Your Dedicated Business Attorney
If you’re starting to build or already running your own business, consider partnering with our trusted Fairfax, VA business lawyer. We can advise you through the process of choosing an appropriate structure for your business, and our insights and guidance are extremely beneficial in matters involving contracts, negotiations, intellectual property, and more. Contact our team at Mahdavi, Bacon, Halfhill & Young, PLLC today for comprehensive legal support. We accept calls at any time of day, so don’t hesitate to get in touch.
How Our Firm Can Help
Our lawyers have years of experience in helping clients with diverse legal needs. Whether it’s setting up a business, operating a business, or even ceasing operations at the business, we have you covered for all of your legal business needs. Businesses can run into trouble when they are unaware of the local and federal laws that they need to follow.
If a business is in violation of these laws, then it may face fines or other penalties. This is why it’s important to have our firm assist when things get difficult with the process. We understand the different things that transpire with businesses and can offer our assistance to settle these difficulties. Contact us today for assistance with your business needs.
Support And Guidance When Things Get Tough
Having strong legal support and guidance can turn a difficult situation into a manageable one. Mahdavi, Bacon, Halfhill & Young, PLLC understands the different issues that can arise with the legal system that businesses need to adhere to. When documents are needed to be submitted, and statutes of limitations are needed to be followed, we can offer our experience with those items. If a battle in court ensues or negotiations with other businesses or legal teams are needed, then we can help out with those things as well.
Our experience has seen us help a variety of different businesses with their legal needs to help make sure that they are in compliance with the law or to help them if they get caught up with legal issues. Contact our firm today to get assistance with a business you are forming, operating, or have any other additional questions related to business.
Business Items To Consider
When someone is beginning a business it’s important to consider all of the different things needed to start and run that business. One of our Fairfax business lawyers will go over these things with you in person in even more detail. For starters though, it’s important to ensure that startup costs are considered and that loans are secured legally and in compliance with the law. If employees are needed to be hired, then it’s important to consider the legality of that too and that people with the proper credentials or licenses are hired for the job.
Employment issues are something that may arise too with hiring and having to let employees go and also establishing what wages will be and whether or not to give raises are also things to keep in mind.
Operating costs are another major item to consider so that your business can pay its employees and for supply chain items if and when needed. Getting behind in payments can hurt a business’s image and also get it into trouble if it’s unable to pay for wages and materials. If you are in need of assistance with legal items for a business, then reach out to our firm today for help. We have years of experience in helping businesses get through a variety of different issues and believe that we are the right firm to help you too.
Safeguard Your Company’s Name
You’ll want to be especially proactive when connecting with our Fairfax business lawyer about safeguarding your company’s name(s). Your company’s name is one of its most valuable intellectual property assets, as customers almost certainly identify your brand by your company’s name, first and foremost.
At Mahdavi, Bacon, Halfhill & Young, PLLC, we don’t want you to risk the integrity of your company’s legal name and/or trade name by leaving these assets unprotected. By conducting a thorough trademark search and registering these marks, we’ll help make sure you don’t infringe on the rights of others and can’t reasonably be accused of doing so.
Set Business Goals
It isn’t always easy to know which business goals are attainable, which are smart moves, and which could potentially sink all that you’ve worked so hard to build. Thankfully, our legal team has helped to launch so many businesses successfully that we have a unique professional perspective when it comes to setting business goals. If your company is in need of some guidance – and of some assistance assessing the relative legal and financial risks of different options – we can help.
Minimize Tax Liability
One of the common myths that just never seems to leave the water supply is that only accountants are capable of crafting corporate tax strategies. In reality, multi-service attorneys are often called upon to advise companies on how to minimize their tax liability and on how to respond to tax challenges that arise. There is an entire area of the U.S. Code governed by the rules of “tax law.”
Manage Real Estate Matters
Our legal team regularly handles legal matters concerning real estate on behalf of individuals and companies alike. Whether your new company is looking to develop commercial property, residential property, acquire mixed-use developments, or otherwise obtain premises, we can help. From land use challenges to construction contracts, financing to zoning to indemnity, we can handle it all in ways that serve your company’s unique needs.
If you are hoping to launch a new company or you need legal assistance to better protect the interests of a newly-formed enterprise, connect with our team at Mahdavi, Bacon, Halfhill & Young, PLLC today.
Protecting Your Company From Lawsuits
Our Virginia business law attorneys can help you protect your company from lawsuits by reviewing your contracts to make sure they’re airtight and in compliance with all relevant laws. If someone does sue you or your company, we will be there to represent you in court. The vast majority of lawsuits don’t make it to trial, as settlements via negotiations are often the more efficient and cost-effective option. But to make sure you’re as protected as possible, we’ll integrate the following strategies:
Set Up New Legal Entities
We can help you set up the legal entity for your business. This includes filing the necessary paperwork with the state, drafting articles of incorporation or organization, and obtaining an Employer Identification Number from the IRS. Our team can also help you form other entities like limited liability companies (LLCs) and partnerships, create buy-sell agreements to cover contingencies such as death or disability, and draft agreements for joint ventures.
