Haley Palmersheim, S.C. - Madison's Business Lawyers

Business Law

Haley Palmersheim, S.C. has earned the distinction of being called “Madison’s Business Lawyers” due to our focused expertise in virtually all areas of business law. We provide legal service in the following areas:

	Buying & Selling Businesses
	Corporations
	Limited Liability Companies
	Franchise Law
	Buy-Sell Agreements
	Stock Redemption Agreements


Buying & Selling Businesses
In family businesses or small businesses with only a few owners, it is often desirable to restrict who may acquire an ownership interest in the business. A Buy-Sell Agreement is a contract among the owners that dictates the circumstances under which an ownership interest may be sold and to whom. Often, the Buy-Sell Agreement will require a partner who wants to sell to first offer his or her interests to the other partners or to the company. By entering into a written agreement before there is a dispute, business owners are often able to avoid the expensive costs of litigating a dispute. The attorneys at Haley Palmersheim are adept at advising business owners on the various benefits of a Buy-Sell Agreement and drafting an agreement suitable for your business.

Corporations
A corporation is a legal entity completely separate from its owners, even if there is only one owner. Although there are many reasons why people incorporate a business, the primary purpose is to protect the owners of the business from becoming personally liable for business debts. In order to obtain the full protection against personal liability, it is extremely important to take the proper steps in setting up the corporation. The attorneys at Haley Palmersheim are well-versed in corporate law and can advise you on the proper way to organize your business. If the corporation has more that one shareholder, Haley Palmersheim, S.C., can also assist in drafting a Shareholder's Agreement — a contract among shareholders and the company that lays out in advance how certain situations will be handled, such as death or withdrawal of a shareholder.

Limited Liability Companies
A Limited Liability Company is a relatively new type of legal business entity that provides its owners with protection against personal liability, similar to a corporation. An LLC is usually treated as a partnership or sole-proprietorship for tax purposes, while retaining protection against personal liability like a corporation. An LLC is usually ideal for a real-estate holding company and some other types of closely-held businesses. Whether an LLC is an appropriate business alternative to a corporation depends on a variety of considerations. Haley Palmersheim is knowledgeable about the various advantages and disadvantages of LLCs. We can advise you whether an LLC is appropriate and assist you in organizing the LLC. If the LLC has more than one owner, Haley Palmersheim can also assist in drafting the company's Operating Agreement — the contract among the owners and the company that dictates how the company will be run, including the management responsibilities and distribution of profits.

Franchise Law
A franchise is a business opportunity acquired by one person, called a franchisee, in exchange for a fee paid to another person, the franchisor. The business opportunity may include a business plan, marketing strategies, training, advertising and/or an inventory supply structure. Before selling a franchise, a franchisor must register with the state & where the business will be operated and provide the franchisee with certain information. Haley Palmersheim is experienced in drafting and filing the necessary registration materials on behalf of a franchisor, as well reviewing those materials for the benefit of a franchisee. Because the fees paid to a franchisor can run in the tens of thousands of dollars, it is important to have a lawyer review those documents before signing any contract.

Buy-Sell Agreements
In family businesses or small businesses with only a few owners, it is often desirable to restrict who may acquire an ownership interest in the business. A Buy-Sell Agreement is a contract among the owners that dictates the circumstances under which an ownership interest may be sold and to whom. Often, the Buy-Sell Agreement will require a partner who wants to sell to first offer his or her interests to the other partners or to the company. By entering into a written agreement before there is a dispute, business owners are often able to avoid the expensive costs of litigating a dispute. The attorneys at Haley Palmersheim are adept at advising business owners on the various benefits of a Buy-Sell Agreement and drafting an agreement suitable for your business

Stock Redemption Agreements
A Stock Redemption Agreement is a contract by a corporation to purchase its own shares back from a shareholder. When a shareholder in a closely-held corporation is interested in selling his or her shares, the contract is often structured as a stock redemption. The purchase price is only one factor to be considered, and it is important to consult with a knowledgeable attorney about how other terms of the agreement may affect the overall value. The attorneys at Haley Palmersheim are experienced in negotiating and drafting the terms of Stock Redemption Agreements for the best possible benefit to their clients.

1424 North High Point Road, Madison, WI 53562-8005