Raleigh Business Attorneys
Starting and operating a business is challenging. You need an experienced attorney who understands your unique business needs to help you through this process. Louis Wooten at Louis Wooten, Attorney at Law in Raleigh, NC, offers comprehensive business representation from start-up to dissolution.
Over the last twenty years, Louis has represented both large and small businesses on a variety of legal issues. As a result, he has a broad background and sound understanding of all facets of law relevant to the business owner. Louis is an effective communicator and shrewd negotiator which, when coupled with his years of experience, gives him a unique skill set for addressing the issues that business clients face. Louis works tirelessly to reach a middle ground that protects his clients’ interests while at the same time achieves the overriding business objectives. He is an approachable legal advocate who always puts his clients’ interests first in seeking practical results.
Business Formation
These days, starting a business can be a risky endeavor. Choosing the correct business entity can have lasting implications for the success or failure of your business. Whether you form a Limited Liability Company, S Corporation, Partnership, Joint Venture or other entity, you need to evaluate all of the factors that help determine the best business entity for you. The Louis Wooten, Attorney at Law can help analyze issues such as:
- Liability and asset protection
- Tax law
- Ownership structure
- Management and employment issues
- Administrative responsibilities
- Funding issues
- Profit and loss allocations
- Insurance needs
- Rules and regulations that apply to your company or specific industry
Contract Formation
Once you have formed your business, you will inevitably enter into contracts. Whether it is with your vendors, customers or employees, you need an experienced draftsman to protect your interests. Louis Wooten, Attorney at Law can help you develop strong, “ironclad” contracts that will protect you from future disputes. A well-written contract can prevent disputes with employees, shareholders or disgruntled customers, providing certainty to your business plans. As Louis is fond of saying, “an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.”
Business Disputes
When disagreements arise, Louis Wooten can help you manage the dispute to minimize the impact on your business. Disagreements regarding the company’s direction, conflicts among shareholders or even the actions of a single dissatisfied customer can hurt your bottom line. Whether your issue arises from an outside dispute with a customer or a competitor, or from an internal argument among the owners, Louis Wooten has the experience and negotiating skills to represent you in reaching a satisfactory resolution of the dispute. Mr. Wooten has handled complex business disagreements including:
- Breach of contracts
- Shareholder disputes
- Partnership, LLC and corporate dissolutions
- Employer/Employee disputes
- Debt collection
- Landlord/Tenant issues
- Real property disputes
- Unfair and deceptive trade practices
- Breach of fiduciary duty
In more complex matters, Mr. Wooten will often team up with an experienced commercial litigator so that his clients have the benefit of both his vast knowledge of business law and the experience of a seasoned litigator who is skilled at presenting arguments in open court to a judge or jury.
Tax Planning
Without a full understanding of the complex tax laws that affect your business, you may inadvertently structure your affairs in a manner that causes you to pay more taxes than you should. After law school, Mr. Wooten earned his master’s degree in tax law (LL.M. Taxation) and has the expertise to advise you on the most efficient tax structure for your business affairs in a manner that will be respected by the IRS or other taxing authorities. Louis Wooten, Attorney at Law can advise you on the tax needs for your specific business and ensure that you’ve met all the requirements to operate your company efficiently.
Succession planning is another business need that few anticipate but most face during the life of their business. The transition is often as much an emotional challenge as it is a legal challenge. If you own a family business, chances are you’ve discussed the transfer of management upon your retirement. If you haven’t documented these plans in a clearly articulated succession plan, your business may pass in a manner inconsistent with your wishes. Louis Wooten, Attorney at Law can help prevent this by reviewing your business needs and goals for the future and working with you to establish a solid succession plan that gives you peace of mind and ensures your business’s success for years to come.
