Fayetteville Business Lawyer

Our Business Services

Our firm handles a wide range of business law needs and represents companies in different facets of their work. Some of the services we offer include:

• Business formation and small business counsel
• Mergers and acquisitions
• Employment and termination matters, including policy and handbook drafting
• Drafting, negotiation, review, and enforcement of contracts, including breach of contract disputes
• Business litigation
• Regulation with various local and federal agencies

We also advise farms, food producers and agribusinesses through our agricultural and food law practice, and we defend companies through our corporate defense and insurance defense work. Learn more about some of the services we offer below.

Streamlined Business Formation

If you’re just getting started as a business owner, choosing the right entity for your business and ensuring that you are in compliance with all necessary agencies lays the groundwork for a successful future. By learning more about your business and what you hope to accomplish with it, we can help you find a structure that best fits your needs.

Additionally, our team works quickly to prepare and file necessary documentation, keeping you in compliance with local, state, and federal agencies. We know that once you have your business plan solidified, you want to get started right away—that’s why we strive to make business formation quick and easy.

Save Time on Business Operations

Our firm excels at helping business owners save time and minimize redundant work through our streamlined approach to business operations. Failure to create strong, easy-to-follow protocols leaves room for employees to inadvertently break the law while trying to save time or money. As part of our ongoing relationship, we will ensure that your protocols and procedures align with regulations and best meet the needs of your company.

Contract Creation

The foundation of any business is well-drafted contracts. Many failed businesses that once seemed promising were doomed by contracts that were unclear, unenforceable, or nonexistent. From employment contracts and rental agreements to service provider contracts and vendor agreements, every aspect of your business is governed by some type of contractual agreement.

Our work begins with the creation of a contract. While drafting a contract, we think about your business as a whole and what result you need and the different ways in which the other party may derail the pursuit of that result. We include terms to try to shield you from financial loss and clearly outline exactly what is expected of each party. Rather than assuming that everyone you do business with is operating in good faith, we prepare for the worst by ensuring that your contract gives you options if the other party fails to come through.

Our work also extends to the negotiation, review, and enforcement of contracts. Negotiation is often necessary when parties are dealing with each other for the first time or a large amount of money is at stake, as each party wants a contract that protects their best interests. If your business already has contracts in place, we can conduct an extensive review to look for areas of weakness or terms that the other side could exploit to your detriment. Finally, if a party fails to meet the terms of your contract, we take swift action to enforce the contract and hold the other party accountable.

Regulation Compliance

Depending on the industry you are in, your work may be impacted by a wide range of regulatory agencies and entities. Failing to comply with these regulations can lead to steep fines and penalties that cut into profits and keep your business from running smoothly. We help businesses understand and comply with regulations from a variety of agencies, including the Arkansas Workers’ Compensation Commission, the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services, OSHA, EEOC, EPA, FSIS, USDA, and FDA. By regularly reviewing your practices, documentation, and staffing levels, we can help you stay compliant and avoid disruptions to your daily operations.

Dispute Resolution

When issues arise, prompt resolution is key to minimizing expensive, drawn-out legal battles if possible. In some cases, we recommend alternative dispute resolution that keeps parties out of litigation and attempts to preserve the professional relationship. In others, litigation is the only way to seek justice, get what you deserve, and hold other parties accountable. Through rigorous research and an understanding of your contracts and business laws, we fight aggressively to secure positive outcomes for your business whenever issues threaten your company.

Some of the business disputes we have handled focus on topics like partnership or shareholder disputes, non-compete and non-disclosure agreements, breach of contract issues, theft of trade secrets, and property zoning. Addressing problems quickly often allows us to settle them quickly, avoiding long-term damage to or disruption of your business.

We Take the Routine Tasks Off Your Plate So You Can Do What You Love

As a business owner or partner, you have innovative ideas and projects you want to oversee. The more time you spend handling tedious contract issues or legal tasks, the less time you have to take your company to the next level. Our goal is not to work with you once and be finished. Our goal is to develop a strong professional relationship in which we assist with all of your company’s legal needs, giving you and your employees more time to do what you do best. You get to spend more time running your business, managing employees, and keeping clients happy. We’ll handle the legal work and keep operations running smoothly.

Business Law FAQs

When does my business need a lawyer?

Common times to call a business lawyer are when you form a company, take on a partner or investor, sign a significant contract or lease, hire or fire employees, receive a demand letter or lawsuit, or plan to sell or close the business.

Should I form an LLC or a corporation in Arkansas?

Both limit personal liability, but they differ in management structure, formalities and tax treatment. The right choice depends on your ownership, growth plans and tax situation. Read more about starting a new business in Arkansas and forming a single-member LLC.

Can you review a contract before I sign it?

Yes. We review, negotiate and draft contracts, leases, vendor agreements and employment agreements so the terms protect your business before you are bound by them.

What should I do if I have a dispute with a business partner?

Start by reviewing your operating or partnership agreement, then talk with a lawyer before taking action. Many disputes can be resolved through negotiation or mediation. See your options for settling disputes with business partners.

What should I do if my business is sued?

Do not ignore the complaint, because Arkansas sets strict deadlines to respond. Preserve your records and contact a business lawyer right away. Learn more about what to do if your business gets sued in Arkansas.