Atlanta Business Lawyer Blog

As an Atlanta, Georgia business lawyer, I have had a number of business persons ask me, “do corporations in Georgia need to be represented by an attorney?” The answer is a resounding “Yes”.

First, in Georgia business litigation matters, corporations must be represented by a licensed Georgia attorney in “courts of record.” Eckles v. Atlanta Tech Group, 267 Ga. 801, 485 S.E.2d 22 (1997). The Georgia Supreme Court found that although a corporation may be considered to be a “person” under Georgia law, when the corporation is facing litigation, it must hire an attorney to be represented in court. The Court reasoned that because a corporation can only act through its agent, when that agent represents a corporation in court, he or she is acting as a legal representative and must be a licensed attorney. Thus, a corporation cannot represent itself in court and must hire business attorney.

Although not required by law, several other essential reasons exist for having an experienced Georgia business attorney involved in your company’s non-litigation matters. Having a knowledgeable attorney represent your business from the outset can save your corporation substantial monies, unnecessary trouble and expense, and protect your business from costly disputes and litigation. Areas in which an attorney can be extremely beneficial include, but are not limited to, ensuring proper corporate entity formation, employment contracts and hiring or firing decisions, entering into third party contracts, and avoidance of disputes and litigation.

• Incorporation: Deciding whether to form a corporation or a limited liability corporation (LLC) can have significant personal liability and tax consequences. Further, many specific legal formalities must be followed in order to incorporate or form an LLC, including the execution of many legal documents. Thus, it’s essential to have a knowledgeable corporate attorney advise you on the type of business entity that is best suited for your company. If you are unsure what steps your business should take, investing in even an hour of an attorney’s time can lead to a huge return on investment. Simple mistakes in incorporating can lead to serious financial and legal issues at a later time.

• Employment Contracts: Many employee disputes and lawsuits could be avoided by having an attorney involved at the outset. Claims may arise because of confusion over job duties, payment of wages, and the failure to sign important documents such as non-disclosure of company secrets or non-competition agreements. Having an attorney ensure proper employment agreements and documents are in place at the beginning of an employment relationship can save your company from unnecessary trouble and expense down the road arising from employee disputes and litigation.

• Hiring and Firing: Our Atlanta business lawyers are well versed in the employment law. We know and understand there are legally correct methods to hire, fire, and lay off employees. The business employment lawyers at our firm understand the importance properly hiring new employees and setting expectations of them, executing the proper employment contracts, legally documenting these matters, as well as engaging in an appropriate amount of other protective measures for your business. Likewise, our Atlanta business employment lawyers understand the necessary steps and measures and document employee performance, adherence to business standards, and the proper way to fire or lay off employees should the need arise. The procedures and actions we take can be crucial in case a disgruntled employee decides to file a lawsuit or an action with a governmental entity such as the EEOC.

• Third Party Contracts: It is extremely important to have your own Georgia business lawyers draft contracts and agreements in a manner favorable and protective of your business interests. Likewise, contracts offered by third party vendors, leases, and distribution agreements are often one-sided in favor of another party. As such, it is important to have a knowledgeable business attorney review all documents and contracts in order to ensure your company’s best interests are protected. Oftentimes, this includes negotiations concerning essential and material terms of any contract.

• Avoiding Disputes and Litigation: The Atlanta business lawyers at our firm understand that we live, work, and conduct business in an increasingly litigious society. Our business lawyers consider protecting you and your business from being involved in litigation an essential part of their job function. Lastly, if you are a Georgia business facing litigation, it is crucial you hire an experienced Georgia business or commercial lawyer immediately.

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The Atlanta, Georgia, business litigation lawyers at our firm find that most plaintiffs and defendants involved in Georgia business lawsuits turn exclusively to the state or federal courts to resolve their cases. In fact, most clients assume state and federal courts are their only option for resolving their disputes. However, there are excellent dispute resolution alternatives, which may have exhaustive benefits for our clients.

