Emily A. Prestidge, Attorney at Law, LLC takes great pleasure in working with both individuals considering pursuing their dream - - starting their very own business, as well as young businesses facing challenges on the road to growth, stability and profitability.

 

A first issue for all individuals starting a new business is choice of entity - - the opportunity to consider governance issues and preferences, sources of financing and investors, management and tax matters. Considering these issues in a thoughtful, deliberate fashion can help to maximize your objectives while minimizing taxes and unnecessary costs at both the entity level and for the owners personally. While we use paralegals to assist us, we believe the initial meeting to discuss your objectives and review your options cannot be delegated; you will always meet with Emily A. Prestidge, Attorney at Law, LLC to discuss, review and plan for establishing your business entity. Anything short of good planning could jeopardize your business objectives.

 

Choice of entity is only the starting point for your new business. There may be leases to negotiate, both for premises and equipment, bank or other financing matters to resolve, a franchise agreement to pore through and dissect, employment and confidentiality agreements to consider, and more. The list of the myriad of issues which a new or existing business may, and likely will face, is long and varied. Our goal is to represent our business clients for the long term.

 

Once a new business is established, Emily A. Prestidge, Attorney at Law, LLC continues to provide ongoing advice for the wide variety of legal issues which may be confronted by a growing business. Employment contracts and restrictive covenants, financing, corporate governance and shareholder agreements, including Buy-Sell Agreements which allow a company to remain “close” while providing liquidity to the owners, general contracts, acquisitions, mergers and divestitures, are just some of the issues a small business may need to address. Read more about our business services under Corporate Law.

 

 

Incorporation of a business is important to help protect your personal assets when you own a business. Incorporation can sometimes help with deductibility of some expenses under the tax code. Incorporation of a business is best done with the advice of an attorney and with a look to coordinating your business plan with incorporation of the business as one part. We encourage you to discuss with us whether incorporation fits your business needs.

 

Missouri law recognized the formation of Limited Liability Companies. Also known as L.L.C.s. Limited Liability Companies have many of the advantages of a partnership, with its ease of recordkeeping, less intrusive filings, and easy power to amend corporate structure, all while providing good liability protection for the business. Limited Liability Companies should be part of an overall business plan and we at Emily A. Prestidge, Attorney at Law, L.L.C. encourage you to discuss with us how a Limited Liability Company may fit in your business plans.

 

In today's environment, risk management is essential to business planning. Regardless of the type of business you own, there is always the potential for exposure to a law suit. Obviously, working with your insurer is the first step, but there are many legal steps you can take to help manage risk in addition to insurance. Every business should have certain basic risk management plans in place, and we at Emily A. Prestidge, Attorney at Law, L.L.C. encourage you to meet with us to discuss liability and risk management as a part of your broader business plan.

 

Every person who owns a business, regardless of whether you have one or one hundred employees should be proud of that business. Buy/sell agreements can be an effective way to pass your business on to those members of your family or others such as partners or current employees. Buy/sell agreements are and integral part of both business planning and estate planning. At Emily A. Prestidge, Attorney at Law, L.L.C., we encourage you to discuss with us your business succession needs.