Reviewed by Daniel Wagner
As a business owner, you wear many hats, but being an attorney should not be one of them. Whether your business is facing large-scale operations, corporate restructuring, or high-stakes contracts, you should consider retaining outside general counsel. Outside general counsel can also address employment matters, which can often be overlooked by an in-house attorney. To discuss potentially outsourcing legal services, do not hesitate to contact our South Florida general counsel attorneys.
Handling A Larger Workflow
Well-drafted contracts allow a company to maintain an ongoing relationship with clients, vendors, and employees. The more that your business grows, the more frequently contracts will be drafted. There is a greater likelihood of oversight if you rely on in-house counsel to draft, review, and negotiate contractual terms. Additionally, outside counsel has the resources to ensure that every contract meets state and federal regulations as well as industry standards.
Corporate Restructuring
As a business develops and begins to expand into new markets, company processes are likely to be reorganized. If your company acquires or merges with another company, regulatory compliance concerns may arise. Corporate restructuring also forces businesses to look at past contracts to determine which clauses must be revised, terminated, or renegotiated. This process is complex, requiring that you have counsel capable of managing various moving parts.
Each state has different requirements when it comes to corporate restructuring, including specific processes and what paperwork must be filed with the state. Florida law allows certain business entities, such as corporations and limited liability companies (LLCs), to directly convert to another business type without having to dissolve and reform. If your business is considering reorganization, you should speak with our South Florida general counsel attorneys.
Managing High-Stake Contracts
Initially, general counsel may have helped your business increase revenue at a faster rate than operational costs, known as scaling. This is typically done through taking on more high-stakes contracts. However, you may begin to notice that in-house counsel is having difficulty keeping up with the demand. By employing outside counsel, you will have a legal team that can periodically review contracts to ensure that the terms align with your business objectives.
Employment Matters
Hiring and managing employees requires a routine review of employee contracts, handbooks, and workplace policies. Employees function best under established rules, including clear guidelines, workplace discrimination policies, and processes to handle wage disputes. While a human resources (HR) department handles day-to-day operations and employee disputes, it is no substitute for legal guidance. Additionally, legal guidance can ensure compliance with both state and federal labor laws.
Reach Out to Our South Florida General Counsel Lawyers
Expanding your business can be exciting, but it often comes with hurdles. At Gottlieb Wagner, our business law attorneys are ready to help you make decisions that benefit your business and protect your rights. To arrange your free consultation with one of our South Florida general counsel lawyers, contact us online or by phone at (305) 919-7788 at your earliest opportunity.