Business and corporate law matters often go hand-in-hand. However, it can be difficult to determine which type of legal representative you need, depending on the circumstances of your case. Generally, business law refers to the legal statutes that regulate business litigation, taxes, business operations, employment laws, and the like. Alternatively, corporate law Includes the statutes that govern how businesses are managed, formed, and administered.
While business law is the more broad of the two categories, corporate law may be considered a subset of business law when it comes to the structure, formation, and management of your business. Fortunately, when you have a high powered Las Vegas business attorney from Beckstrom & Beckstrom working for you, you can get the clarity and legal advice you need to ensure your business runs as smoothly as possible and is set up for future success.
Corporate Law: Laws regarding how businesses are merged, formed, acquired, or operated.
What Is Corporate Law?
Corporate law is the set of laws concerning the operation and formation of your business as a corporate entity. Ensuring your business remains in compliance with state and federal regulations is just one element of corporate law. Some of the most common responsibilities your corporate law attorney handles include:
- Management of corporate operations
- Determining how profits should be divided
- Intellectual property laws
- Drafting and reviewing shareholder or investor agreements
- Identifying shares issues
- Remaining in compliance with tax laws
- Transferable shares
- Distribution and taxation of corporate assets
- Writing business contracts
- Delegated management
- Labor laws and employment law violations
- Regulatory compliance
- Discrimination and harassment
- Termination
- Helping companies avoid litigation
- Mergers and acquisitions
- Corporate governance
- Consumer protection
- Business formation
- Breach of fiduciary duty
- Business dissolution
Corporate lawyers generally work within business settings and may be retained as general counsel or outside council to businesses. When this happens, we can work with other departments within a single corporate entity. This way, we can ensure that you remain in compliance with local, state, and federal laws, and make the best business decisions possible for your company.
Corporate law attorneys not only work with business owners, but publicly traded companies, hedge funds, private equity funds, insurance providers, and investment banks. You may want to hire a corporate lawyer if your company needs help with:
- Attracting investors or partners to grow your business
- Avoiding litigation
- Changing the structure of your business entity
- Dissolving a business entity
- Drafting an acquisition, merger, or contract
- Enforcing the terms of a legal contract
- Engaging in international commerce
- Establishing a business entity
- Negotiating important agreements
- Managing litigation
- Mitigating financial risks
- Purchasing a business entity
- Selling a business
- Understanding shareholder obligations and rights
Business Law Definition: Business law includes the laws and regulations that oversee how business entities and organizations are formed, operated, and managed.
What Is Business Law?
Business law is a larger category of laws that can have an impact on corporate entities. While corporate law determines how the business operates, business law focuses more on structure, business decisions, and managing relationships between businesses and their clients, suppliers, vendors, or customers. Your business law attorney should have extensive experience in all matters of litigation, taxation, contracts, and employment laws. Some of the most important responsibilities your business attorney will be expected to handle include:
- Selecting and forming the right business entity
- Assistance with hiring and terminating employees
- Dealing with the legal implications of defective products or delivery delays
- Securing the proper licensing for your business
- Drafting and negotiating business contracts
- Ensuring your business partners and collaborators understand the terms and conditions of your business
- Completing and investigating mergers and acquisitions
- Representing you if your company has been sued or needs to file a lawsuit
- Business succession planning
- Preparing contracts between employees and business owners
- Selling or buying a business or its assets
You may require the support of a business law attorney if you find yourself in one or more of the following situations:
- Developing intellectual property that requires copyright, trademark, or a patent
- Employment disputes, such as discrimination complaints or wrongful termination allegations
- Establishing a new business
- Finding out your under investigation at the state or federal level
- Involvement in litigation or mediation
- IRS audits or other tax disputes
- Protecting businesses from copyright or trademark infringement
| Corporate Law | Business Law |
| Specific contractual agreements | Business relationships |
| Governs legally-binding agreementsbetween parties | Governs businesses and commerce |
| More narrow than business law | More broad than corporate law |
| Multiple parties entering into a contract | Business organizations |
| Antitrust and consumer protection | Interpretation, breach of contract |
How to Choose: Corporate Lawyer vs. Business Lawyer
While a corporate lawyer is responsible for how your business is formed and functions, your business lawyer is responsible for interpreting the law and determining how your business will be affected by certain rules and regulations. Most business owners will benefit from choosing not either a corporate lawyer or a business lawyer, but a legal representative who can handle both corporate and business law needs.
Beckstrom & Beckstrom has a powerful track record of success in handling real estate matters, business law, corporate governance, estate planning, and litigation. We offer our clients customized legal solutions to ensure their goals for their business are met. We form long-lasting relationships with our clients and provide the highest quality guidance and legal advice possible based on the circumstances of their cases.
Contact Our Business and Corporate Lawyers for a Confidential Consultation Today
When you are ready to take your business to the next level, you may require the legal guidance and support of both business lawyers and corporate law attorneys. Fortunately, when you turn to Beckstrom & Beckstrom, we can handle all business and corporate law matters that could affect your company.
Whether you are going to require outside general council or are struggling with a single dispute or legal issue, our team is here to offer you unique, proactive legal solutions. Fill out our secured contact form or call our office to schedule your confidential consultation as soon as today.
