Business breakups happen. A partnership is, at its core, a relationship between two or more individuals who join forces to pursue a shared business vision. Like any relationship, it’s natural for partners to face disagreements and disputes along the way. Most of the time, these issues are resolved, allowing the partnership to continue.

As an employer, you must take steps to protect your business interests if an employee leaves. Key employees may try to take customers and clients with them if they quit or you terminate their employment. Using employment contracts can help reduce the risk of losing business to a former employee.

Small businesses need to invest time in developing contracts they use for their business. Contracts protect the business in case of disputes and lawsuits. A Maryland contracts attorney assists small business owners in negotiating contracts, drafting terms and conditions, and representing the company when there is a dispute or breach of contract.

The first step in winding down your business is deciding it is time to close. For some business owners, deciding to close can be the hardest step in the process of exiting a business. Each business is unique. Once you decide to wind down your business, consulting with a Maryland business attorney can help ensure you take all necessary legal steps to close your business.

A business succession plan is a document that guides you through the change in ownership of your company. Business succession plans that are well-crafted include several sections that cover many topics and information.

There are things that you cannot control such as the economy, natural disasters, and the changing needs and desires of consumers. However, you can prepare for some events by purchasing insurance, developing a disaster plan, preparing a business succession plan, and working with professionals such as a Maryland business attorney, accountants, and others to ensure you have adequate plans in place should the unthinkable occur.

A sole prop is the simplest and most flexible corporate form – but the personal liability that attaches to all business operations can potentially create a host of problems later down the road.

Before negotiating a Purchase and Sale Agreement, it is vital to understand the contents of the agreement. An experienced Maryland business transactions attorney can draft a Purchase and Sale Agreement that is tailored to the individual transaction.

Many entrepreneurs discover that they need a competent general counsel at various stages in the business cycle. They need legal services to address matters related to intellectual property, employment matters, contract negotiation, contract review, litigation, and other legal issues. Few small-to-mid-size business owners have the budget to hire outside counsel a full-time, in-house counsel. Retaining a DC fractional general counsel for your company might give you the best of both options.

There are numerous methods for valuing a business. Most valuation methods use a combination of factors to determine the current value of the business, such as assets, revenue, debts, operating expenses, goodwill, market value, and projections. The business valuation method used for a specific company depends on several factors, such as the type of business being valued, the size of the business, and the reason for the valuation. Choosing the best valuation process to use is the first step in the business valuation process.

As a business owner, understanding contracts is crucial to your livelihood. This short video will help you better understand the terms that govern your relationships. If you have questions about a contract matter, talk with a business attorney. Working with a fractional general counsel can make the contracting process more cost-effective for your business.

Business negotiations can be tricky. As parties go back and forth to reach an agreement, the parties are struggling for leverage and favorable terms. In most negotiations, both parties compromise on some issues. Rarely do all parties walk away from business negotiations with everything that they desired when they began the process. Even though negotiation skills are important, it is also important to remember that there is a legal aspect of business negotiations.

Are you ready to sell your business? You have worked hard to build your company, but it may be time to let it go. Whether you are retiring or moving on to another venture, there are many things to consider before you begin the process of marketing and selling your business. Preparing in advance is the key to maximizing the value you receive when you sell your company.

Businesses and companies use NDAs or Non-Disclosure Agreements to protect confidential information. However, if an NDA does not contain certain elements, it may not be legally enforceable. A Maryland business attorney can help you ensure that you include all key elements in your company’s NDA to make the agreement effective and enforceable. Below are five key elements that a business should include in its NDAs.

Starting a new business is exciting. You have an idea for a service or a product you are convinced consumers want. Before offering your product or service to consumers, certain practical and legal considerations must be addressed to protect your business interests and your personal interests. The decisions you make while setting up your new business venture have a significant impact on many short-term and long-term matters and issues.

At work, you may deal with leases, employment contracts, vendor agreements, non-disclosure agreements, and partnership agreements. If you need to review a contract, these seven pro tips from our experienced Maryland business attorney can help you cut through some of the legalese to identify the key terms contained in the contract.

The Fractional General Counsel Model utilizes an up-front fee structure customized to meet the needs of your particular business. This model is particularly beneficial for start-ups, who may not have the budget to hire a full-time counsel, but want to ensure their investment is protected. Check out our latest video on why more start-ups are using fractional general counsel.

An MSA is a Master Service Agreement used by your business that creates a legal relationship between the parties by setting forth the legal terms agreed to by both parties. A SOW is a Statement of Work. SOWs are specific to a job or a client. The SOW establishes the payment terms and project-specific terms for that particular client. The SOW is attached to and governed by the terms of your standard MSA.

Sometimes, individuals confuse a fractional general counsel with in-house counsel because they receive many of the same services from a fractional general counsel as they do from in-house counsel, but the attorney is not an employee of the business nor does the attorney work full time for the company. A fractional general counsel is a part-time attorney who provides on-going legal services for your company at a flat-rate or fixed pricing structure.

Whether you are a new startup, or you have years of business experience, there are easy ways you can screw up your business if you are not careful. Below is a list of the top 10 ways you can cause yourself a lot of grief and potential liability compiled by a trusted Maryland Business Attorney.