DC Business Attorney

What Can a DC Business Attorney Do For You?

You worked hard to establish and grow your business. You ​carefully invest your time and energy to ensure your business succeeds. However, legal issues arise unexpectedly. Whether you are starting your business or have dedicated years to developing your company, you benefit from sound legal counsel from an experienced, trusted Washington, DC business lawyer.

How Our DC Business Transaction Attorney Can Help You With Your Business Matter and Business Transactions

An experienced DC business transaction lawyer assists you with all aspects of your business, from choosing the right DC business entity to negotiating contracts in your company’s best interest. Whether you are interested in mergers or acquisitions or need to develop an effective exit strategy, Attorney Steve Thienel and the legal team at Thienel Law, LLC are committed to helping you protect your best interests and the best interests of your business.

You can contact us to discover more ways we can help your company.

Overview of Business Law in DC

Business law in DC covers opening a business, closing a business, and everything in between. The law governs how businesses operate within the District, including resolving disputes, abiding by the contract terms, and relationships with their clients, customers, employees, vendors, and any other party transacting business with the company.

Business law matters also include how companies pay taxes, obtain licenses, and acquire permits. The laws dictate what types of businesses can operate in specific areas. Compliance with regulations and laws begins with understanding your responsibilities. Our Washington, DC business lawyer can help you ensure your company follows the law in all matters.

What Types of Matters Can DC Business Law Attorneys Handle for Business Clients?

DC business law attorneys handle all types of business matters for their clients. Examples of business matters attorney Steve Thienel can assist you with include:

  • Selecting a business structure and opening a new business

  • Drafting and reviewing business contracts

  • Identify potential issues within the company that could lead to lawsuits and liability

  • Explain how intellectual property law applies to your situation 

  • Assist with conflict resolution to avoid litigation and legal action

  • Advise you in matters related to employment law firm

  • Draft shareholder agreements 

  • Draft LLC Operating Agreements 

  • Represent your company in commercial litigation matters

  • Work with clients during business mediation 

  • Provide professional recommendations for professionals from a trusted network of seasoned business professionals

  • Represent companies in civil litigation 

If you have a business matter, contact Thienel Law, LLC, to discuss your situation with experienced Washington, DC business lawyer. The best way to protect your company is to understand your legal options.

Choosing a business entity is one of your most important decisions when starting a new business. Your business structure significantly impacts future business affairs. Our DC business transaction lawyer evaluates your business to determine which business entity works best for you. Crucial areas to evaluate when deciding on a business structure include:

  • Ease and cost of formation

  • Tax advantages & liabilities

  • Financing options

  • Future growth

  • Ability to attract investors

  • Operating costs

  • Ease of maintaining the business entity

  • Owner’s risk and liability (owner liability protection)

Depending on the business and your personal circumstances, more weight might be given to some factors. An experienced DC business formation lawyer helps you determine the business entity that provides you with the best protection and benefits while minimizing any downsides.

Starting a Business in DC?

Are you ready to start a business in DC? If so, Attorney Steve Thienel and the legal team at Thienel Law, LLC can help. Filing Articles of Organization and paying a filing fee to the state creates a business. However, many more details must be addressed and handled. When you hire our law firm to handle your business matters, you do not need to worry about these details. We take care of these details so you can focus on growing your new company.

Crafting and Negotiating Contracts in DC

Business contracts are an essential element of business transaction law. When a contract is drafted correctly, it accomplishes your desired outcome while protecting your business and limiting risk.

Contracts can reduce or prevent disputes from arising between parties. A contract helps resolve disputes before they turn into costly litigation. A contract also allows you to take legal action to enforce the terms if the other party breaches the contract.

The type of business you operate and the business structure determine the business contracts you might need. Examples of business contracts our DC business transaction lawyer can craft and negotiate for you include:

  • Employment agreements

  • Lease agreements

  • Insurance agreements

  • Utility contracts

  • Indemnity agreements

  • Sales agreements

  • Non-compete agreements

  • Non-disclosure agreements

  • Partnership agreements

  • Buy-sell agreements

  • And many more

Drafting or negotiating a business contract without a DC business contract attorney is risky. Contracts are legally enforceable agreements. A mistake could turn into a costly situation. Without a thorough understanding of complex contract law, a person could agree to terms and conditions that are unfavorable to them.

At Thienel Law, LLC, our seasoned DC business transaction lawyer drafts and negotiates clear, concise contracts in the best interest of your business. As a result, you do not need to worry about whether you are protected when you sign a contract drafted and reviewed by attorney Steve Thienel.

