Business Law
Counsel that understands what it takes to build and run a business.
Couhig Partners’ attorneys have owned and operated businesses. Our experience elevates the quality of representation and advice you receive.
Our attorneys have run car dealerships, professional baseball teams, professional football clubs, oil fields, and pest control companies. That breadth of experience is more than incidental, it shapes how we think about your business. We understand what is at stake if a contract is signed without the right protections, if a partnership is formed without clear documentation, or if a problem arises when a business can least afford it.
We work with business owners on the legal questions that arise at every stage of a business— from getting the structure right at the start, to protecting what you build as you scale, to preserving it for the next generation.
HOW WE HELP
Business Law Practice Areas
Whether you are starting out, scaling up, or navigating a challenging transition, we provide practical legal counsel rooted in real-world business experience.
Business Formation & Organization
How you structure your business at the outset may have lasting effects. Choosing between an LLC, corporation, or partnership affects taxation, ownership, and what happens if a partner leaves. We help you make decisions thoughtfully and prepare the foundational documents to ensure that your business’s operations are accurately reflected in the structure that governs it.
Ownership & Governance
When ownership and decision-making authority are not clearly documented, disagreements tend to follow. We work with business owners to define how control functions inside the company–who makes which decisions, how profits are distributed, and what happens when an owner exits. A well-drafted operating agreement will not prevent every conflict, but it provides you a clear framework to resolve issues that could pose a risk to the company.
Employment Law & Agreements
Employment relationships create legal exposure that grows with your headcount. We advise business owners on the documentation and agreements that protect the business when an employment relationship ends on difficult terms, including confidentiality, non-compete, and non-solicitation agreements that define a departing employee’s rights and restrictions. We help you put protections in place proactively, and enforce those protections when necessary.
Master Service Agreements
A master service agreement, or MSA, governs an ongoing commercial relationship. Instead of renegotiating terms for every project, an MSA establishes the baseline terms that apply across every engagement with that client or vendor. We draft and negotiate MSAs that define and address the scope of the work, the allocation of risk, payment, and dispute resolution. The result is a relationship with a solid legal foundation before the first project begins.
Business Disputes and Litigation
Business disputes are rarely just legal problems. They drain resources, damage relationships, and pull ownership away from running the company. We evaluate every dispute with that reality in mind. If negotiation or mediation can achieve the right result, we pursue it seriously. If litigation is necessary, we draw on extensive trial experience to advocate effectively and position your case for the best possible outcome.
Business Succession & Continuity Planning
Most business owners spend years building something valuable and little time planning what happens when they step away. Succession planning helps ensure the business can navigate a leadership transition without losing value or creating conflict among the people involved. We work with owners to align their succession goals with their governance documents and develop a plan that reflects their intentions. We also advise on dissolutions and liquidations, when necessary.
GET IN TOUCH
Talk With a Business Lawyer
Your business deserves counsel who understand what it takes to run one. Tell us about your situation and we will provide direct, practical guidance grounded in real ownership experience.