Arbitration can be an effective means of dispute resolution, especially for parties who desire a fast resolution on a complex issue. The Official Code of Georgia contains a section laying out the necessary procedures for arbitration in Georgia. This section is generally referred to as the Georgia Arbitration Code, and is located at O.C.G.A. §9-9-1, et seq.

Arbitration, though very similar to the court system, can provide parties involved in business disputes with some unique advantages. First, the parties dictate how they want the arbitration to proceed by designing their own timelines. Unlike the Georgia court system where it typically takes at least a year (or sometimes much longer) for a case to proceed to trial, the parties to an arbitration can schedule a final arbitration hearing within a few months after initiating the arbitration process. This is why many business contracts specify that arbitration is the required form of dispute resolution if a conflict arises. Another advantage to arbitration is that the parties can select an arbitrator who has specialized training or experience in a technical or specialized area of the law. This is in marked contrast to the court system where judges, though generally knowledgeable on the law, may not have any pertinent experience related to a complex business matter, such as construction, intellectual property, or employment. When parties use the court system, it is also important to note that they have no say in which judge is ultimately appointed to oversee their cases, while in arbitration, the parties typically collaborate in choosing a specific arbitrator.

Whether you may be involved in a Georgia business litigation case or are presently engaged in an ongoing business dispute, our Atlanta business lawyers would welcome the opportunity to evaluate your situation and advise you of your options.

Continue reading "ATLANTA, GEORGIA, BUSINESS ATTORNEYS WHO KEEP OPTIONS OPEN FOR THEIR CLIENTS – FROM ATLANTA (FULTON COUNTY) TO CUMMING (FORSYTH COUNTY) TO MARIETTA (COBB COUNTY) TO DECATUR (DEKALB COUNTY) -- WE WANT A FAVORABLE OUTCOME IN YOUR CASE" »

As an Atlanta, Georgia Business Attorney, I advocate many different forms of business entities under which a Georgia company can operate. One of my favorite entities is the Georgia Limited Liability Company (LLC). This is an entity recognized by the State of Georgia and affords its owners and investors (members) significant protection from liability as well as significant tax advantages. Such protections and savings are the primary benefits of setting up and operating under a Georgia LLC.

It is important to have an experienced Georgia business law firm set up your Georgia LLC. The costs are relatively inexpensive considering the time, investment, and serious nature of operating your Georgia LLC. Our Atlanta, Georgia, business attorneys can give you an overview and guidance on how to keep records and conduct business. Moreover, while it may seem easy to operate an LLC, seeking and following the advice and guidelines of an experienced Georgia Business Attorney is critical. Our Georgia business lawyers will walk you through the steps to protect your business as well as your personal assets. This could very well prevent “Piercing the Corporate Veil” and accessing your personal assets to pay liabilities and debts of the LLC. This is just one reason it is so important to have an experienced Georgia business lawyer work with you in setting up your LLC.

NOTE: Buying some “operating agreement” form over the internet to set up your business affairs likely is an immense and potentially costly mistake. This type action can get you in significant legal trouble with dire legal consequences. Likewise, setting up an LLC online and/or without the representation of a Georgia business lawyer is a dangerous and likely costly and poor business decision.

Once the initial research has been performed and information has been gathered concerning the structure of the Georgia LLC, the LLC’s application, By-Laws, Articles, Registered Agent, and other important matters are submitted to the Georgia Secretary of State for processing. Georgia law firms with significant experience in this area also can set these matters up online and a proper Georgia LLC can be set up in just a couple of days. Provided everything is in order, the Georgia LLC is created and its members will be authorized to do business as the LLC in the state in which the LLC is organized.

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As an experienced Atlanta Business Attorney, I frequently advise clients on Georgia employment contracts both for the employer and for employees. In giving advice to those on “both” sides of the desk, I have become familiar with the concerns Atlanta contract lawyers, Atlanta business employers and owners and Atlanta employees have in regards to Georgia employment agreements.

I cannot underscore or emphasize enough the importance of having all your Georgia business contracts drafted, reviewed, and advised upon by an experienced Atlanta Business Lawyer. It is commonplace to see that the necessity of this only hits home when business needs change and business owners-employers and employees alike have to take into consideration, workout or litigate what was not contemplated, or memorialized in writing, when the employer-employee relationship began.

