• Purposeful and effective contract drafting, review and negotiation are vital to the long-term integrity of any business that wants to thrive in competitive markets, particularly in the DFW, Texas region

• Every Texas business needs valid enforceable, written contracts to protect itself from costly misunderstandings or even theft

• There is often an advantage to being the party who drafts the contract initially with favorable terms. It is best to avoid letting an opposing party draft initial terms in most instances. You want the contract to start out looking the way you want it to read

• Legal paperwork can be confusing and sometimes seem overwhelming, especially for start-up businesses or businesses in a state of transitional ownership or management

• Business owners need to be set up for future success, and the legal component is a foundational one

• Relationships for the business should be structured with clearly defined duties and expressly set forth liabilities and interests

• Business owners need their time freed up to focus on business strategy and other non-legal issues. Leave the lawyering to the lawyers, it is much more efficient

• Good business attorneys can perform extensive but efficient due diligence while negotiating exclusivity period issues, ownership interests, vendor transfers, confidentiality and privacy components, technology transfers or other contract transfers, future payments and much more

• Contracts define how a business operates and what terms govern relationships with partners, independent contractors, employees, sales agents, vendors, insurance companies and other important parties. Having an experienced and versatile attorney carefully review and negotiate these agreements is critical for long term health of a business

• It is important that business contracts are drafted in a manner that is clear, comprehensive, and legally sound

• All commercial contracts from employment, vendor, sales, distribution, non-disclosure agreements, licensing, leases, independent contractor agreements and more should be drafted and refined in a manner that suits the needs of a particular business. One size does not fit all

• It may seem cliched to say that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, but minimizing risk and potential exposure has to be front of mind in the early stages of any effective business operations  

• Effective counsel can run reconnaissance and identify potential landmines and misaligned terms in contracts or other documents 

• Any contracts, agreements or documents proposed or drafted by other parties can be reviewed by your own business attorneys and then renegotiated to protect your best interests

• Effective business attorneys can and should take an all-encompassing approach to protecting business owners in the contracts the company requires by providing a wide array of proactive business legal services. Attorneys can also help identify areas of a business that need to be "papered up" with favorable written agreements. 

• We can spot anomalies in your contracts that may have been overlooked

Choice of the right legal entity and its successful initial implementation and organization are part of any forward-thinking business formation.
It is often the first critical step in building a successful business 

• Business formation is the process of deciding how a business will be structured and how it will operate and function legally

• Business formation shapes all aspects of a business, including how taxes are to be filed and paid

• It determines how lawsuits may be defended and prosecuted by the company
  Business formation impacts liability, taxation, management, and future growth

Business owners should feel confident that this important process is being handled by an experienced law firm.  Some examples of the aspects of a business that can be impacted by business formation/entity determination issues:

• Choosing the right business formation is crucial because it impacts liability, taxation, management, and future growth

• Differentbusiness structures offer varying levels of protection for your personal assets from business debts and lawsuits; therefore, liability protection and risk management are at stake

• The chosen entity structure determines how a business income is taxed, impacting the overall tax burden. These questions are often guided by the assistance of a CPA or tax advisor as well

• It's not just a legal formality; it's a strategic decision that can significantly affect a business's success and stability

• Some legal structures provide more flexibility in decision-making and management, while others offer more structure and formal processes. Control and management issues can vary widely depending on which of various entities is chosen

• If raising capital is an issue, certain structures, like corporations, are usually more attractive to investors and may be necessary for securing funding

• The structure chosen can affect scalability. It can impact business decision makers in their ability to adapt to changes, and potentially transition to different structures as a business may evolve in fluid environments

• Choosing the wrong legal entity can lead to unexpected financial burdens, legal issues, and hinder your business's potential. Consulting with qualified and skilled legal and financial professionals is recommended to make an informed decision tailored to your specific business needs 

For entrepreneurs who are ready to begin the business start-up process, our business attorneys can streamline the process by drafting a complete package of corporate formation documents, including certificates of formation, operating agreements, articles of incorporation, buy-sell agreements and much more. One of the key benefits of working with our Fort Worth, Texas business attorneys to form a company is that you can count on your company's filings to be done correctly and in a timely manner. Some of the tasks performed include:

• Help entrepreneurs choose the appropriate business structure (LLC, Partnership, Corporation, Professional Corporation, etc.)

• Prepare and file necessary legal documents, and ensuring compliance with state and federal laws 

• Draft operating agreements and articles 

• Draft Buy-Sell Agreements

• Secure necessary licenses and permits

• Help Texas start-up businesses apply for Employer Identification Numbers (EIN’s) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

• Create custom agreements defining ownership, profit distributions, management duties, etc.

