Corporate Services
Corporate Governance
Entity Formation
Mergers & Acquisitions
Joint Ventures & Partnerships
Private Equity & Venture Capital
Non-Competition, Trade Secrets and Non-Solicitation
Tax Exempt Organizations
Corporate Governance.
In the wake of the corporate scandals in recent years, corporate governance has vaulted to the forefront in almost every company and presented a minefield of concerns and difficulties. We have guided and advised companies through the complexities of this new environment. Our attorneys have extensive experience in counseling officers, boards of directors, special committees and other constituencies through the numerous laws and regulations that impact corporate governance. Not only do we assist our clients in navigating through this new environment and tackling the challenges it creates, but we also work together with them to devise compliance strategies as well as policies to prevent future problems.
Entity Formation.
At Rice & Gotzmer we regularly counsel clients on selecting the best form of business entity for them. We can assist you in evaluating tax considerations, opportunities in a business cycle and your personal goals in order to optimize your business' growth potential. Taking all of these items into consideration, we can recommend the type of entity (corporation, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, etc.) which is best for your particular situation. We also work closely with our clients in developing succession plans through the use of shareholder agreements and buy-sell arrangements. We can also help assure that these business arrangements are optimal from an estate planning perspective.
Mergers & Acquisitions.
We regularly counsel our clients on mergers, acquisitions, sales of businesses (including asset deals, stock deals, and international transactions), as well as corporate reorganizations. We can assist you with due diligence, preparation and/or review of loan agreements and the strategic planning, negotiation and documentation of all aspects of the transaction. We are equipped to address issues involving real estate, environmental concerns, intellectual property and taxes in the context of the particular deal.
Joint Ventures & Partnerships.
When companies and entrepreneurs meet, new ideas are born, the marketplace is enhanced and networks are expanded. By nature, joint ventures and partnerships intermingle various facets of corporate law, including securities, financing and regulatory compliance, mergers and acquisitions and general "contract" expertise. In addition, joint ventures and partnerships tend to require both detailed tax analysis and industry-specific legal knowledge. As a result, Rice & Gotzmer approaches such legal matters from an inter-disciplinary perspective and, when necessary, consults with industry subject matter specialists for specialized advice.
Private Equity & Venture Capital.
At Rice & Gotzmer, we craft innovative, focused and efficient strategies to complete the deal. From monumental to smaller strategic deals, we represent buyers and sellers of companies across many different industries and in all stages of the investment cycle. Whether we represent the source of capital or the entrepreneur or company in search of growth capital, our goal is to provide business solutions to legal problems in all aspects of private investments.
Non-Competition, Trade Secrets and Non-Solicitation.
When employees leave your company, having safeguards in place to protect your assets, particularly trade secrets, confidential information, personal property and customer relationships, is imperative. Agreements restricting competition, the use of confidential information, and the solicitation of customers and employees are frequently key components of an asset protection plan. Because the laws on these restrictions can vary greatly from state to state, we craft tailored agreements to maximize the legal protections available under local laws and the likelihood of enforcement by local courts.
Tax Exempt Organizations.
If you are directly involved with a tax-exempt entity, you know that laws relating to exempt organizations are increasingly complex and highly specialized. We can advise your organization on the key issues it faces, whether it is an issue of corporate governance, a tax matter, a corporate transaction or real estate matter, we have the knowledge, judgement and experience you need.