Establishing a Business Exit Strategy in DC

Most small business owners do not take time to think about how they will exit their business or close the company. Instead, they are focused on growing their company. Therefore, exit strategies are one of the most overlooked business elements.

However, an exit strategy is an essential business element our DC business transaction lawyer can help you develop. It is a strategic plan to sell or transfer your business to another owner upon your retirement, incapacitation, or death.

At Thienel Law, LLC, we help you develop a long-term exit strategy that includes contingencies for all foreseeable events. We prepare for all types of business transfers, including business succession plans, selling your business, incapacitation, and closing your business.

With the assistance of Washington DC business lawyers, you can develop an exit strategy that:

  • Avoids costly disruptions

  • Secures key employees

  • Maximizes profits

  • Prepares successors

  • Decreases tax liability

Your exit plan increases your options for exiting the company and ensures you leave your business strong and ready to move into the next phase of ownership.

Navigating Mergers and Acquisitions in DC

Mergers and acquisitions are common in the business world. Companies acquire other businesses to grow and eliminate competition. Two companies might merge into a new company to increase their presence in the market. Mergers and acquisitions are complex areas of business law. Our experienced DC business transaction lawyer helps you navigate the process to protect your interests.

Whether this is your first merger and acquisition or you have been through several M&A deals, you always want a DC mergers and acquisition lawyer on your side who has substantial experience handling these matters.

We work with clients on all types of mergers and acquisitions, including asset acquisitions, partner buyouts, stock redemptions, and other business sales. As an experienced DC transaction attorney, M&A attorney Steve Thienel identifies legal issues and potential problems related to the transaction. He diligently works to determine the risks and benefits for you now and in the future.

With a clear picture of how the merger or acquisition could impact your overall business plan, we help you maximize your success while minimizing your risk.

Start-Ups: Everything You Need to Know to Maximize Business Success & Minimize Risk

Starting a business? Get up-to-date, expert advice on creating a proper legal framework for your business. From formation and finance to contracting and protecting your intellectual property, this 45-page ebook has the real-world experience and resources you need to form your next business venture.

Why do You need to Hire a Washington, DC Business Lawyer?

It is impossible to anticipate every legal issue that might arise in the future. Likewise, educating yourself about complex business law reduces the time you can devote to operating your business. Additionally, handling business matters without legal counsel can result in costly mistakes and undesirable outcomes.

Instead, hire Washington DC business lawyers to represent your company. Business law attorneys understand the law. They know the best ways to avoid potential legal battles. Hiring a fractional general counsel as your DC business transaction lawyer means you have someone who knows your business and is always available should you need an answer to a legal question or help with a legal matter.

What To Look For in a Business Lawyer

Searching for a business lawyer in DC can be overwhelming. At Thienel Law, LLC, we want to help you do what is best for you and your company. Therefore, here is a checklist for what to look for when hiring Washington, DC business lawyers:

  • Experience in the areas of business law applicable to your business and legal matter

  • Ability to explain legal matters in terms you can understand while guiding you through legal processes

  • A fee structure that works for your budget and needs

  • Always organized and prepared

  • Passionate about business law

  • Strong attention to detail

  • A DC business lawyer with the resources and staff to provide exceptional legal services

  • Creative problem-solving skills to develop effective solutions

  • Willing to make the extra effort to fight for your desired outcome

  • Prompt, effective communication with clients

  • Provides honest, straightforward answers to your questions and concerns

  • Has a positive, confident attitude that encourages collaboration

One of the most important aspects of hiring a Washington, DC business lawyer is that you trust the attorney. You must feel comfortable with your choice. If not, you will not have a successful attorney-client relationship.

What Are the Primary Responsibilities of a Business Lawyer?

Business law encompasses a wide variety of legal matters. The primary responsibility of a business lawyer is to protect your company’s best interest. A business attorney advises clients about business law and their legal options. The attorney represents clients in court, settlement negotiations, and hearings before government agencies.

In short, your business lawyer can help you start a business, grow your business, and develop a long-term plan for your exit from the business. Along the way, your lawyer resolves disputes, protects your company from risk, and assists you with compliance issues.

Working With a Fractional General Counsel in DC

Many small businesses do not have the ability to hire a full-time general counsel for their company. However, that does not mean they would not benefit from having a general counsel on staff. A fractional general counsel lets your small business hire a general counsel on your budget.

