Business Law
Strategic Legal Counsel for Every Stage of Your Business
Starting and running a business is an act of courage. It requires vision, hard work, and a willingness to take risks. At the law office of Kenneth D. Bilodeau, we are dedicated to supporting the entrepreneurial spirit that drives our local economy. We view ourselves not just as your attorneys, but as strategic partners in your success. Whether you are launching a startup from your garage, managing a growing mid-sized company, or preparing to sell a business you have nurtured for decades, we provide the legal framework necessary to protect your hard work and facilitate your growth. We understand that in business, legal issues are often intertwined with financial and operational decisions, and we offer counsel that considers the big picture of your enterprise.
The foundation of any successful business is choosing the right legal structure. Many new business owners default to a simple sole proprietorship without realizing the personal liability risks involved. We sit down with you to discuss your business goals, your partnership dynamics, and your risk tolerance to determine the best entity for your needs. Whether it is forming a Limited Liability Company (LLC) to protect your personal assets, incorporating as an S-Corp for potential tax advantages, or establishing a Partnership, we handle all the necessary filings and organizational documents. We explain exactly what corporate formalities you need to maintain to keep that liability protection intact. It is not enough to just file a paper with the state; you need a solid Operating Agreement or Corporate Bylaws. These internal documents are the rulebook for your company, outlining how decisions are made, how profits are distributed, and what happens if a partner wants to leave. Drafting these documents correctly at the start prevents expensive and destructive misunderstandings down the road.
Once your business is up and running, the need for sound legal advice continues. Contracts are the lifeblood of commerce, governing your relationships with customers, vendors, employees, and landlords. We believe that a well-drafted contract is the best insurance policy a business can have. It sets clear expectations and provides a roadmap for resolving issues if things do not go as planned. We assist in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a wide variety of commercial agreements. This includes service contracts that ensure you get paid on time, vendor agreements that guarantee the quality of supplies, and employment contracts that protect your intellectual property and client lists. We caution our clients against using generic “fill-in-the-blank” forms found online. Every business is unique, and your contracts should be tailored to address the specific risks and regulations of your industry.
As your business grows, you may face opportunities to expand through acquisition or the need to bring on investors. These transactions require a keen eye for detail and a thorough due diligence process. We represent business owners in the buying and selling of business assets and stock. If you are buying a business, we help you look under the hood to ensure there are no hidden lawsuits or debts that you would be inheriting. If you are selling, we work to structure the deal in a way that maximizes your return and minimizes your post-sale liability. We handle the complex negotiations and voluminous paperwork involved in mergers and acquisitions, ensuring the transition is smooth and legally sound.
Unfortunately, even with the best planning, disputes can happen. Breach of contract issues, partnership disagreements, and customer complaints are a reality of doing business. When conflict arises, it can be a massive distraction and a drain on your resources. Our approach to business litigation is practical and results-oriented. We aim to resolve disputes efficiently, often through negotiation or mediation, to get you back to business as usual as quickly as possible. However, if litigation is necessary to protect your interests, we are aggressive advocates in the courtroom. We handle cases involving breach of contract, unfair competition, shareholder disputes, and collections, always keeping your bottom line in mind.
We also recognize that a business is often a family’s most valuable asset, which connects our business law practice closely with estate planning. We help business owners plan for the future through succession planning. What happens to the business when you retire or if you pass away unexpectedly? Without a clear plan, a thriving business can quickly fall apart due to leadership voids or family infighting. We help you create a succession strategy that ensures a smooth transfer of power and ownership, whether that means passing the reins to a child, selling to a key employee, or liquidating the assets. We ensure your business legacy endures.
In today’s fast-paced economic environment, having a lawyer who knows your business inside and out is a competitive advantage. We strive to be the “outside general counsel” for our clients. You don’t need to have a legal department down the hall to have immediate access to legal advice. We encourage our clients to call us with the small questions before they turn into big problems. Whether you are dealing with a difficult employee, a confusing regulatory letter, or a lease renewal, we are here to offer quick, reliable guidance. At Kenneth D. Bilodeau ATTY, we take pride in watching our clients succeed. Your business matters to us, and we are committed to providing the legal stability you need to innovate, grow, and prosper.