roles for managers or directors reduces uncertainty and provides a roadmap for resolving disagreements or making strategic decisions without disruption.
Buy-sell agreements are advisable when multiple owners share equity, when succession is anticipated, or when predictable outcomes are needed in the event of death, disability, or departure. These agreements define valuation methods, triggering events, and purchase mechanics to avoid contested transfers and sudden ownership changes. Preparing buy-sell provisions early protects remaining owners and the business by establishing predetermined procedures for transfers and funding mechanisms. Without clear rules, transfers can lead to disputes, management disruptions, and value erosion during critical transitions.
Handling a shareholder dispute often begins with contract review to determine rights under the governing documents and any applicable buy-sell provisions. Many disputes can be resolved through negotiation, mediation, or structured buyouts to preserve business continuity and minimize litigation costs. If resolution is not possible through alternative methods, litigation may be necessary to enforce contractual rights or fiduciary duties. Early assessment and targeted negotiation strategies can frequently settle disputes before they escalate into protracted court battles.
Due diligence in a sale examines corporate records, contracts, employee matters, tax obligations, intellectual property, pending litigation, and regulatory compliance. The objective is to identify liabilities, confirm representations, and determine appropriate pricing, indemnities, and escrow arrangements to allocate risk between buyer and seller. Scope and depth depend on deal size and complexity, and findings often shape negotiated terms such as purchase price adjustments, representations and warranties, and indemnity caps to ensure the parties fairly share potential post-closing exposures.
Owner personal asset protection relies on maintaining appropriate entity structures, observing corporate formalities, and avoiding commingling personal and business funds. Proper formation and governance documents help ensure limited liability shields remain enforceable and reduce exposure to personal claims against owners. Additional measures include contractual indemnities, liability insurance, and prudent financial practices that separate personal and business obligations. Periodic reviews and compliance with formalities further strengthen protective measures for owners and their families.
Common M&A issues include discrepancies revealed in due diligence, valuation disagreements, allocation of indemnity risk, and transition of key employees or contracts. Addressing these issues early through thorough review and clear draft agreements reduces surprises and fosters smoother closings. Regulatory approvals, tax consequences, and integration planning are additional concerns that benefit from coordinated legal and financial planning. Well-structured representations, warranties, and transition provisions help mitigate post-closing disputes and preserve transaction value.
Corporate records should be updated whenever significant events occur, such as ownership transfers, capital contributions, changes in directors or managers, and major transactions. Regular maintenance of meeting minutes, resolutions, and filings preserves liability protections and demonstrates adherence to governance obligations. We recommend periodic reviews to confirm that records reflect current operations and compliance requirements. Staying proactive with record-keeping reduces the risk of technical challenges to limited liability protections and eases future transactions or financing efforts.
Yes, a business can often change structure after formation, such as converting an LLC to a corporation or reorganizing ownership arrangements. The right path depends on state laws, tax effects, creditor considerations, and the company’s financing and exit plans. Conversions and reorganizations require careful planning, agreement amendments, and filings to ensure legal continuity and favorable tax outcomes. Legal counsel evaluates the benefits and consequences and guides the process to minimize disruption and preserve business value.
