Business Attorneys

Business Matters

We handle all business issues and matters.  From advice regarding forming your business through business litigation.  The decision on the business entity and tax treatment, for example, are often confused.  Did you know that a limited liablity company can be taxed four different ways?  We can also give you 6 reasons why a limited liability company may not provide the same liability protection as a corporation.

Many business owners go into business with either documents they obtained on the internet or documents prepared by an accountant or bookkeeper.  Neighborhood Law Office can form your business, and give you not only the same documents that the online provider or accountant provides, but also the ones that are routinely not provided by those sources.  NLO also does it for the same or less cost!  Reputable CPA's will not offer to do legal work.  Reputable attorneys do not offer to do accounting.  We encourage you to engage reputable attorneys and accountants because each one has a unique professional skill important to your business.

Below is a discussion of Buying or Selling a Business, Tax Matters, and Employment Law.

EVERY BUSINESS OWNER NEEDS AN ATTORNEY AND A CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT

Reputable CPA's will not offer to do legal work.  Reputable attorneys do not offer to do accounting.  We encourage you to engage reputable attorneys and accountants because each one has a unique professional skill important to your business.

 Buying Or Selling A Business

The purchase or sale of a business is a complicated process and proper planning is critical to success. Both sides have needs and requirements that should not be overlooked.

The buyer of a business usually needs advice structuring the purchase and handling approvals and consents required by law, tax issues, environmental issues, and assessing the assets and liabilities being acquired. In contrast, the seller wants to liquidate his assets and get paid.

We represent both buyers and sellers of businesses. When problems are anticipated and dealt with during the negotiation, documentation and closing, you can avoid or minimize problems after the sale closes.

WE CAN HELP YOU WITH:

• Assistance to the Seller in Planning, Negotiating and Documenting the Terms of Sale
• Assistance to the Buyer in Negotiating and Documenting the Terms of Sale, Conducting Due Diligence(financial and non-financial), and Reviewing Financial Arrangements
• Tax Issues
• Closing the Sale / Acting as Escrow Agent

Tax Matters

Jim Underhill spent several years as a trial attorney with the U. S. Department of Justice, Tax Division, before entering private practice, so we have a unique understanding of the tax collector’s interests, concerns, policies and procedures. Over the years, we have represented clients with regard to federal, state, and local tax issues and tax disputes. We often work closely with accountants and other attorneys to resolve a mutual client’s problems.

WE CAN HELP YOU WITH:

• Representation and Defense in Criminal Tax Investigations and Prosecutions
• Tax Controversies, Audits, Appeals, and Civil Litigation
• Collection and Adversary Matters
• Bankruptcy Tax Issues
• Business Planning

 Employment Law

Any business, whether its a corporation, partnership, LLC, or a sole proprietor, has to worry about employment law issues (including unemployment and workman's compensation taxes).  Regardless of your type of business organization the odds are good that we’ve represented clients like you on employment matters. Our broad employment law experience includes unemployment, worker’s compensation insurance, Department of Labor overtime and child labor and tax audits as well as executive compensation and employment agreements.

In today's business climate, making decisions about employment categories (employee or independent contractor) for example can be very dangerous if you do not have an attorney's advice.  The U.S. Department of Labor recently published the first comprehensive revisions to the employment law since the 1950s.  Many specific jobs and work positions are now expressly covered.  State laws can be even more complex.  Many times the result the owner desires can be achieved, but only with prior planning, documentation and careful consideration of the issues in setting up the position.

We have also worked to resolve employee and governmental agency claims concerning equal opportunity, discrimination ( race, gender, national origin, religion, age, sexual harassment and ADA) and other workplace issues.

WE CAN HELP YOU WITH:

• Executive Compensation Agreements
• Employment Contracts and Non-Competition Agreements
• Employment Disputes and Negotiations
• Severance Agreements and Packages
• Discrimination Claims
• Assistance with Workman's Compensation, Unemployment Insurance, Wage and Hour, and Discrimination Audits