Draft Employment Contracts
Our Fairfax business lawyer can help you by drafting contracts for your employees. This will help protect your business from any legal issues that may arise from misunderstandings or disputes between you and your employees. Our firm can also help you negotiate terms with potential partners or vendors, and review any contracts that come your way. In addition, we can advise you on the best way to structure your business to minimize your liability and protect your assets.
Draft Non-Disclosure Agreements
When you are sharing confidential information with another person or business, you want to make sure that this information is protected. A non-disclosure agreement (NDA) is a legally binding contract that establishes confidentiality between two parties. This agreement defines what information can and cannot be shared and sets consequences if the NDA is breached. NDAs are often used when businesses are considering working together or entering into negotiations.
Protect Trademarks
Our full-service business law firm can help you protect your business’s trademarks. Trademarks are words, phrases, symbols, or designs that identify and distinguish your goods or services from those of other businesses. A trademark can be a brand name, logo, tagline, or even a scent. Your lawyer can help you choose a strong trademark and clear it for use, file for federal registration of your mark, and police your mark to prevent others from using it without your permission.
Choosing The Best Legal Structure For Your New Business
One of the first “new company launch” steps you’ll need to take with is deciding on a legal structure for your new venture. Every company in the U.S. is structured in one of four broad ways. There are nuances and hybrid models – like limited liability partnerships – that may best fit your needs. But, generally speaking, if you’re familiar with the pros and cons of the four major structures, you’ll have a strong foundation going into your initial consultation with our team at Mahdavi, Bacon, Halfhill & Young, PLLC.
- Sole Proprietorships
Sole proprietorships are the easiest companies to form, as states usually don’t require that owners of sole proprietorships register with the state in any formal way. These businesses may even “spring into existence” as soon as someone starts working for themselves in an independent contractor gig job or by offering some service on a client-to-client basis. If you operate a sole proprietorship, you’ll record your business profits and expenses on your personal tax return each year. You’ll have maximum control and flexibility over how your business is run. Just be careful. If your business is sued or you run up business debts, your personal assets won’t be protected from seizure in the event that the company is liable for a debt, judgment, or fine.
- Partnerships
Our legal team may recommend that you form a partnership if you want the managerial flexibility and control that a sole proprietorship affords but your company will be owned by more than one person and/or entity. Like a sole proprietorship, the most basic partnership structure doesn’t afford any personal liability protection. However, a limited liability partnership does offer some protection, so you’ll want to discuss this option with our team if it interests you. Like sole proprietorships, partnerships are taxed on the personal tax returns of their owners and are not subject to rigorous reporting or government oversight.
- Limited Liability Companies
Limited liability companies (LLCs) are the “middle ground” option between the flexible yet risky sole proprietorship and partnership structures, and the rigid yet safer corporation structure. Like sole proprietorships and partnerships, LLCs offer flexible managerial and operational structures. Like corporations, LLCs offer limited liability protection for those who own them. LLCs can be taxed either on the personal returns of their owners (called members) or they can be taxed as separate entities like corporations.
- Corporations
Finally, if you’re interested in launching a large company that is set to expand rapidly, you may want to enlist the services provided by the Mahdavi, Bacon, Halfhill & Young, PLLC team to help you form a corporation. Corporations are rigidly regulated and must comply with numerous reporting requirements at the state and federal level. They are also subject to a rigid managerial structure. But, if you don’t mind sharing control over your company’s operations with a Board of Directors and you want maximum personal liability protection for yourself and other corporate shareholders, our Fairfax business lawyer team may recommend that you take advantage of the corporate structure for your new company.
Fairfax Business Law Infographic
Fairfax Business Law Statistics
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are approximately 4.4 million new businesses that are started each year in the United States. This number has been increasing in recent years, with a 53% increase from 2019 to 2021. The majority of new businesses are small businesses, with fewer than 100 employees.
Mahdavi, Bacon, Halfhill & Young, PLLC, Fairfax Business Lawyer
11350 Random Hills Rd, Fairfax, VA 22030
Contact Our Fairfax Business Lawyer Today
Business formation is more than just filling out paperwork. It’s about laying a strong foundation for future endeavors, ensuring legal compliance, and safeguarding the venture from potential pitfalls. Virginia’s laws, while designed to facilitate business activities, require careful navigation.
If you’re poised to start a business in Virginia, it’s crucial to partner with experts who are intimately familiar with the state’s legal landscape. We are not just a law firm; we are partners in your business journey. With an unparalleled understanding of business formation laws, we’re here to ensure your business starts on the right legal footing. Don’t leave your business’s future to chance. Contact us today, and let’s embark on this entrepreneurial journey together. Reach out to Mahdavi, Bacon, Halfhill & Young, PLLC to speak with our trusted Fairfax business lawyer now.
Client Review
“Mr. Mahdavi is the man who you want to see when you have a business problem. An industry expert, he’s helped me navigate through complex legal issues. Cannot thank my mentor enough for recommending Mahdavi Bacon Halfhill & Young.”
Mike A
