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AdobeStock_404201429-300x130Selecting a legal structure is one of the first decisions you must make when starting a new business in Texas. There are a number of options, and it is easy to become confused if you do not have experience in this area. The Texas start-ups and financing lawyers at Structure Law Group can help you assess your needs and choose a structure that will set you up on a path to success.

The Risks of Sole Proprietorships and General Partnerships

The simplest type of business structure is a sole proprietorship, which essentially has no formal structure. A sole proprietor is an individual who operates the business on their own without the liability protection of a separate legal entity. When two or more individuals operate a business in this manner, it is called a general partnership.

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AdobeStock_713868788-300x158It’s often said that employees are a company’s most valuable asset. Your Texas company likely has several key employees essential to running your operations. So management understandably wants to protect itself if one leaves for another job.

Historically, in Texas and elsewhere, companies have used non-compete agreements to temporarily restrict a key employee’s ability to compete directly against them. The law surrounding non-competes is quite complicated, so it is essential to seek qualified legal advice. The Texas employment attorneys at Structure Law Group can assist you in drafting, reviewing, and enforcing non-compete agreements to ensure that they meet all state law requirements.

Three Requirements in Texas

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AdobeStock_812365342-300x169Every Texas business faces the risk of lawsuits, regardless of its size and scope. Various factors can lead to potential legal challenges, such as a customer claiming a breach of contract or a former employee alleging discrimination. However, businesses can take specific measures to safeguard their owners and assets. The skilled business litigation attorneys at Structure Law Group in Texas can offer detailed legal advice and representation suited to your unique circumstances.

Structure Your Texas Business as an LLC or Corporation

Many Texas businesses start as a sole proprietorship or general partnership. While such structures are simple and inexpensive to set up, they offer no legal liability protection in case of a lawsuit against the business. To put it bluntly, if you are a sole proprietor, any business creditor can come after your personal assets–including your home–to satisfy a business debt.

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AdobeStock_1483539430-300x168Conducting due diligence is a crucial step in any merger or acquisition deal. After making and accepting an offer, the buyer must verify essential information about the seller’s business — a process known as due diligence. The experienced Texas merger and acquisition attorneys at Structure Law Group will guide you through every stage of this process to set your deal up for success.

What Information Do You Need to Review?

In most M&A agreements, due diligence is required as a condition of the buyer’s offer. This is important because if a problem is uncovered, the contract will provide a clear path to resolving the issue or allowing the buyer to back out of the deal. Both parties should avoid closing a deal without conducting due diligence, as it could lead to serious issues arising when it’s too late to address them.

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AdobeStock_1539065348-300x200Every Texas business must take essential steps to protect and enforce its intellectual property rights, with trademarks and service marks being among the most critical. These marks represent your company’s brand and reputation to the world. The Austin intellectual property lawyers at Structure Law Group are here to ensure your marks are properly registered and effectively protected.

How Trademarks and Service Marks Work

A trademark or service mark is any combination of words, phrases, symbols, or designs used to identify a good or service. (A trademark refers to a good, while a service mark refers to a service.) These marks serve several critical functions, including identifying the source of the good or service and providing consumer protection against counterfeiting. However, it is important to understand that a mark does not mean that you “own” a word, phrase, or symbol. Rather, you have the right to use the mark in connection with your company’s specific goods or services.

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AdobeStock_429740779-300x200Are you looking to start a new business in San Jose or Silicon Valley?  If so, congratulations! Among your many decisions will be choosing a business legal entity.  A sole proprietorship is the easiest structure to get up and running quickly. But there are certain legal steps you will need to take to establish a sole proprietorship. And there are potential disadvantages you should consider. The Silicon Valley start-ups and financing lawyers at SLG can provide you with more specific advice related to your situation that will help you choose the right entity for your new business.

What You Need to Know About Being a Sole Proprietor in Silicon Valley

A sole proprietor is an individual who owns an unincorporated business. From a tax and legal standpoint, there is no distinction between the sole proprietor and their business. This has several implications, such as:

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AdobeStock_1422775834-300x164Nobody enters a business partnership or relationship expecting to end up in litigation, but disputes may arise that can only be resolved through a formal legal process. If you are involved in such a lawsuit, the San Jose partnership lawyers at Structure Law Group can provide you with professional advice, guidance, and representation throughout the process.

Why Partnership Lawsuits Happen

Most business partnerships are governed by some form of written contract, such as a partnership agreement, limited liability company (LLC) operating agreement, or corporate bylaws. These documents spell out the legal rights and responsibilities of the owners of the business. So when a lawsuit does arise, it is often because one party to the agreement has alleged a breach or violation on the part of another party.

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AdobeStock_135958555-300x213Texas entrepreneurs often embody a ‘do-it-yourself’ (DIY) ethos. In a typical startup, a compact team of committed individuals assumes various roles across the organization. This approach can be instrumental in driving a company towards success. However, applying a DIY mindset indiscriminately, especially in specialized domains like legal affairs, can be detrimental and lead to significant costs for the business. Entrepreneurs must recognize when professional expertise is needed, particularly in areas with legal implications.

In recent years, we have seen several online services promote DIY legal services as an inexpensive way to help get a business up and running. But when it comes to understanding and complying with the multitude of federal, state, and local regulations that may affect a new business, legal advice is one area where you do not want to cut corners. Instead, you should strongly consider working with an experienced Texas start-up and financing attorney.

Beware of Legal Templates

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AdobeStock_998337525-300x231Corporate acquisitions are rarely simple. Any merger requires careful pre-planning on both sides. And even where there is eagerness to conclude an M&A deal quickly, several steps must be followed to ensure a successful outcome for all parties involved.

At Structure Law Group, our Texas mergers and acquisitions attorneys can assist your business at every stage of a corporate merger. Whether you want to acquire or be acquired, our legal team has the knowledge and specialized skills to guide you through the M&A process. Indeed, an experienced Texas business attorney plays several key roles in preparing, negotiating, and completing a corporate merger. Here are just a few examples:

Performing Due Diligence

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AdobeStock_1534752117-1-300x171John Roberts, Jr., the United States chief justice, used a report on the federal judiciary to comment on the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the legal profession. Roberts noted, “Proponents of AI tout its potential to increase access to justice, particularly for litigants with limited resources.”. The Chief Justice agreed that “[m]any AI applications indisputably assist the judicial system” in helping courts to resolve disputes.

Roberts also predicted that “human judges will be around for a while.” Similarly, while online chatbots may seem like a convenient alternative to hiring an attorney, the team at Structure Law Group encourages you to carefully evaluate your overall legal needs before relying solely technology.

What AI Is–and Is Not

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