STRATEGIES FOR STARTUPS, Knowledge • Informed Decisions • Execution of Evolving Plan Startups. Having started her own business and by helping others start and grow their businesses, Michelle Grenier understands the unique issues and concerns of new and seasoned entrepreneurs starting a new endeavor. After learning about your goals, Michelle will provide a summary of essential legal services for your business, along with corresponding flat rates and estimated costs, all designed to assist your business in starting operations more quickly. Michelle will work with you in developing a strategy geared toward effectuating your short and long term goals. Joint Venture Agreement. The first issue to address with many startups, is determining the duties, responsibilities and expectations of the founders. Typically these and other important issues are best addressed in writing via a Joint Venture Agreement. Corp-LLC. Another important issue for startups is, whether or not to establish and operate the business under a separate entity such as a corporation or limited liability company as a means of attempting to protect your personal assets. Michelle can assist you in determining which entity, if any, is right for your business. Legal Tools. Having the right legal tools, and understanding how to use them, can make all the difference in the success of your business. If you are looking for a business lawyer you can trust who can provide you with the proper legal tools and guide you through the process and growing pains of a new business, contact Michelle Grenier at michelle@contactmylawyer.com or via telephone at 617-728-9800.
BUSINESS CERTIFICATES, PERMITS Knowledge • Informed Decisions • Execution of Evolving Plan Non-compliance with certificate and permitting laws and regulations can be costly. Michelle can assist you in determining which business certificates and/or permits will be necessary to operate your business and assist in obtaining the same so that you can focus on the many other business matters that need to addressed. Should you wish to discuss the legal issues concerning your business, with a business lawyer that you can trust, contact Michelle Grenier at michelle@contactmylawyer.com or via telephone at 617-728-9800.
LEASING, LICENSING Knowledge • Informed Decisions • Execution of Evolving Plan One of the biggest risks, is in not fully understanding the terms of your lease or license. Leasing. The terms of a lease can often times make or break a business. Know and fully understand the terms before you sign. Terms such as hours of operation, limitation on goods and brands to be sold, option to renew, landlord’s right to relocate your business, the limits of your responsibility, the limitations and requirements for buildout and signage and obstruction of view issues, are only a few of the important terms that businesses need to pay close attention to. Licensing. Before you license your rights you need to know exactly what your rights are. Before you purchase a license you need to make sure the licensor owns the rights that he/she purports to own and that he/she is not limited in any way to provide such license. In addition, exclusivity issues, intellectual property and many other issues are often involved in licensing transactions.
Knowledge • Informed Decisions • Execution of Evolving Plan Reduce the risk of exposure to liability by making sure your web site is in compliance. Take steps to protect your intellectual property, including, having the proper notices on your web site, e.g. copyright infringement warnings, etc. Proper privacy notices should be set forth on the site, especially, if you are taking information from site visitors. Michelle Grenier can assist your business with these and many other legal issues. Should you wish to discuss the legal issues concerning your business web site or other Internet issues, with a business lawyer that you can trust, contact Michelle Grenier at michelle@contactmylawyer.com or via telephone at 617-728-9800.
EMPLOYER COMPLIANCE Knowledge • Informed Decisions • Execution of Evolving Plan Michelle Grenier can provide employers with guidance with regard to many issues including, proper employer posters and notices, proper Employee Handbook content, compliance with local and federal laws and regulations and advice with regard to steps you can take to reduce the risk of frivolous lawsuits from disgruntled employees. Should you wish to discuss legal issues concerning your employer-employee issues with a business lawyer that you can trust, contact Michelle Grenier at michelle@contactmylawyer.com or via telephone at 617-728-9800.
SUBSIDIARIES Knowledge • Informed Decisions • Execution of Evolving Plan U.S. Subsidiaries. Growth and establishing new subsidiaries for a successful business is exciting. With the excitement also comes increased risk of exposure to liability. Michelle Grenier endeavors to educate her clients with regard to issues that are critical to business success, instead of simply dictating recommendations. Businesses should know that simply establishing separate entities (Corp, LLC, etc.) for each subsidiary will not necessarily separate liability for each entity. Franchising is also another option that may be viable. International Subsidiaries. Did you know that some United States laws apply to you, your business and your employees abroad? Going global is exciting and also increases your business’ exposure to liability. In addition to the application of some U.S. laws, businesses must deal with issues concerning local laws and customary business practices in different cultures and areas around the globe. When your business is ready to grow and you wish to discuss the legal issues concerning the growth of your business with a business lawyer that you can trust, contact Michelle Grenier at michelle@contactmylawyer.com or via telephone at 617-728-9800.
Knowledge • Informed Decisions • Execution of Evolving Plan One of the biggest risks, is in not fully understanding the Franchise contract. Franchise Agreements can be long and arduous. It is imperative that you know and fully understand the terms of the Agreement before you sign-off. Also, you may have more power than you think, with regard to negotiating the terms of a proposed Franchise Agreement. Michelle Grenier can assist you in drafting and negotiating franchise agreements for your business. Should you wish to discuss franchise issues, with a business lawyer that you can trust, contact Michelle Grenier at michelle@contactmylawyer.com or telephone at 617-728-9800.
MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS, Knowledge • Informed Decisions • Execution of Evolving Plan Whether you are ready to sell or buy a business, proper due diligence is an essential key to a successful transaction. Michelle Grenier provides her clients with special attention with these transactions. When it’s time to move-on, you may have several options that may not be immediately apparent, such as selling, leasing or licensing intellectual property, equipment, and other assets of the business; and/or subleasing existing leases, sublicensing rights, etc. In addition, dissolving any corporation or LLC may not be the answer and in fact, could put your personal assets at risk. You should always consult with an attorney before dissolving any such entity.
BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS Knowledge • Informed Decisions • Execution of Evolving Plan One of the biggest risks, is in not fully understanding the contract. An important key to business success is having the proper legal tools. So too, is the importance of understanding how they work, so that you can make them work for you. Michelle Grenier can provide you with efficient, cost effective review and analysis of your existing contracts, advise you as to how they can be improved (if applicable) and modify or draft new agreements based upon your goals, concerns and legal issues. Win-win! In most negotiations, there is a win-win solution, even it if it is not immediately apparent to all parties. The critical element to successful negotiations, is to approach the negotiations as a mutual problem solver. Find out the underlying interests, goals and concerns of each party, instead of focusing only on what the parties think they want. Look also at the big picture and brainstorm with regard to what each party can bring to the table. By focusing on these elements and with this approach, a broader scope of possibilities can be developed. Then, a mix of options may be selected that minimize or eliminate fears and concerns and at the same time satisfy each party’s goals and interests. Should you wish to discuss your business issues with a business lawyer that you can trust, contact Michelle Grenier at michelle@contactmylawyer.com or via telephone at 617-728-9800
LETTERS OF CREDIT Knowledge • Informed Decisions • Execution of Evolving Plan One of the biggest risks is in not fully understanding the terms of the letter of credit.
A letter of credit is a contract, however, the typical contract rules do not apply in every case. There are rigorous formalities and requirements. Banks, institutions and larger companies often have staff that are well trained and work exclusively in this area, however, others are at a higher risk of incurring significant transactional penalties due to a misunderstanding of the terms or mistake. It is critical that applicants and beneficiaries each fully understand the terms of the letter of credit before agreeing to them. Beneficiaries should beware that letter of credit applicants have had increased success in preventing payment in the United States by obtaining court orders to stop their bank from paying demands on letters of credit by claiming that there was fraud involved. Courts have issued temporary or preliminary injunction even when the beneficiary is not present at the hearing. Thereafter, the beneficiary will receive a notice from the issuing bank of dishonor and refusal to pay based upon the court order. Michelle Grenier can provide you with a cost effective, comprehensive legal analysis of the terms of your letter of credit in terms that you can understand. In addition, Michelle can present proposed modifications and negotiate the terms geared toward addressing your interests and concerns. Should you wish to discuss your business issues with a business lawyer that you can trust, contact Michelle Grenier at michelle@contactmylawyer.com or via telephone at 617-728-9800.
DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE (DBE) Knowledge • Informed Decisions • Execution of Evolving Plan Applying for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise status can be a long and arduous process with what, at times, can seem like a never-ending request for documents from the State or Federal agency. Michelle Grenier has experience with DBE applications on the State and Federal level. Michelle Grenier will guide you through the process of gathering and drafting the proper documents and completing the proper forms, so that you can focus on running your business. Should you wish to discuss your DBE issues with a business lawyer that you can trust, contact Michelle Grenier at michelle@contactmylawyer.com or via telephone at 617-728-9800.
Knowledge • Informed Decisions • Execution of Evolving Plan Responding to RFPs. Without the proper assistance, preparing responses to Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and other bidding, can cause you to spend a great amount of time away from running your business. The amount of paperwork and documents requested, can, at times, be overwhelming to many business owners and operators. Michelle Grenier has experience with properly and cost efficiently, preparing response to RFP’s issued by local, state and federal agencies. Should you wish to discuss your RFP issues with a business lawyer that you can trust, contact Michelle Grenier at michelle@contactmylawyer.com or via telephone at 617-728-9800.
ARCHEOLOGICAL EXCAVATIONS International Archeological Excavations can be an exciting and exhilarating adventure. With the excitement and exhilaration also comes risk. You should know, that some United States laws apply extraterritorial to you, your agents, contractors and employees. In addition, when working with people of different cultures, you need to understanding their business and contracting practices. Making sure that each party has a clear understanding of their duties, responsibilities as well as the other parties expectations, is essential for a successful project to be effectuated in a productive, efficient manner. Should you wish to discuss your archeological excavation issues with a business lawyer that you can trust, contact Michelle Grenier at michelle@contactmylawyer.com or via telephone at 617-728-9800.
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DISCLAIMER: These materials have been prepared by Grenier Law Offices, PC for informational purposes only and are not legal advice. This information is not intended to create, and receipt of it does not constitute, a lawyer-client relationship. Readers should not act upon this information without seeking direct professional counsel. See further notices in our Terms of Use. michelle@contactmylawyer.com |
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