Klein, Thorpe & Jenkins represents corporate entities, ranging from small family-owned businesses to much larger regional and national businesses. We assist our corporate clients in all aspects of corporate representation, including, but not limited to:

• Business formation and dissolution
• Employee related matters
• Mergers and acquisitions
• Business succession plans
• Buy-sell agreements
• Liability and insurance issues
• Tax

Business Formation and Dissolution

Our attorneys assist clients who are starting businesses by guiding them through the formation process. We create organizational documents, identify the type of corporate structure most appropriate for them, work through any operational concerns, incorporate or organize within the state of their choice and provide guidance on initial operations. 

We also work with our corporate clients to assist, when needed, with the dissolution processes associated with wrapping up an enterprise in a planned, organized manner, compliant with record-keeping, audit, tax, and related applicable requirements.

Employment-Related Matters

We regularly service businesses in a general counsel capacity, drafting contracts, advising on labor and employment issues, employee benefits and other general transactional needs. We also have substantial experience in handling any commercial litigation on behalf of our corporate clients. 

Mergers and Acquisitions

When business owners are considering selling their business or purchasing a target business, we are trusted advisors who can analyze the structure of the transaction, draft documents to provide long-term advantages and guide the owners through the transaction closing. We can also make connections with related professionals to properly address associated legal, tax and business concerns our clients face when contemplating a merger or acquisition.

Business Succession Plans

Integrating a business succession plan as part of the estate plan is crucial for business owners. Whether our clients are looking to transfer their family-owned business to the next generation or have concerns about limiting transfers of their partners or co-business owners, we address our clients' goals and desires and then appropriately plan and draft to meet them. 

When the next generation is deemed the right choice to take over management, we develop lifetime transfer plans or integrate testamentary transfers via estate plans. In both situations, our attorneys work side-by-side with owners to determine how best to make the transfer seamless with the least amount of interruption to the business upon the transfer.

Buy-Sell Agreements

Should clients be concerned about limiting transfers by other business partners, we counsel on creating buy-sell agreements, including developing the proper funding and determining an appropriate value of the business.

Tax

We counsel our corporate and private entities in tax matters applicable to their operations to ensure ongoing compliance with state and federal tax requirements and procedures.