For generations, Jones, Gregg, Creehan & Gerace have been helping startups and entrepreneurs throughout the Greater Pittsburgh Region set their businesses up for success. We deliver comprehensive legal services to clients through all stages of business formation and development.
From selecting the appropriate business entity to creating the necessary legal documents to ongoing counsel on operational matters, we are committed to helping you achieve your business objectives. When you become our client, you can rest assured that we will always work in your best interests. Contact our office today for a consultation with one of our business law attorneys.
Key Considerations in New Business Formation
Whether your business is a startup, an established business interested in a merger, or a small to midsize business looking for growth opportunities, our attorneys can help develop and implement a well-conceived business formation strategy.
As a business owner, your primary concern is protecting your business and your personal assets from legal and tax liabilities. We will help you understand the factors involved in selecting an appropriate business entity, such as:
- Your business objectives
- The individuals involved in the business
- Capital investment
- Financial Considerations
- Management and employee issues
- Regulatory and compliance requirements
Once all the factors are considered, our business formation lawyers will recommend a suitable legal structure, such as:
- Subchapter C corporation
- Subchapter S corporation
- Limited liability company (LLC)
- General partnership
- Limited partnership
- Business Trusts
By helping you understand the implications regarding taxes, exposure to personal liability, and operational flexibility, we can help you select a business entity that protects your interests and best suits your needs. Our attorneys will handle all the details of preparing and filing foundational documents (e.g. articles of incorporation, bylaws, operating agreements), assisting with state and local licensing and registration requirements, and providing counsel on operational matters.
Comprehensive Business Formation Services in Western Pennsylvania
At Jones, Gregg, Creehan & Gerace, our services go beyond preparing and filing legal documents. We advise clients on a range of issues fundamental to forming a new business.
Business Agreements
Depending on the structure of your business, it is crucial to protect your interests through properly drafted business agreements, including:
- Shareholder agreements
- Partnership agreements
- Operating agreements
- Buy-Sell agreements
- Service agreements
- Employment agreements
- Non-disclosure/non-compete agreements
Ultimately, it is crucial to clarify the relationships among owners, employees, and third parties, as well as their rights and responsibilities.
Employment Law Issues
Business owners in Western Pennsylvania must understand their obligations under state and federal employment laws, particularly regarding discrimination and harassment. It is illegal for businesses to make employment decisions (e.g. hiring, firing, compensating) based on protected characteristics such as age, race, sex, color, national origin, religion, or disability.
Moreover, business owners must be mindful of the fact that workplace harassment is considered a form of unlawful discrimination. Finally, businesses in Pittsburgh are bound by wage and hour laws that require a minimum wage and overtime pay for nonexempt employees.
In addition to preparing employment agreements, our employment law attorneys work with clients to design employee handbooks that clearly spell out your business’s policies regarding compensation, employee benefits, work schedules, employee conduct and disciplinary matters, and any other terms and conditions of employment.
Dispute Resolution
While business disputes are common, a dispute that rises to the level of litigation could interfere with the operation and growth of your new business. We work with clients to ensure that any agreements specify the manner in which disputes will be resolved, particularly through alternative forms of dispute resolution, such as arbitration and mediation. In the event that your business is faced with litigation, we will represent your interests in and out of the courtroom.
Business Formation: Intellectual Property Protection
If you are forming a business in order to bring new and innovative products to the market, it is essential to protect your intellectual property, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. We regularly collaborate with a respected network of IP attorneys who can assist with procuring the necessary IP registrations. In addition, having well-thought-out nondisclosure agreements can help to protect your intellectual property from infringement by departing employees, as well as vendors and strategic partners.
Business Transactions
If you are looking to expand an existing business by acquiring a corollary business, we can help you explore available opportunities and will work to structure the intended transaction. We regularly negotiate and prepare transduction documents, such as asset and stock purchase agreements, and help clients proactively address potential legal issues. Above all, we will provide you with trustworthy advice so that you can make informed business decisions.
Contact Our Experienced Pittsburgh Business Formation Attorneys
At Jones, Gregg, Creehan & Gerace, our business formation attorneys have a proven history of helping our clients achieve their objectives. Our success is measured by your success, and we are committed to getting your business up and running expediently. The sooner you contact our office, the sooner you can start your new business with confidence.