Frequently Asked Questions or Concerns

I am an Established Business, why do I need an Attorney to assist me now?

"In the business world, the rear view mirror is often clearer than the windshield."   ~Warren Buffett

Established businesses need regular business and management advice too.  It has been my experience that many business clients and individuals have the perspective that attorneys are a band aid to a legal issue or a “Hail Mary” for bigger issues that have "suddenly" arose.   In reality many of these issues could have been prevented with the correct paperwork or expressed expectations.

As an attorney I have had the privilege of  working with start up companies and multi-million dollar companies.  Let me help you clean your windshield when it comes to assessing some of your potential legal risks that business owners commonly over look.

COntracts and Paperwork will just complicate and slow me down.  Why should I bother, when I have not had an issue?

By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many small businesses (and sometimes larger businesses) feel that contracts complicate matters.   Sometimes businesses are started with great ideas and formed in friendships.  Too often we see these ideas become lost or business overrun with minor issues and disagreements losing their momentum and productivity.

My goal as a business lawyer is to help change your perspective on paperwork.  Contracts and proper employee paperwork gets everyone on the same page and prevents larger disagreements down the road.  It also protects the interests of the business and the relationships vital to the business existence.

DO you have Experience with Department of Labor Appeals?

Yes.  I have assisted companies with Department of Labor Appeals.  It can be intimidating when you have to address a government entity all by yourself.  Even if you are not at fault and above reproach the process can be intimidating.  Whether it is a disgruntled employee claiming they were mistreated or let go unfairly, I can assist you by evaluating your circumstances, looking over your employee policies and procedures in the light of what the law requires, and evaluate the circumstance of the case.  I can also assist you by getting you the proper paperwork and procedures established so that this issue is either avoided or is not as intimidating in the future.  

I have also assisted businesses with responding to Better Business Bureau complaints.

If I do Not have a lot of assets,THen Do I even need to Bother with a will?

Many people think if they do not have a lot of assets or possessions then they do not need a will.   I have seen situations where there was confusion and conflict among family members and I have seen the process prolonged unnecessarily in probate because of the absence of a will.  

Writing a will or creating a trust designates what you prefer to happen with your assets.  In my experience and observations, family members dealing with the loss of a loved one find relief when the family member designates how they want items distributed.

Something commonly overlooked when people discuss if they should create a will or not is what will happen to minor children if a will  or trust is not created.  Having a will , trust, or at the very least designating a custodian for minor children will decrease conflict later on and provide stability for them.

There are so many decisions to make how do I know if I am making the right one when creating a will or trust?

At the end of the day, if you do not write a will or create a trust the statutes of your state will essentially write your will for you.  The court system, probate attorneys, and family members invested in the process will designate how long and drawn out the process will be.  You must ask yourself are the decisions you are making more in line with your wishes than the court would impose?

My Business is a mess, I do not know what legal services or documents I need.  Should I call yoU Once I get organized?

Or

I am a new business/I am creating a business. I do not know what I need right now. Do you know what I need to get started?

Whether you are an established business who wants an assessment of their legal documents or needs legal structure, or a new business needing legal documents for the first time, you should never see it as too late or too soon to reach out for a legal assessment of your documents and risk exposure.

IF I am your client for my Business, then Will you represent me on a Non Business matter?

Here is my lawyer answer.  It depends.  I try to never say never. 

However, business law is my strength.  I will not agree to represent someone in an area of law that I am not experienced or I feel I can provide you with the diligent and competent representation that the Georgia and Florida Bar Rules of Ethics and Professionalism require.  You would not ask your dentist to perform your heart surgery unless he was also qualified and experienced enough to perform that task would you?

Also the Georgia Bar has specific rules about representing entities and rules regarding conflicts of interests.   I must make this decision on a case by case basis in relation to the rules of ethics and professional conduct, Georgia or Florida statutes, relevant case law, as well as a personal evaluation and self reflection.