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Bankruptcy and Restructuring
Bankruptcy and Restructuring consists of both outside-of-court and court-supervised reorganization of financially troubled businesses. Representation comprises negotiation with creditors and counter-parties, drafting of a restructuring plan under the Bankruptcy Code and other associated tasks.
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Estate Planning for Owners
Small business owners face complex issues when seeking to preserve and/or transfer the assets of a business to the next generation in a tax-efficient manner. Lawyers in this practice area can advise on establishing and updating a business continuity plan and other trust or partnership instruments which can have the effect of reducing tax liabilities. Planning for succession in the context of a small business can protect business assets going forward and financial and legal risks during uncertain times.
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General Business Law
General Business Law is the most general practice area. It consists of transactional and advisory legal counsel on such diverse subjects as business formation, contracts, buying or selling a business, corporate (re)organization, state and federal securities law (stock and debt) and other forms of obtaining financing (loan documentation). It can include major transactions or day-to-day representation.
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Government Contracts
Government contracts consists of transactional support and litigation advice to businesses that are suppliers or contractors with local, state and federal governments. Representation can involve contract negotiation and formation, bidding process support, disputes, audits and investigations and litigation.
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Immigration
Immigration law involves representing individuals or companies engaged in establishing themselves in the United States, or hiring or transferring foreign national executives, managers, professionals, investors, and employees. The practice can include representation of clients in appearances before the US Citizenship and Immigration Services and other associated government agencies, before US consular posts worldwide or specialized immigration courts.
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Intellectual Property - Copyright
Copyright refers to the protections extended to cultural or artistic works such as books, music and film. Copyright law is federal area like patent law (however attorneys do not need to be registered to practice in front of the Copyright Office). Copyright law involves registration, licensing and infringement protection.
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Intellectual Property - Patents
Patents are granted by the federal government to protect an inventor or discover of a new utility (object), design or in certain cases, a new genetically modified plant. Under federal law, patents are issued after a process of examination by the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) called prosecution. Patent law can involve prosecution, licensing, enforcement (against infringers) and other work. Because patent law is a federal practice area, an attorney admitted to practice in front of the USPTO need only be admitted to any jurisdiction in the United States in order to serve clients nationwide.
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Intellectual Property - Trademarks
A trademark is a sign or symbol that denotes the origin of a product or service. Trademarks can be recognized under federal or state law or both. Federal trademarks are obtained via registration with the USPTO while state law regulations vary in formality. Trademark law consists of registration, licensing and portfolio management and infringement-related litigation.
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Internet, Data Management and Privacy Law
Internet, Data Management and Privacy Law refers to legal help in drafting and putting in place a robust strategy for e-commerce and websites ensuring that customer and proprietary data is treated in a way that complies with state and federal regulations.
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Labor, Employment and Employee Benefits
Labor, Employment and Employee Benefits law assists businesses in managing their workforce and ensuring compliance with local, state and federal regulations regarding wages, workplace safety, non-discrimination and other requirements. Lawyers can assist business owners with contract negotiation and drafting or with litigation in court or in front of investigations by agencies such as the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission. Employee Benefits refers to the granting of incentive-based compensation (stock options) and assisting businesses tailor these kinds of plans.
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Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution
Litigation and ADR refers to legal advice to solve disputes either through the courts or through mediation, arbitration or settlements. Disputes can arise from contracts, government investigations, an employment relationship or a customer relationship.
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Real Estate
Real Estate law covers all aspects related to buying, selling, conveying property, financing real estate developments and navigating municipal zoning regulations. Attorneys with this area of focus stand ready to assist small business clients in landlord-tenant negotiations and disputes and in mortgaging of property.
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Regulatory Practices
Regulatory practices refer to a number of areas of law which comprise activities in regulated industries or sectors. This can include licensing in front of federal and state agencies to comply with liquor license laws, or food and drug regulations.
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Startup Law
Startup Law includes legal services for early-stage and growing companies including establishing a suitable business form, contract assistance, general corporate strategy, transactions with angel investors and venture capital firms and other advice.
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State and Federal Tax Law
Nothing is certain in life, except death and taxes—so uttered Benjamin Franklin. This continues to be true today as the US government and state and local governments levy a myriad of taxes that affect small businesses and entrepreneurs. State and federal tax law can involve preparation of annual filings, responding to investigations and audits by the tax authorities, dealing with tax credit requests and tax litigation.