Business Services

Cochran & Owen, LLC represents a range of private businesses, from large and mid-size companies to small, closely held firms, and has substantial experience in all aspects of business formation, operations and planning. We assist our clients with choosing the right business form, whether a corporation, limited liability company or partnership. This selection process examines factors such as the type of business, location(s) of business facilities, nature of business risks, taxation, passive versus active ownership and business growth and exit strategies. We prepare the organizational documents necessary for the entity, such as articles of incorporation or organization, by-laws or operating agreement, organizational minutes, stock subscription agreements, stock or membership certificates, asset transfer documents and IRS and state tax forms and elections.

Our assistance doesn’t stop once the business gets off the ground. We maintain frequent contact with our clients, and become knowledgeable about their various businesses and industries. We look at our clients’ businesses globally and provide legal advice in the context of the current and future activities of the business. We assist clients in a variety of business matters including general contracts, leases, franchise arrangements, intellectual property asset protection, employment issues, management matters, tax issues and numerous other legal issues involved in the day-to-day operations of the business. Our lawyers are also available to provide expertise with litigation and real estate needs.

We design and implement business succession plans that focus on consistency and continuity of operation upon the death, disability, retirement or separation with the company. Cochran & Owen, LLC is experienced in preparing the necessary documents, such as buy-sell agreements (shareholder agreements), employment agreements and stock option agreements, in order to provide for a smooth transition. We also ensure those documents enhance the individual owners’ estate planning arrangements.

In addition, we advise clients on the most effective way to purchase, transfer or sell their business. This involves helping the client select the most appropriate transactional structure for business and tax reasons, such as an asset sale or stock sale, as well as preparing and negotiating all the appropriate legal documents and closing the transaction.