Raleigh Business & Corporate Business Attorney Services to Clients in North Carolina
At NC Planning, we believe that sound legal advice and professional legal services – delivered consistently over time – are critical to the success of a business. The Raleigh Business & Corporate Business Attorneys at NC Planning can provide the legal services and insights that a business owner may need to prepare for the future.
We build lasting relationships with our corporate business clients to meet their legal needs and to provide proactive corporate counsel services not once, but consistently over time.
Every company needs a proper structure, and every business owner needs reliable advice about contracts and leases, tax planning, and major business transactions. Good business planning can protect your business and provide some needed stability through uncertain economic times.
What Are the Benefits of Creating A Business Plan?
A business plan should establish your business goals for at least the next three to five years and show how those goals will be achieved. Especially in the early days of a business, the right business plan will prevent you from making the mistakes that sink so many new businesses.
When you become our client at NC Planning, our legal team will help you develop a business plan that’s compliant, practical, and helps you avoid potential legal liability. Constructing a solid business plan early on is the way to build your company on a firm foundation.
Your business plan will describe your business and why it stands out from the competition. It details your products and/or services and your target demographic(s). Business plans should also consider growth and profit expectations, funding details, and marketing.
A business plan must also address potential risks that may trigger lawsuits. The business planning professionals at NC Planning can make sure that your business plan overlooks nothing, addresses investor concerns, and offers realistic strategies for growth over time.
What Does a Business Plan Include?
Even if you’re not seeking outside investment capital, your business plan functions as a practical tool for operating the business and achieving your business goals. A business plan usually includes:
- A description of your products and/or services
- A description of your structure and management
- Your sales and marketing plan
- A summary of your company’s goals and how you intend to achieve them
- An assessment of your industry, market, prospective customers, and competitors
- An explanation for potential investors about why your business is unique
- Your company’s current and projected expenses, income, and credit history
- Your current and anticipated financial needs
Lease agreements, permits, letters of reference, patents, licenses, and other documents should also be included in a business plan.
What Long-Term Business Planning Services Do We Offer?
As your business grows, so do its planning needs. We help clients with long-term planning needs that may involve:
- Advice regarding contracts: NC Planning will negotiate, draft, review, and modify contracts to clarify expectations, set terms, and reduce risk. We review your contracts and documents – or create new ones – to ensure that they’re compliant and right for you.
- Licenses and Trademarks: We protect your company, its name, its brand, and its logo. We register patents and trademarks. We obtain the maximum legal protection for your business available under federal and state laws.
- Merger and acquisition planning: If you are consolidating, purchasing, or selling a business, the business, real estate, and tax lawyers at NC Planning will make sure that your interests are protected.
- Succession planning: Selling your business or eventually passing it to one or more heirs? We handle the paperwork and minimize the tax impact of a sale or succession.
- Tax planning strategies: We use a variety of estate planning, tax planning, and business planning tools to help business owners effectively reduce their tax burdens.
Probably too many business owners pay too little attention to creating a business plan. But – as mentioned above – even if you have no need for investment funds, preparing a business plan is essential.
Business Formation Planning
The decisions made while forming a new business will have long-term, lasting impacts on the success and future growth of the company. This is both an intimidating prospect as well as a valuable opportunity. At NC Planning, our Raleigh, NC corporate attorneys work with business owners to structure their company and tailor the policies that will help them meet their goals.
- Start-ups and Formations: Startups face unique challenges during the formation stage. We help review and draft all pertinent legal documents, establish your startup as a formal legal entity, and select a tax structure that benefits your specific business most. We also assist in the creation and implementation of employee agreements and founders’ agreements to address issues that may arise down the line. Through these agreements, the business is able to lay out the terms and conditions related to equity, IP ownership, capital, and founders’ exits, among others.
- Structure and Management: Choosing the proper structure for your company is an important decision that will influence several other aspects of your business. It determines how all roles and responsibilities are assigned as well as how information flows between management. The structure and management of your business will depend on your market, long-term objectives, and the amount of personal liability you want to assume in your business. We help business owners select the most advantageous structure for their goals.
- Compliance and Administration: It is not uncommon for business owners to overlook the importance of compliance and administration issues. We ensure that your company meets the necessary legal requirements of local, state, and federal law, thereby avoiding costly compliance mistakes down the line.
Growth Stage Business Planning
After the start-up phase, your business will enter the growth phase. This is the time when many business owners wish to expand their market share and increase their bottom line. In some cases, this means acquiring new companies or merging with existing businesses. In other situations, the growth stage can include the purchase of real estate or investing more substantially in sales and marketing strategies.
- Acquisitions and Mergers: Whether you are buying or selling a business, our team of experienced attorneys can draft all necessary documents, negotiate the terms of major deals, and address compliance matters to avoid legal issues. Our Raleigh, NC corporate attorneys uphold your interests through all aspects of the transaction and work diligently to reduce the likelihood of disputes or undue tax burdens.
- Contracts: The increasing reliance on more comprehensive and sophisticated contracts is a key element of a business’s growth. We draft key contracts and agreements for your company, minimizing the common mistakes that may harm your business long-term.
- Tax Planning: There are certain tax considerations that should be accounted for as a company grows and evolves. We work with business owners to select a tax structure that most beneficial for their company or modify an existing structure to account for new growth.
The Importance of Succession Planning
At NC Planning, we practice both corporate law as well as estate planning. This choice is intentional, as business owners have unique considerations regarding succession and the management of their company in the event of their death. Business succession planning is important for preserving the legacy of the business owner and ensuring a smooth transfer of ownership.
How to Choose the Right Corporate Attorney for Your Business
No two corporate attorneys are the same, each offering unique perspectives and services to benefit their clients. Choosing the right corporate attorney for your practice is not always straightforward, requiring you to carefully evaluate your long-term objectives and business goals. The following considerations can be helpful when vetting prospective corporate attorneys for your practice:
- How long has the attorney been practicing business law?
- Do they have experience in your specific industry?
- If you wish to establish a long-term plan, does the firm practice estate planning?
- Why do you want to hire a corporate attorney? Does the firm offer services that can address your legal issues?
- Does their fee structure work for your budget?
How NC Planning Will Help You Plan for the Road Ahead
At NC Planning, we believe in the value of business ownership and work diligently to secure success for our clients. By planning for the road ahead, we help business owners avoid unexpected pitfalls that may arise in the long term. Our Raleigh, NC corporate attorneys will work with you to implement strategies that leverage your current assets to achieve further success. To learn more about our business formation, growth stage, or long-term planning services, consider scheduling your initial consultation at (919) 568-3681 today.
Seek Legal Representation From Our Business Planning Attorneys
A proper business plan indicates whether you need to reevaluate your assumptions about your business and its future. That is, your plan should tell you whether or not you’re doing the right thing.
Helping business owners develop the plans they need is our priority. To find out more about our Raleigh, NC business planning services or to meet with our corporate attorneys, call (919) 568-3681 or reach us using the contact form here on our website.
Our offices are located in Raleigh at 4801 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 200. NC Planning also has offices in Cary at 5640 Dillard Drive, Suite 101. Helping business owners is our business.
