SMALL BUSINESS LEGAL COUNSEL

 

Attorney Adam D. Roark began the Roark Law Firm with the belief that clients should be able to receive all-inclusive legal counsel quickly and efficiently. Large corporations often employ their own in-house counsel to advise and direct management on the implementation of corporate strategy; manage the daily legal function of the corporation, and when needed, oversee the work of outside counsel. Most small businesses don’t have a need to have attorneys on staff acting as in-house counsel, nor can they afford to. For small businesses, The Roark Law Firm often acts as general counsel, providing the same legal direction to business owners and their management, as well as providing comprehensive strategies dedicated to the growth of the business.

 

The benefits of having the Roark Law Firm serve as a business’s general counsel extend beyond simple efficiency and effectiveness.  The Roark Law Firm has experience guiding clients through every phase in a business’s life from the moment of birth to the last day of operation.  The Roark Law Firm will help you navigate the legal challenges and risks of operating a business in today’s changing environment while also providing a proactive legal approach to the expansion of a business.

 

 

The Roark Law Firm routinely assists small and large business clients in the following areas:

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• Contract review.

• Drafting contracts and other transactional documents.

• Drafting and reviewing non-disclosure and non-competition agreements.

• Drafting letters of intent, purchase agreements, promissory notes, and all other

necessary documents to complete a purchase/sale transaction.

• Drafting and reviewing employment contracts.

• Negotiating contracts and/or fair purchase prices, seeking the guidance of a team

of experts when necessary.

• Providing guidance and feedback on the likely legal impact and risks presented by

proposed transactions.

• Succession Planning.

• Employee retention strategies and stock vesting arrangements.

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STARTING A BUSINESS

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Deciding how to structure and incorporate a business is one of the most important decisions made when starting or reorganizing a business. Typically, shielding individuals from personal liability is the primary purpose for forming most entities. However, other factors, like how a business and its owners/shareholders are taxed, how the business can expand, and recently, employee health insurance issues, also play a part in determining how a business is formed. Before a business begins operating, it is important to incorporate with the Florida Department of State’s Division of Corporations. An experienced business law attorney can help navigate the entity formation process and ensure the business’s incorporation aligns with the future goals of the business. 

 

The Roark Law Firm routinely handles business formations and reorganizations in Florida. Located in Gainesville, Florida, attorney Adam D. Roark will help you determine which business entity structure is appropriate for your goals.

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The types of Florida business entities we help structure and incorporate include:

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• Limited Liability Company (LLC)

• S Corporation (S Corp) 

• C Corporation (C Corp)

• Sole Proprietorship

• “Doing Business As” (DBA)

• Not-for-profit Corporations (501(c)(3))

• Joint Venture

• Professional Corporations and Other Entities

 

Selecting and forming the proper business entity is only the first step in the life of a business.  Once formed, businesses and their owners often rush to enter into a whole host of contracts and agreements with customers, clients, vendors, and employees.  Unfortunately, many small business owners, entrepreneurs, and even corporations don’t have an attorney review their business contracts until after an issue occurs. It is even more unfortunate that businesses can often avoid many of these issues with a diligent review and subsequent negotiation of business contracts before entering into them. Having an attorney review, advise, and negotiate the terms of a contract prior to its execution is pivotal to preventing a business or individual from entering into an unfair contract while also preserving business relationships necessary for success. When drafting or reviewing business contracts, our focus is always to effectively address our client’s needs and concerns in a timely and cost-efficient manner.