Business Counsel | Business Law

The attorneys at Walker & Doepfner have substantial experience in the area of business planning and legal counsel. We provide a wide range of services to individuals, corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies, and charitable institutions. Our business clients range in size from small closely-held family businesses to professional associations to multi-million-dollar corporations. We routinely handle all necessary filings with the Secretary of State. We monitor business law changes to help clients minimize negative effects and ensure legal compliance.

For many of our clients, we frequently fill the role of "outside general counsel" for their business matters. In this role we represent clients in all aspects from start-up business formation through succession planning for the next generation management and or ownership. The general counsel role includes all internal corporate governance, transactions with customers, vendors, contractors, employees, and third parties, as well as handling disputes in the same areas.

We believe that the best way to avoid personnel problems is to institute and follow sound personnel policies today. Our practice includes: Employee Handbooks, Policy Manuals, Employee Severance Agreements, Executive Compensation Agreements, Employee and Executive Termination, and Non-Compete Agreements.

We assist clients in the integration of their business planning and estate planning by providing advice on the tax and non-tax issues that apply to the transfer of business assets and ownership interests, including recapitalizations, reorganizations, buy-sell arrangements, employee stock option plans, shareholder agreements, gift programs, and valuation issues. We are often called upon to assist business owners in planning for the eventual transfer of the business to other family members, employees, or third parties.