Business Law

We help a wide variety of clients choose business structures that best fit their specific needs, considering many factors such as liability protections, tax implications, owner relationships, government regulations, financing, day-to-day management, growth, and exit strategies. On the other end of the business life-cycle, we assist clients with the dissolution of businesses as well as owner disputes. 

• Business Formation
  • Corporations (C corporations, S corporations, Special Purpose Corporations)
  • Limited Liability Companies
  • Partnerships
  • Professional Entities
  • Nonprofit Corporations
  • Sole Proprietorships
  • Joint Ventures, Strategic Alliances, and Associations
• Owner Agreements
  • Shareholder Agreements
  • LLC/Operating Agreements
  • Partnership Agreements
• Reorganizations, Spin-Offs/Split-Up
• Corporate Governance 
• Dissolution
• Owner Disputes

Whether you’re buying and selling businesses or considering a “standard” contract, our business attorneys have the knowledge and experience to help clients navigate the risks and opportunities involved in any business transaction. And when contract disputes arise, we work closely with clients to formulate strategies and protect their interests.

• Buying and Selling Businesses
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Due Diligence
• Franchising – Franchisors and Franchisees
• Contract Negotiation and Drafting
• Commercial Transactions (Sale of Goods, Secured Transactions, UCC liens)
• Contract Disputes

Every business needs capital, whether for start-up costs, operations, acquisitions, growth, or buy-outs. We provide experienced counsel on a broad range of business financings such as:

• Loan Negotiation and Opinion Letters
• Securities – Private Offerings and Investor Review
• Venture Capital
• Regulatory Enforcement

Taxes touch almost every aspect of business. Our business attorneys work side-by-side with CPAs and other advisors to help clients achieve their business goals while minimizing tax consequences.

• Federal and State Business Taxation
• Property Taxes
• Coordination with Federal Estate and Gift Tax Planning
• Tax Controversy and Litigation 

We advise companies, individual inventors, artists, and buyers on the creation, acquisition, management, monetization, licensing, and enforcement of all aspects of intellectual property. Through our comprehensive range of services, the team assists clients with a variety of intellectual property needs, including:

• Trademarks, Trade Names, Trade Secrets, and Trade Dress
• Copyrights
• Restrictive Covenants
• Licensing and Transactions
• Brand Management
• Litigation

Our employment lawyers provide advice and representation in litigation on numerous challenging labor and employment issues including: 

• Discrimination
• Wrongful discharge
• Harassment
• Reductions in force
• FMLA, Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave
• ADA
• Employment contracts
• Non-competes, non-disclosure obligations
• Policies and Handbooks
• Paid sick leave
• Wage and hour issues such as:
  • Minimum wage payment requirements
  • Overtime wages and exemptions
  • Pay practices for meals and rest breaks

Our business succession planning team works closely with owners, advisors, and key persons to address the business and non-business elements of succession planning and ensure a smooth transition in the event of a key person’s retirement, illness, or death.

• Planning and Implementation of ownership retention/disposition
• Estate planning coordination
• Net worth adjustments to address estate tax liquidity needs
• Management continuity
• Redemption Agreements

The skill and experience of our business attorneys, combined with our multidisciplinary collaborative firm culture, provide clients with the legal planning, regulatory support, corporate guidance, and compliance strategies they need to operate and expand their specialized businesses.

• Regulated Industries
• Cannabis and Liquor Licensing
• Professional Service Entities
• Tax-Exempt Organizations

Few things are more stressful to a business owner or manager than being embroiled in litigation. Our litigation attorneys understand that and are ready to guide you and your business through the legal maze that accompanies a lawsuit. We represent our clients at trial and on appeal and do so in both state and federal courts, including the Washington State Supreme Court and the United States Supreme Court.   

While being an experienced advocate in the courtroom is important, our litigation attorneys never forget that forging settlements through negotiation and mediation can often serve client needs better and more economically than resorting to a judge or jury. If a beneficial settlement can be reached we are prepared to negotiate. If a settlement is not possible, you will have litigation counsel who is experienced and professional to represent your organization, whether a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, family business, or single-owner entity. However your business is structured, you deserve our experienced litigation attorneys working alongside you to help you meet your goals.