Maryland Jefferson, MD Business Attorney

Starting your own business is exciting but challenging. Running a business frees you from the drudgery of working for someone else. And Jefferson, MD, is a fantastic place to be your own boss. However, business ownership carries with it several important responsibilities. Perhaps you started your business because you have a passion for the products or services it provides. That doesn’t necessarily mean you like getting into the nitty gritty of spreadsheets, legal contracts, insurance, IRS returns and all the administrative functions that are vital to your business’s success.

Business owners are responsible for everything from keeping the lights on in the office to ensuring customer satisfaction and repeat business. From marketing to paying invoices, it can be a heavy burden, leading to many long days (and even nights). Fortunately, a Jefferson, MD, area business lawyer can help. They can advise you of your rights and obligations as a business owner, help you devise strategies for your business, and stand by your side if and when challenges appear.

Rebekah Lusk and Steven Bright of Lusk Law, LLC are not just business lawyers near Jefferson, MD. They also are small business owners themselves. They own and operate a horse boarding facility in Union Bridge, MD and own rental properties in Frederick, MD. Rebekah and Steven understand the challenges that come with business ownership. They seek to build long-lasting relationships with clients so that they can help them to grow and prosper.

What Does a Jefferson Business Lawyer Do?

The term “business” describes organized activities that provide goods or services to customers in exchange for financial compensation. A business could mean a single person working alone in their garage, or it could be a vast multinational enterprise that employs thousands.

All businesses have legal obligations and needs, regardless of their size. When a business lawyer takes on a new client, they first begin by getting to know that individual and their business inside out. They must appreciate their client’s goals and ambitions, as well as their worries and ongoing needs.

A Jefferson business lawyer can draft important documents for business formation or corporate governance, as well as contracts relating to business services, employment, and other functions. Should disputes arise, a lawyer will advocate for a business owner. If a neighbour has concerns over a business’s opening hours, or there is a dispute over a long overdue invoice, that’s where a business lawyer will step in, to protect their client’s interests.

When Do I Need a Jefferson, MD, Business Lawyer?

Even if your business is still in the ideation phase, one could argue that it is never too early to speak to a Jefferson area business lawyer. An attorney can help you plan your business and prepare in advance for potential pitfalls. Obtaining legal advice early on in the process of building your business can help you avoid problems further down the road.

Furthermore, even if you’re some way down the road with a dispute or legal problem, it is never too late to enlist a Jefferson, MD, area business lawyer to help make your case. Speak to an attorney as soon as possible to avoid stressful disputes, financial consequences and missed deadlines.

How Can a Business Lawyer Serving Jefferson Help Me?

A business lawyer serving the Jefferson area can help you in a host of different ways. Beyond legal duties, they can also introduce you to third parties better suited to assist with specific needs.

Business Formation

It’s not mandatory to form a business structure, such as a corporation, in order to run a business. An informal business structure like a sole proprietorship or general partnership has advantages for some people. There’s often less paperwork to file, for instance.

However, going it alone as a sole proprietor leaves you personally liable for any business debts. A corporation, limited liability company (LLC), or other formal business entity protects you from liability, even if it might involve more paperwork. A business attorney in the Jefferson, MD, area can advise you about the best way to organize your business and file all the necessary papers, in exemplary detail, and well in advance of crucial deadlines.

Corporate Governance

Especially when you have two or more owners, you need clear guidelines for making important decisions. Disagreements will inevitably arise, and mediation is vital in challenging negotiations. This is particularly true when business owners themselves disagree on the best course of action. One of the most common areas of dispute is the allocation of business profits between owners. A business lawyer can help with all of these concerns, as well as drafting corporate governance documentation, including partnership or stakeholder agreements and corporate bylaws. All of these formal agreements help your business run smoothly and reduce the opportunities for conflict.

Business Contracts

A business relies on relationships with vendors, landlords, employees, customers, and other parties in order to function. Maintaining these relationships is often a case of ensuring that the business owner’s rights and interests, plus those of third parties, are protected. Your Jefferson, MD, area business lawyer will identify where such contracts are required and will draft effective agreements.

Business Licenses

Depending on state, county or city laws, your business might need to obtain certain licenses or certificates to operate. Your business attorney in the Jefferson area can advise you on what is required and assist you with completing the paperwork on schedule.

Labor and Employment

When you’re starting up, you’ll probably be an employee of your own business. Later, as your business grows, you will need employment agreements and policy manuals for your employees. Your Jefferson, MD, area business attorney can help you prepare for obligations and claims under laws like the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Risk Management and Safety Compliance

Your business attorney in the Jefferson area can help you identify, manage, and mitigate many of the legal risks you’ll encounter, in line with all current legislation. They will help you understand your obligations to maintain a safe and accessible workplace in compliance with legislation, including the Occupational Safety and Health Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Business Financing

When it comes to expanding your business, branching out, or making a capital investment, you may need to obtain business finance. You will need guidance from your attorney as you bring new investors into the fold, since these relationships may affect issues of ownership or governance. This is one area where your Jefferson area business lawyer will prove essential.

Mergers, Acquisitions, Reorganizations, and Sales

As your business grows, it may be advantageous to acquire another company or to merge your business with another. Perhaps business reorganization or restructuring would be beneficial, such as converting a partnership into a corporation. Alternatively, you may receive an offer to buy your business that is simply too good to refuse. In each of these scenarios, the advice and advocacy of a business lawyer are indispensable.

Business Taxes

Businesses often pay different taxes than individuals and families. Depending on how your business operates, you could owe multiple types of taxes to the IRS and the Comptroller of Maryland. Your Jefferson, MD, area business lawyer can assist you with understanding the kinds of tax liabilities to expect.

Succession Planning

Business owners are responsible for every aspect of their business’s operations. As you grow, you will develop many relationships with employees, vendors, clients, and other third parties. A network of reliance develops, as these individuals come to depend upon your business operating smoothly. Planning ahead for illness, incapacity, or worse can help put everyone’s mind at ease. Succession planning ensures that the business thrives when you move on. Your lawyer will help you draft a plan for who remains in charge if you are no longer around.

Civil Litigation

Business lawsuits can occur for a number of reasons. An employee could sue for an alleged violation of laws dealing with salaries, overtime, or employment discrimination. A vendor might sue for an alleged breach of contract. A customer could sue based on a claim that a product your business makes is unsafe. These are just a few of the potential scenarios.

A skilled business lawyer near Jefferson, MD, can advocate for your rights once a lawsuit has been filed against your business. They’ll also help file a lawsuit if you have a claim against another person or company. They can work to negotiate a settlement, or they can fight for you in court. By using an attorney’s services, you’ll avoid many lawsuits before they ever begin. By drafting solid contracts and other documents, and by monitoring your compliance with various laws, your lawyer protects you against vexatious claims.

Get Help from Jefferson, MD, Area Business Lawyers at Lusk Law, LLC

Rebekah Lusk and Steven Bright are experienced business attorneys near Jefferson, MD, and advocates for life’s obstacles and opportunities. The team at Lusk Law, LLC is dedicated to helping businesses and business owners face a wide range of challenges.

Attorney Rebekah Damen Lusk

Rebekah Damen Lusk is the Founder and Managing Member of Lusk Law, LLC. Rebekah brings personal experiences as a small business owner, real estate investor, landlord, and farm owner to the task of practicing law and working with clients. Her practice areas include general civil litigation, business, employment, landlord/tenant, real estate, and equine/animal law. [ Attorney Bio ]