Contact Thienel Law today to talk with attorney Steve Thienel about the benefits of hiring a fractional general counsel in DC, including the affordability of a fractional general counsel.

What our clients say…

  • “Unbelievably knowledgeable and responsive, particularly where it concerns ... financial planning matters. I truly feel like Steve cares about me and any issues that I bring before him - in other words, I’m much more than a client.”

    — Rob Gould

  • “Mr Thienel provided very good guidance for me when doing a fairly complicated will and health care document. He worked quickly and efficiently, was very accurate in his work, and provided extremely helpful guidance. His fees were reasonable and he made himself available when I asked.”

    — Lester

  • “Throughout years, Steve has been my go to guy for business, real estate, and legal work. Steve works fast and is highly reliable. I would recommend Steve to anyone.”

    —Tom L.

How much does it cost to hire a business lawyer in DC?

Hourly rates for DC business transactions attorneys can reach up to $600 an hour or more. Most range between $150 an hour for junior lawyers to over $1000 an hour for a managing partner. If you find these numbers startling, remember you can enter into a fractional general counsel agreement for much more affordable legal services for your business law needs and transactional matters.

Whether you need the services of business lawyers to help you with intellectual property law, the formation of business entities, real estate matters, contract disputes, commercial transactions, or another legal issue, you can get the business law legal representation you need at competitive rates. Responsive law appointments from our law offices can be a phone call away. Small businesses can benefit from easy access to a law firm that knows them and their business and has experience in multiple practice areas.

What is the purpose of a business attorney?

Business transactions attorneys can help with business formation, regulation and compliance, intellectual property, corporate law cases, employment law, mergers and acquisitions, real estate transactions, business law, and business conflict resolution. Also, DC business transaction attorneys can help with countless other legal issues that can arise when operating small businesses or large corporations.

Is a corporate lawyer the same as a business lawyer?

No, a corporate lawyer is not exactly the same thing as a business transactions attorney, but sometimes people use the terms interchangeably. Using their correct definitions, a corporate lawyer typically focuses on the formation and operations of corporations and the laws and regulations that govern them. On the other hand, business transactions attorneys usually handle the interactions between businesses and their customers and employees. Still, you will find these terms used with other meanings.

How do I find the best business attorney?

If you have a DC company, you will want experienced lawyers to provide your legal counsel. Your business transactions attorneys should be well-versed in employment and labor laws, know how to avoid commercial litigation, and understands general DC business law. If you have international clients, you will want to select a law firm with a legal team that includes a deep understanding of a broad range of domestic and international business issues.

As a business owner, you will want a law firm where you can feel comfortable when you need to work closely with them. Think about why you need a business transactions attorney. Do you need a law firm to negotiate your real estate deals, draft your transactional documents, and advise you on resolving business disputes with clients to avoid civil litigation?

You should tap into your professional business network for recommendations of business transactions attorneys. When you gather a few names of business lawyers, you will want to meet with each one to find the right DC business law attorney who can meet the needs of your company. Do not be afraid to ask frank questions of the candidates.

What can a lawyer do for a business?

Your DC business law attorney should be able to do the specific tasks for which you hired them. In general, your business lawyer can represent you in business legal disputes, business formation, entity incorporation, intellectual property protection, labor law issues, contract negotiation and drafting, and regulatory compliance matters.

Also, a business transactions attorney can perform an audit regularly of your company to look for regulatory or compliance issues before they become a problem for your company. In any given business, your business law attorney could perform multiple tasks in the best interest of your company.

For example, in the area of intellectual property protection for a company that relies heavily on its trade secrets, patents, or copyrights, a business lawyer could prepare and file the forms necessary to register your patents, copyrights, trademarks, or service marks. They could draft legal documents like nondisclosure agreements and post-employment noncompete agreements to help protect things like trade secrets, secret formulas, and customer lists that cannot be registered for protection.

What lawyers deal with businesses?

Transactional lawyers, corporate attorneys, business law lawyers, and commercial litigators all deal with businesses. Sometimes, a highly experienced business transactions attorney can manage the tasks of all of these areas of law.

Businesses usually hire lawyers to solve their many current legal needs and adapt as the business grows. Typically, a business transactions attorney will advise clients on legal issues that affect their business including business incorporation, contract drafting, entity formation, business strategy, interpretation and negotiation of contracts, intellectual property protection, licensing and regulation issues, and compliance.

Contact Steve today to see firsthand how he can help you protect your legacy.