Business Law Association Law
We represent condominium and community associations in both commercial and residential context. We cover the entire spectrum of legal counseling for associations, boards and owners. Our firm has represented multi-unit association clients in transactional and litigation matters related to community association law, providing guidance on everything from operational questions to assisting with long range strategic plans. We also work to protect the association’s officers from liabilities as stewards of the members funds and property. We also assist associations in fulfilling their duties to the member owners. As representatives of the association, we are there to provide support in the event of litigation. Our goal is to help associations govern themselves efficiently and effectively while explaining and minimizing risk.
BUSINESS LAW – INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Our attorneys work with clients to design effective and unique strategies to meet their intellectual property law needs. Whatever the engagement may be, our firm is committed to understand our clients needs and goals, to evaluate and advise our clients with respect to all matters related to their concern including all implications and the legal issues arising there from, and to assist in developing and implementing creative strategies to meet those needs and goals in a cost effective manner.
Business Law Counseling
Business planning involves working through a maze of complex laws that aim to insure that no one escapes from being regulated and taxed. We do our best to insure and educate you about the most common planning transactions and structures to give you the best possible results in light of the various complex laws. We can assist you in planning for U.S. or overseas investments, in drafting letters of intent, term sheets, purchase agreements and providing legal due diligence for purchasers of businesses at home and abroad, all the while serving your best interests and objectives to the fullest extent of the law.
We apply the various legal disciples of our business expertise to help guide companies through their entire life cycle. Having advised a wide variety of businesses through formation, growth and disposition, we are well equipped to help our clients plan and achieve their goals for each of these phases. We also have expertise in franchising and computer technology issues, and help our clients plan and protect their businesses for all business life cycle phases.
We have substantial experience working with a variety of business owners throughout the Metro-DC area, Regionally and Nationally. Our clients range from small, family-owned business owners to corporations and limited liability companies. We offer our clients a comprehensive level of diversity, professionalism and integrity.
PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS LITIGATION LAWYER
As small-business owners for more than 40 years, we understand the excitement and stressors that accompany owning a business. We have ample experience with the following:
- Employment-related law
- Incorporations, LLCs and partnerships
- Drafting contracts and agreements
- Business litigation
- Breach of contract
- Purchase agreements
- Small-business incorporations
- Family-held business issues
- Small-business law
- Negligent construction or design
Whether you are growing your business or facing a dispute, we are prepared to give you the level of service you desire. We work efficiently and discreetly as we help you grow your bottom line and support your mission. Our clients trust us to give them straightforward advice so they can make educated decisions about their situation.
You will have direct access to one of our attorneys who will take the time and effort necessary to fully understand your issues and needs. We will explore your options and design proposals for you that suit your unique circumstances.
Computer Technology Law
Our computer technology attorneys represent corporate clients, insurance companies, high technology companies and Fortune 500 companies. They are involved in everything from website design to computer programming to assisting businesses in resolving intellectual property, trademark, franchising, contracting and licensing issues. We have also been involved in the recent areas of both “Anti-squatting” litigation and “Spamming” which present interesting and innovative issues for today’s high tech company. We provide advice for all aspects of online contracting, including Hosting agreements, linking agreements, privacy issues, the Electronic Signature Act, and related issues. We also provide our clients with hardware and software system purchase agreements, software licensing and subscription agreements, reseller and distribution agreements, website terms of service and privacy policies, shrink wrap and click wrap licensing agreements.
Corporate Law Structures
We specialize in counseling owners of major corporations and privately held businesses. While we let you handle the operations of the business. Our assistance helps your business navigate through the numerous laws and regulations governing unfair competition, intellectual property, and employee relations, ensuring your business is fully compliant. We also recognize that your business is never a “small business” no matter the size, number of employees, or the amount of revenue received. Among the services we provide are negotiating, contracts, partnership agreements, Corporate and Limited Liability Company formation documents, Succession Planning, and all aspects of buying and selling a business including the preparation of all such related legal documents.
We are heavily involved in all aspects of business law, from small business incorporations, to writing and reviewing contracts and agreements, to breach of contract and business lawsuits. Business and commercial law represents a significant portion of our daily activities. Our attorneys are skilled in the preparation of shareholder agreements and utilization of the S-corporation election. Contracts of all kinds, including all those affecting real, personal and intellectual property interests are carefully prepared, negotiated and reviewed. Employment procedures, employee agreements and manuals are likewise prepared and modified to keep up with current trends in the law.
