Business Law
Business Contracts & Transactions.
The right contract, drafted before you need it, is one of the cheapest protections a business can buy. We draft and negotiate the full range, tailored to you, not pulled from a template.
A well-drafted agreement prevents disputes, defines expectations, and protects the value you have built. We prepare and negotiate the contracts a business actually relies on, grouped below by what they govern.
Ownership, equity & investment
- Profit sharing agreements, how partners share profits and what each must do to continue the arrangement, including what happens if a partner falls short.
- Buy-sell agreements, a cornerstone of business succession: sale price of stock, the process to sell, and who shareholders may sell to, for a smooth ownership transition.
- Shareholder agreements, the rights, regulations, and requirements attached to shares and what holders can and cannot do over time.
- Subscription agreements, let private investors purchase an interest, specifying the stock or membership interest, price, and qualifying attributes of the purchaser.
- Stock options, incentive or non-qualified options, with the number of shares, strike price, and vesting schedule, to lock in key talent.
- Stock purchase agreements, the amount, price, and holding requirements when becoming an owner, meeting IRS and state disclosure rules.
- Compensation agreements, how partners or businesses share in the profits of shared activity.
Employment & people
- Employee contracts, term, scope, pay, and the details of the relationship (including the crucial employee-vs-contractor determination).
- Independent contractor agreements, with the clauses needed to ensure the work product is the company’s property.
- Employee handbooks, the rule book covering conduct, policies, emergencies, and workplace protections, safeguarding employer and employee alike.
- Employee performance agreements, clear benchmarks, reviews, and goals so employees know how to improve.
- Management agreements, specific duties and responsibilities for managing people, properties, and assets.
Commercial & confidentiality
- Non-disclosure agreements and mutual NDAs, share confidential information securely, one-way or between both parties.
- Master service agreements with statement of work, reusable service contracts covering scope, payment, ownership, and indemnification, with only the SOW changing.
- Equipment lease agreements, defining the equipment, terms, parameters of use, and indemnification.
- Royalty agreements, terms of use and payment each time someone uses your music, video, service, or other work.
- Letters of intent, nonbinding outlines that lay the foundation for a final contract while due diligence proceeds.
To discuss your business with our attorneys, call (858) 755-6672 or request a consultation.
Common questions
Frequently asked
Do I really need custom contracts instead of templates?
Templates miss the terms specific to your business, the very terms that decide who owns what, who is liable, and what happens when something goes wrong. A contract tailored to your situation, drafted before a dispute arises, is one of the least expensive and most effective protections a business can have. That is what we draft and negotiate.
What is a buy-sell agreement and why does it matter?
A buy-sell agreement sets, in advance, the price and process for transferring an owner's interest, on death, disability, departure, or a sale. It prevents chaos and disputes when an owner exits and is a cornerstone of business succession planning, which is why we frequently pair the two.
This overview is general information, not legal or tax advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship?
This overview is general information, not legal or tax advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every situation is different and the law changes; consult a qualified attorney about your circumstances.
This website is for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. Every situation is different; please consult a qualified attorney about your specific circumstances.
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