• Craft specifically tailored corporate bylaws covering procedures, governance protocols, equity structures and more

• Finance Agreements

• Independent Contractor Agreements

• Change Orders and Addendums

• Commercial Landlord-Tenant Leases and Agreements

• Franchise Agreements

• Vacation Rental Property Limited Liability (LLC) Formation Documents

• Broker Agreements

• Security Agreements

• Buy Sell Agreements

• Indemnity Agreements

• Collateral Agreements

• Service Agreements

• Farm Equipment Agreements

• Rental Agreements

• Ranch Operation Agreements

• Sublease Agreements

• Membership Agreements

• Partnership Agreements

• Dealer Agreements

• Employment Agreements

• Management Agreements

• Reciprocity Agreements

• Customer Service Contracts

• Foreclosure Agreements

• Fiduciary Agreements

• Shareholder Agreements (SHA's)

• Arbitration Agreements

• Reconciliation Agreements

• Release Agreements

• Non-Disclosure (NDA) Agreements

• Contracts for the Sale of Goods

• Software Development and Services Contracts

• Refrigerated Materials Transport and Delivery Service Agreements

• Non-Solicitation Agreements

• Non-Competition Agreements

• Proprietary Use Agreements

• Employee Confidentiality Agreements

• Retail Purchase Orders

• Installment Contracts

• Settlement Carrier Agreements

• Debt Cancellation Agreements

• Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP) Waiver Agreements

• Sales Agent Agreements

• Payables Agreements

• Agreements with Independent Construction Contractors

• Regional Services Provider Agreements

• Trailer Agreements

• Parcel Contracts

• Courier Delivery Services Agreements

• Standard Operating Procedures Agreements

• Regional Small Parcel Services Procedures Agreements

• Transportation Services Agreements

• Master Service Agreements (MSA's)

• Technology Services Agreements

• Service Order Agreements

• Dealer’s Retail Purchase Orders

• Equipment Purchase Agreements

• Retail Installment Contracts and Security Agreements (Agricultural and Commercial Use)

• Limited Partnership Agreements

• Investor Agreements

• Fee Agreements

• Mutual Performance Agreements

• Contingency Agreements

• Master Broker-Carrier Agreements

• Staffing Services Agreements

• Registered Agent Designations

• Temporary Personnel Services Agreements

• Intellectual Property Agreements

• Refueling Services Agreements

• Forbearance Agreements

• Tolling Agreements

• Representation Agreements

• Severance Agreements

• Assignment Agreements

• Loan Agreements

• Lease Agreements

• Subrogation Agreements

• Contribution Agreements

• Termination Agreements

• Mutual Releases

• Livestock and Equine Facility Lease Agreements

• Separation Agreements

• Temporary Agreements with Independent Contractor

• Consulting Agreements

• Rural Property Grazing Lease Agreements

• Executive Employment Contracts

• Non-Interference and Non-Recruitment Covenants

• B2B and B2C Package Delivery Services Contracts

• Company Operating and Member Agreements

• Promissory Notes and Escrow Account Agreements

• Real Estate Company Limited Liability Corporation (LLC) Agreements

• Independent Carrier Agreements

• Vacation Rental LLC Agreements

• Factoring Agreements

• Agreements for the Sale of Goods

• Guaranty and Suretyship Agreements

• Fleet Leasing Agreements

• Maintenance Agreements

• Intercreditor Agreements

• Consent Agreements

• Franchise Transfer Contracts

• Retainer Agreements

• Truck Rental Agreements

• IT Services Contracts

• Shippers’ Agreements

• Small Parcel Carrier Agreements

• Pharmaceutical Transport and Delivery Services Contracts

• Non-Disparagement Agreements

• Apartment Lease Agreements

• Spousal Consents and Proxies

• Executive Equity Award Employment Agreements

• Recreational Vehicle Rental Agreements

• Courier Delivery Service Contracts

• Asset Purchase Agreements

• Oil and Gas Services Equipment Agreements

• Equipment Registration and Sales Agreements

• Swimming Pool Services Contracts

• Master Motor Vehicle Lease Agreements

• Consent to Terminate Commercial Sublease Agreements

• Contract Courier Agreements for Transport of Radioactive Materials

• Pasture Lease Agreements

• Transfer Agreements

• Owner-Operator Agreements

• Employee Pre-Employment Screening Services Contracts

• Corporate Due Diligence Agreements

• Hold Harmless Agreements

• Motor Vehicle Retail Installment Sales Contracts

• Assumption Agreements

• Distribution Agreements

• Customer List Purchase Agreements

• Drug Company Courier Agreements

• Agreements for Shipment of Tobacco Products

• Settlement Valuation Agreements

• Real Estate Agency Agreements

• Insurance Agency Agreements

• Funeral Services and Interment Agreements

• ERISA Plans

• Physician Services Agreements

• Physician Partnership Agreements

• Agency Agreements

• Protocol Agreements

• Articles of Incorporation

• Insurance Agreements

• Reinsurance Agreements

• Credit Agreements

• Travel Agency Agreements

• Warranty Agreements

• Investor Agreements

• Plumbing Services Contracts

• Retail Service Agreements

• Supplier Agreements

• Operating Agreements

• Articles of Organization

• Charter Agreements

• Association Agreements

• General Contractor Agreements

• Storage Facility Service Agreements

• License Agreements

• Tractor Lease Agreements

• Waste Management Contracts

• Janitorial Services Agreements

• Window Cleaning Services Agreements

• HVAC Services Agreements

• Manufacturing Agreements

• Media Rights Agreements

• Trust Agreements

• Conveyor Equipment Purchase Agreements

• Consulting Agreements

• Protection Services Agreements

• Promissory Notes