Starting and running a business is exciting, yet overwhelming. Whether you need to navigate twists and turns, or need an LLC formation, there are many small working parts to keep in mind. You don’t want to forget the important legal elements that are necessary for every Tampa Bay business. With our flat-fee based pricing, you can feel confident that you’re choosing the expert business attorney in Pinellas County.
Business owners trust Arvanitakis Law Group to protect their assets with business legal essentials such as contract negotiation, mediation, legal agreements, and much more.
Learn about the top five mistakes in business contracts.
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With the following business legal necessities and more, business owners trust Arvanitakis Law Group to protect their assets, reputation, and brand:
Outline the Course of Your Business with Operating Agreements
No matter how much planning goes into a business, there are inevitable twists and turns that you will encounter. An operating agreement outlines how your business will navigate these situations. An operating agreement is necessary to keep your business running smoothly, despite any obstacles that you find along the way.
An operating agreement will help you with the following:
- Keep account of every aspect, ranging from business creation
- Management structure, which helps to provide clarity and consistency in the organization’s operations. This can help reduce the risk of errors.
- Profit and losses in business, and how to handle both
- Employee compensation, determining the base pay and much more
- Decision-making powers and the staff members responsible for them
Buy or Sell Your Business the Right Way with Buy-Sell Agreements
A buy-sell agreement or a buy-sell contract is a legal contract between two or more people. It allows one party to buy out another business, property, share, or services.
Buy-sell agreements can be used for a number of purposes, including:
- Selling business assets
- Selling shares in a company
- Selling property
- Transferring ownership of services
Where the terms of the agreement are clear and well-defined, buy-sell agreements can provide great value for all parties involved. They can be used to help smooth ownership transitions, reduce transaction costs and ensure that both parties end up with something they want after the deal is complete. Arvanitakis Law Group can help with your buy-sell agreement.
Set Expectations with Terms and Services Agreements
Terms and service agreements (T&SAs) are an important part of any business relationship. T&SAs govern the terms of a contract between two parties, including what each party is expected to do and what each party is entitled to receive. Allow Arvanitakis Law Group to assist you with:
- Terms and Service agreement offer protection to both parties
- They provide an opportunity for you to establish specific rules
- You can use them to describe how your product or service should be used
- It will describe the steps that happen if there is a contract termination
- Your T&SAs will set overall expectations for both parties
Airtight Contract Review and Negotiation
Business contracts are legal documents that outline the terms and conditions under which two or more parties transact with one another. They come in a variety of formats, each of which has its own unique set of rules. The main purpose of a contract is to provide protection and fairness to both parties. An experienced business attorney can help guide you in the following ways:
- Never draft a contract on your own or sign one without first reviewing it with an attorney
- Do not use a free business contract that you find off the internet.
- Ambiguities in contracts are a segway to litigation.
- Contract negotiation can help ensure each party gets what they want or need.
We take pride in drafting clear and unambiguous contracts. Arvanitakis Law Group always keeps our clients’ best interests in mind.
Partner with Professionals by Using an Independent Contractor Agreement
An independent contractor agreement is a contract between two or more parties. It outlines the rights and responsibilities of each party. Independent contractor agreements are often used in situations where two or more parties are working together on a project. An example is a construction company hiring an architect and a subcontractor.
Arvanitakis Law Group can help you create an independent contractor agreement for your specific situation. Our clients use these agreements for some of the following reasons:
- Ensure both parties have all the appropriate information under contractor
- These agreements can cover a variety of areas, such as the rights and obligations of both the contractor and the company
- You need to consider your specific circumstances and laws before entering into an independent contractor agreement
- A good independent contractor agreement can help protect you if something goes awry down the line
Non-Compete and Non-Solicitation Agreements
Whether you have employees or subcontractors, you may find yourself needing non-compete and/or non-solicitation agreements. When someone parts ways with your company, you want to be sure that they do not pass along any type of trade secrets. You also do not want them taking customers away from you. Both of these are realistic situations if you do not properly protect yourself. Arvanitakis Law Group can get you the protection you need with the following:
- Non-compete agreements are contracts that restrict an employee from working for a competitor. It may also include employees from their previous employer in the same industry, geographic area, or similar business.
- A non-compete agreement typically requires the employee to refrain from competing with his or her employer for a certain period of time after termination.
- Non-solicitation agreements are contracts that prevent an employee from soliciting business or customers while they are still employed by the company.
Get Results Fast with Demand Letters
A non-response from a business or customer is frustrating and time-consuming. Sometimes, a strongly worded letter on an attorney’s letterhead is enough to do the trick and get the results you seek. Our clients use demand letters with our help for the following reasons:
- Demand letters can help you collect money
- They can be used as formal warning letters
- You can use them to request information that the second party will not provide
Our office can assist with drafting your demand and helping resolve a dispute without prolonged litigation.
Prepare for the Unexpected with Business Succession Planning
No one wants to think about the death or serious illness of a business partner. Death is inevitable, and being prepared can help your business smoothly transition. Arvanitakis Law Group helps with business succession planning. The goal is to avoid probate and planning for the event when a business partner dies. You can use business succession planning in the following ways:
- Business Succession Planning can help you minimize the impact of unexpected events like retirement, illness and death on your business
- It can also help you to prepare for potential future growth opportunities and succession planning, which can be a key factor in ensuring that your business continues to thrive for years to come
- By planning ahead, you can reduce the risk of business failure due to unforeseen circumstances
Contact Arvanitakis Law Group for your business drafting needs.
Set Up for Success with Employee Handbooks
The importance of creating an employee handbook so your business can operate smoothly and help protect against liabilities. Arvanitakis Law Group alongside Becki Bellino HR can help you set your business up for success with employee handbooks. These handbooks are essential for your business for the following reasons:
- Proactively address areas of concern or potential risks before they become problems for employees
- Set clear expectations and communicate workplace policies, such as dress code or attendance requirements
- In addition to providing clarity, having a handbook can provide a record of company policies, procedures, and practices
- As part of your employee onboarding process, your HR team should review an employee handbook with new hires to ensure that it is up-to-date and includes all necessary information