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Protecting Your Business and Your Livelihood
Whether you’re the head of a small startup or the CEO of a booming corporation, running a business is no small feat. Complying with all laws related to your business is essential, as breaking them can have legal ramifications. Many business owners work with a business law attorney to protect themselves and their employees in the future.
If you are running a business, having an experienced legal professional on your side is invaluable. At Bloodworth Law, PLLC, we can help you with any business-related matter, including contract negotiations, business formation, insurance law, and more. We are knowledgeable in Orlando and Florida laws, so we can help your business thrive.
Our team understands how essential it is to run your business above board. We are here to answer any questions you may have related to your business or business law. To learn more about our law firm, contact us today by calling 407-449-8958.
What is Business Law?
Business law covers all regulations, laws, and rules related to business organizations. Businesses must comply with both federal and state laws when they deal with other businesses, government agencies, and individuals. Failing to do so can have legal consequences, including fines and even jail time.
Our business law attorneys can help you with the following:
- Business formation: Creating a business involves extensive legal paperwork. We can help you gather documentation and file your business formation documents correctly and on time
- Contracts: Writing contracts correctly helps you avoid disputes later. Whether you’re hiring an employee or signing up a customer, allow us to review your documents before they go out
- Consumer protection: Consumers have specific rights when it comes to buying goods or services. Understanding these rights helps you protect your business when you deal with the public
- Shareholders: Shareholders and partners are vital for businesses, especially in the early days. Creating strong shareholder and partner agreements protects both you and your business
- Breach of contract: Unfortunately, not all parties uphold their ends of contracts all the time. If you are dealing with a breach of contract, our team can help you seek a resolution
- Commercial leases: Many businesses require a commercial lease to rent a storefront or office. These contracts often favor the landlord. We can review your lease to ensure it’s fair to you
- Business purchase or sale: Purchase and sale agreements involve due diligence, risk assessment, and more. We can help facilitate the buying or selling of a business to protect your interests
- Succession planning: Having a succession plan protects your business in the future. An attorney on our team will help you create a plan and formalize it in writing
- Risk assessment: Some businesses have an inherent risk. We will examine your business plan and spot potential risks to mitigate them before they become problems
What Are the Consequences of Not Adhering to Business Law?
Business law protects not only your business but also your employees and your customers. When a business fails to comply with local laws and regulations, there are many consequences that can happen. Some of these are direct consequences, while others are collateral.
The consequences of not adhering to business laws include:
Fines
Health, safety, and other violations can lead to expensive fines for business owners. Paying fines reduces profit, which could be used to grow the business. Some fines can even reach six figures.
Jail Time
While it seems extreme, some rules and regulations come with jail time if not followed.
Business owners may risk their own freedom by not following business law.
Loss of Customers
Consumers want to support businesses that follow the rules and protect their employees. In most cases, when businesses are caught breaking the law, they lose potential and existing customers. Consumers are much less likely to pay a company they can’t trust.
Loss of Licenses or Permits
Most business owners must have a business license to operate their company. Some violations result in the loss of a business license, which essentially shuts down the company. It can also result in the revocation of insurance policies and other permits.
Operational Disruptions
Being shut down for a violation can lead to significant disruptions in operations, hurting your bottom line. For instance, if your business can’t operate without passing a safety inspection, you could lose thousands of dollars in profit as you wait.
Reputational Damage
A business is nothing without its reputation. Consumers, investors, and employees may lose their trust in the company when a business is outed for breaking laws or not following regulations.
How Does Business Law Protect Employees?
Business law not only protects business owners; it’s good for employees, too. The United States and Florida have strict employment laws that protect employees from unfair labor practices. As a business owner, you must adhere to these regulations to ensure your employees are treated fairly and not discriminated against.
Discriminatory hiring practices, inappropriate termination, failure to pay wages, and other similar activities can lead to legal action against your business. By understanding employment laws and how they relate to your business, you can avoid these disputes in the future and keep your employees happy.
Even the threat of a potential lawsuit can be detrimental to small businesses. If you’re hiring employees or you’d like to start hiring, contacting a business law attorney is the best way to protect yourself.
What is Business Contract Law?
No matter what business you’re in, it will involve extensive contracts and contract negotiations. Contract law involves drafting, implementing, and enforcing contracts between businesses. All parties involved in a contract are required to complete their terms as listed. Otherwise, they could face legal action.
Drafting a contract incorrectly can have dire consequences for your business. Because businesses rely on contracts so heavily, it’s essential to have a professional on your team with experience in contract law. Our attorneys can write, review, and revise contracts to protect your best interests. We are confident that we can help you reach your bottom line through every contract you sign.
Contract negotiations are also a big part of business. When you create a contract, it’s very likely that the other party will ask to revise certain terms before signing. Our team can assist you with these negotiations, ensuring that your business is protected and that you aren’t harming yourself in any way.
What is Business Litigation?
When tensions arise during business deals, it can lead to litigation. Litigation means any business dispute that must be resolved in court. In most cases, litigation occurs when there are disagreements over business matters or over a business itself.
For instance, if an employee feels they were discriminated against, they may file a lawsuit against your company. Having a clear employee contract with stipulations and regulations can protect you from this scenario.
Or, if you signed a business agreement with another company to receive goods and they fail to deliver, you now have a breach of contract. In this case, you could file a lawsuit against the company to pay you for any damages you sustained. Our team can represent you in court to help you get a favorable outcome.
Litigation isn’t always the solution for business issues. Negotiating with another party can help you reach a settlement outside of court, which saves both sides time and money. Similarly, mediation can help facilitate difficult conversations so you can come up with a compromise that suits you and the other party.
Businesses often have to deal with legal issues, from minor claims to complex scenarios. Having a business lawyer on your side who is already familiar with your company is essential, as you’ll waste no time introducing someone new to your livelihood. We can evaluate your situation and create a unique legal strategy to protect your business and reach a resolution.
How Do You Know Your Business Needs a Lawyer?
Ideally, you should work with a business lawyer as soon as possible. Even when you’re starting your business, a business lawyer can remain by your side to file paperwork, apply for permits, and more. Having protection immediately can help prevent future disruptions so you can focus on what matters most.
It is always easier to prevent legal issues than to resolve them once they start. No matter how old your business is, an attorney on our team can help you assess and manage risks before they turn into problems. Not only will this save you time, but it will increase your profit in the long run.
If your business is already up and running, you may need an attorney if you are in a dispute with a customer, vendor, or employee. Having an attorney who is already well-versed in your business is crucial. You never know when legal disputes could arise.
As your company grows, your legal needs grow, too. A business lawyer on our team can help you hire new people, add services or products, move into new office spaces, and more. We are here to facilitate your business’s legalities and protect your bottom line.
Do You Need a Business Law Lawyer?
Your business is your livelihood, and you’d likely do anything to protect it. The smartest way to preserve your business is by working with a business law lawyer. At Bloodworth Law, PLLC, we can help you stay above board and in compliance with all relevant laws.
Our team is here to support you with any business-related legal matter. Whether you’ve just started your business or your company has been around for decades, we are confident we can help. For more information, please call us today at 407-449-8958.