In my practice as Atlanta Business Contract Lawyer, I see the worst in good people, both employer and employee alike. This most often occurs when the simple terms sets forth both below are not set out in detail in a Georgia business contract. Also essential to any Georgia business employment contract, is a comprehensive understanding of the contract. A Business contract is only as good as the parties understanding of it in addition to their adherence and compliance with such contract. As such, I have set forth a list of what I call essential elements and which need to be addressed in any Georgia employment contract. Below is a short list of issues to be considered, negotiated, memorialized, and reviewed by an experienced Atlanta Business Contract Lawyer.

1. Term of Employment: Georgia Employment agreements are considered “at-will” if they do not otherwise specify. When advising on Georgia business contracts, I usually suggest that the Georgia employment agreement specify whether it is for a specified term, with options to renew, negotiable at the end of any term or “at-will.” Also essential to the term of employment are factors such as deferred compensation, health insurance, 401K benefits, and a host of other compensation issues.

2. Position, Job Responsibilities, and Function: Georgia employment agreements should contain specific terms, which set forth the employee’s status with the business, the responsibilities of both the employee to the business and employer, but the business and employer to the employee (i.e. training, travel expense account, etc.).

Continue reading "WRITTEN GEORGIA BUSINESS CONTRACTS ARE A MUST IN ANY GEORGIA BUSINESS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT OR FOR ANY OTHER GEORGIA BUSINESS CONTRACT OR AGREEMENT SITUATION " »

One of the most important services an experienced Georgia business lawyer can offer you and your business is knowledge, expertise, personalized legal guidance, and greatly increased chances your GA business will be successful, profitable and sustainable. Lawyers, unlike legal document services, know the problems encountered by GA businesses similar to yours, the GA state and federal courts and the government agencies you will inevitably interact with and the consequences a minor mistake or careless assumption may cause. These consequences can be costly, permanent, or even fatal to your business and your personal finances and welfare. As an experienced business lawyer in Georgia, I have found many of these problematic business situations arise out of faulty legal documents, improper business contracts, agreements or transactions. These are just some of the compelling reasons you should consider hiring a Georgia business law firm to assist and guide you in your business dealings.

Moreover, if your business is successful, the chances are good that you will need a good GA business lawyer again. Our Firm receives repeat Georgia business referrals constantly from clients who I have helped start their own Georgia business, and who later found that they needed other legal services, like reviewing a Georgia lease or taking their business to the next level of growth and profitability. In contrast, I also receive a large number of referrals from business owners send troubled colleagues my way so for resolution of a Georgia business dispute which otherwise could have been avoided had these business owners taken the time to get their businesses off to a good start with proper legal representation. I firmly believe, and have seen time and time again, that it is commonplace prudent business judgment for business owners and entrepreneurs alike to seek the services an experienced GA business lawyer. These services are invaluable and should at the very least, be considered.

A short list of the benefits a GA business lawyer can provide are as follows:

• Advice on which business entity is best for your situation and the best family or friends to involve;
• How to run your business and keep your books in order to get the maximum benefits from incorporation and avoid personal liability by another party “Piercing the Corporate Veil” and being able to access your personal assets for collection on any judgment against you or your corporation;
• An honest discussion of legal liability for the business and for you as an individual;
• Analysis of Georgia laws, county laws, city laws and local requirements will affect your business;
• Assistance with for permits, licenses and zoning and other requirements which will have an impact of your business and are necessary for its operation;
• Advice on the tax consequences and benefits of your GA business entity is subject to or entitled to;
• Assurance that your papers were completed correctly;
• Assistance with GA business contracts in your dealings with your clients and vendors;
• A local experienced GA law firm to call on when issues arise; and, you can be rest assured they will.

Continue reading "PRUDENTLY, PROFITABLY AND LEGALLY DOING BUSINESS IN GEORGIA – BE CAREFUL OF THE MANY TEMPTATIONS AND PITFALLS OF “BEING YOUR OWN LAWYER” " »