The choices made in starting a new business or in operating an existing one on a day-to-day basis are numerous and varied both in complexity and impact. These daily decisions can affect not only the financial security of the business owners themselves but also of their employees and the families of everyone concerned. Cooper & Riesterer, PLC represents businesses of all sizes across a wide spectrum of industries. From setting up new businesses to providing general, transactional, and litigation counsel to large established organizations, Cooper & Riesterer provides the experience, answers, and resources businesses need to succeed.

Beyond pure legal advice, we understand that your business is not like any other. We take the time to fully understand and appreciate the particular aspects of your unique business concern, so that we can evaluate all of the alternatives and help you decide on the course of action that will best meet your needs. Not just to deliver legal advice in a vacuum. Our goal is to ensure we provide the guidance you need in the context of your business environment. We want to your partners in business, not just technical legal advisors.

Initial Organization:

We help our clients get off on the right foot with their new ventures by addressing a wide range of start-up issues including:

• Selecting the appropriate organizational structure (limited liability company, corporation, joint venture, sole proprietorships, etc. Cetera)
• Advising on tax matters where appropriate and coordinating with tax professionals to create a structure that will maximize tax benefits during start-up and during the life of the entity;
• Helping with capital needs, including assessing those needs and helping locate funding sources and options when needed;
• Creating all required initial documentation including Shareholder Agreements or Operating Agreements to clarify the rights of all participants and ensure everyone is on the same page from the start.

Governance:

Business entities are set up to enhance the efficiency of your business and to minimize your personal liability. As you conduct your business, questions and issues are going to arise. We are here to answer those questions and address those issues, to ensure you do not make a misstep that will undo the protections you created for yourself when you set up your organization. We will be there for your business to provide ongoing services, including:

• Reviewing and monitoring the ongoing structural health of your organization to ensure all documents and policies are up to date and, in place where needed;
• Addressing Officer / Director governance and liability concerns;
• Answering ongoing business questions as they arise;
• Drafting documentation required for new or exiting partners; and
• Assisting with restructuring and reorganizing entities when needed and drafting required documentation.

Succession Planning:

As part of our goal to assist businesses with their goals and plans it is critical for every business to keep their ultimate end game or transition plan in sight, even if it is several years down the road. There are many steps a business owner can take over several years of business ownership that can facilitate a transfer that simply cannot be done within a month or two when the owner decides it is time to sell, dissolve or transfer a business. The best succession planning begins years before an anticipated transition. We understand the steps that can be taken and can work with you to ensure your business is structured properly so that you can maximize your goals when you are ready to transition. As examples, those transitions could include:

• Buy-sell agreements with third parties, business partners or employees;
• A merger with or acquisition by a competitor;
• Estate-related business succession plans to transition ownership to family members; or
• A business dissolution