Franchise Law
Our franchise law attorneys provide expert advice on a wide range of franchise law matters including the preparation, review and negotiation of national/international franchise documents and disclosure statements. They represent both franchisees and franchisors in different franchise systems. We have substantial experience litigating, mediating or arbitrating franchise disputes. We timely file state registrations and fully comply with all federal/international registration requirements.
International Business Transactions
Our firm represents overseas clients involved in international banking, business, and Exchange House transactions in the Middle East and Gulf Region. We provide legal assistance in connection with electronic transfers, foreign exchange transactions, and check remittance. We also advise clients about Federal Regulations pursuant to the USA’s Patriot Act, including all matters relating to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”), correspondent banks and banking relationships, and US Department of Treasury investigations and regulations. We have experience counseling clients about the complex and sometimes confusing US Office of Foreign Asset Control (“OFAC”) regulations, which includes licensing issues, and defending against OFAC investigations and penalties.
Important Regulatory Links:
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network
Federal Deposit Insurance Company
Federal Reserve Board
https://www.federalreserve.gov/
U.S. Treasury Department
https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/Pages/default.aspx
Mergers and Acquisitions
Our attorneys are experts in the area of Mergers and Acquisitions (“M&A”). Our firm has substantial dealings with companies that are purchasing and or merging with other companies. Our M&A lawyers assist our clients with the appropriate financing for mergers and acquisitions and provide advice concerning the drafting, negotiation, and performance of contracts for the sale of all or portions of our clients’ businesses. M&A transactions are among the most complex and significant events in the life of a business, the consequences of which reverberate both internally and externally. The vast majority of our M&A work focuses on the buying and selling of private companies. These can be complicated and can involve either cash or stock considerations. Our attorneys identify the most important client business objectives, build a “road map” for the client from start to finish and include a timeframe, advise on deal and negotiating tactics, conduct due diligence, determine, with the help of tax advisors, tax implications if they require special structuring and work to assess regulatory obstacles, gain regulatory approval and analyze any other requirements for a given transaction.
Regulatory Matters
Mahdavi, Bacon, Halfhill & Young routinely represents entities with regulatory and ethical issues, such as government contractors. Contractors to federal, state, and local government entities are subject to stricter standards and requirements than other businesses in the same industry, and often must file in specialized claim courts when contract terms are changed or the agency does not pay in accordance with its contract.
Federal government contractors are subject to the terms of the Federal Acquisition Regulations, which add to every contract with a federal agency myriad certifications and requirements regarding the contractor’s business, financial, and employment practices. Contractors are also subject to heavy scrutiny with respect to billing and accounting, and thus need advice and counsel regarding issues of fiscal integrity. Anti-kickback and fraud laws applicable to government contractors, including the False Claims Act, carry severe penalties and may result in suspension or debarment of a government contractor from future bids and procurements.
Additionally, service contractors are generally subject to the requirements of the Service Contract Act, which sets minimum wage rates and health and welfare fringe benefits for a range of common employment positions. Penalties for non-compliance with these requirements include unpaid wages and benefits, liquidated damages, attorneys’ fees, and debarment from government contracts.
There are also executive orders that impose further duties upon federal contractors with regard to their hiring and employment practices, and contractors owed by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals may be subject to the terms of the Small Business Administration’s 8(a) program. Most large government contractors must comply with affirmative action reporting requirements imposed by the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs.
Mahdavi, Bacon, Halfhill & Young assists contractors in complying with all of these regulations. The Firm also assists contractors in responding to government audits and addressing disputes with Contracting Officers, seeking equitable adjustments of contract terms, as well as other compliance and litigation issues. In addition, the Firm regularly drafts and reviews subcontracts and teaming agreements for contractors, and advises concerning issues of contract administration and enforcement.
Among other things, Mahdavi, Bacon, Halfhill & Young represents government contractors in the following:
- Government audits and investigations;
- NDAs and related agreements;
- Interpretation issues under the FAR;
- Claims review and analysis, particularly as to regulatory and ethical issues;
- Audits and investigations;
- FOIA requests and litigation;
- Interpretation of IP issues under the FAR
BUSINESS LAW – INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Our attorneys work with clients to design effective and unique strategies to meet their intellectual property law needs. Whatever the engagement may be, our firm is committed to understand our clients needs and goals, to evaluate and advise our clients with respect to all matters related to their concern including all implications and the legal issues arising there from, and to assist in developing and implementing creative strategies to meet those needs and goals in a cost effective manner.
CONTACT MAHDAVI, BACON, HALFHILL & YOUNG, PLLC FOR MORE INFORMATION
In an effort to support the best interests of our clients, we offer competitive fees. Call 703-352-1300 or contact our firm to learn more about how our DC Metro business law lawyers will personally tailor our services to your needs.