Every business enters into contracts on a regular basis. Harris Beach Murtha attorneys research, negotiate, draft and administer contracts, including leases, finance agreements, vendor and services agreements, professional services agreements, sales contracts, insurance agreements, software and technology agreements and other commercial contracts. We’ll also help with employment agreements, outsourcing agreements, non-competes, trade secrets, non-disclosure and non-solicitation agreements.

Corporate governance and compliance oversight are important for any business. As general counsel, Harris Beach Murtha will advise corporate directors of their legal obligations under corporate governance laws. We’ll attend board meetings, draft minutes and offer advice on officer and director fiduciary duties. We’ll also prepare appropriate corporate governance documents.

Our attorneys understand the complexities of structuring deals and the importance of speedy transactions. We represent clients in asset and equity acquisitions and divestitures, mergers, joint ventures, change of control and other strategic transactions. We help our clients in all phases of a merger, sale or acquisition transaction, from the negotiation of a letter of intent through the due diligence process, contract negotiation and drafting, closing, post-closing issues, including indemnification claims, deferred purchase price payments, transition services and earnouts.

Our mergers and acquisitions experience includes regulatory due diligence and securities law compliance as well as providing counsel on handling tax, finance, structural, environmental, immigration, ERISA, securities, labor relations and real estate matters associated with acquisitions and divestitures. We know what to expect with these complex business transactions and how to anticipate potential problems so they can be addressed preemptively.

Businesses face risks on a daily basis. Whether it be regulatory compliance matters, corporate governance concerns, tax issues or something else, businesses need daily guidance to evaluate potential risks across the entire enterprise.

Working side-by-side as general counsel, we’ll create a risk-assessment framework, assess risks from all directions and head off issues before they become problems. Should a risk be realized, we’ll work with the senior management team to mitigate damage.

As your general counsel, we’ll provide legal and technical support to protect digital assets and business interests, including advisement on following the National Institute of Standards and Technology protocols. Our attorneys have experience with compliance counseling and legal risk assessments to defense in litigation and regulatory investigations, as well as guidance necessary to manage the potentially devastating risks associated with the theft or compromise of intellectual property or the personal information of customers or employees.

Harris Beach Murtha conducts assessments to identify gaps in organizations’ critical risk areas and includes recommendations on how to close those gaps. This includes vendor and contract review, transactional due diligence, evaluating cyber insurance policies and counseling upper management and board members on the scope of the risk and need for action. We also have a response team in the event of a breach.

Harris Beach Murtha attorneys help identify and address securities law issues in acquisitions, joint ventures, financings and other business transactions. We advise on compliance for federal and state regulatory requirements and reporting under federal and state securities laws. As general counsel, we’ll help with registration of securities with the SEC; mergers and acquisitions involving public company constituents; compliance with listing requirements and stock exchange rules; preparation, review and filing of current and periodic reports under the ’34 Act; Section 16 issues and filings; compliance with the proxy rules for annual and special meetings of stockholders; and insider trading policies.

Even if you are not in the real estate business, your business will have real estate needs – buying or leasing office space, building a warehouse or distribution center or tackling a zoning issue, to name a few. Our attorneys have experience obtaining financing, taking advantage of economic development incentives, collaborating with developers and governments and navigating zoning laws. We help with construction and surety law, commercial leasing and dealing with energy and environmental concerns. As general counsel, we provide guidance and real-world experience on these very important transactions.

Every business will inevitably encounter employment and human resource matters requiring legal guidance. Our attorneys help with hiring, retention, termination, compensation, benefits, employee handbooks and workplace training.

Should conflicts develop between employees, customers, owners and company leaders, we’ll help with pre-litigation/arbitration dispute resolution. We also provide counsel should discrimination matters arise.

As general counsel, we’ll provide experienced and skilled litigation for any legal problem a business may face, from settling labor disputes to defending tort issues if a customer suffers injury from business activities.

Corporate litigation starts with taking steps to avoid litigation. A skilled general counsel provides business-related advice and helps foresee and mitigate risk. And, if your business is served with a lawsuit, your general counsel will work side-by-side with you and your team through due diligence, negotiation and, if necessary, courtroom litigation.

Intellectual property is a key driver of economic growth and often one of an organization’s most important assets. Harris Beach Murtha attorneys help protect clients’ intellectual property, including trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets. As technological advances accelerate the pace of innovation, organizations are turning to intellectual property laws to protect their investments and maintain their competitive edge. Our clients, ranging from emerging businesses to Fortune 500 corporations, count on our attorneys to protect their knowledge-based investments and their brand integrity.

To remain competitive in today’s global marketplace, businesses attract and retain top talent from around the world. Many businesses regularly employ non-residents, presenting unique legal challenges. Our firm has deep experience with nonimmigrant work status, visas, employment and family-based immigration visas, permanent residence status and U.S. citizenship. As general counsel, we develop strategies to ensure businesses hire, transfer and retain the brightest and best non-U.S. talent.

As general counsel, we’ll help clients navigate and strategically integrate aspects of ESG into core business strategies, governance and risk-management. In addition to helping our clients understand, prepare for and comply with emerging laws and regulations, we also help them realize the benefits and risks related to ESG.

Understanding and managing ESG and marketplace expectations has become critical for businesses. Successfully addressing ESG initiatives can impact customer and public perceptions, investor support, attracting and retaining talent and profitability. Our experience across industries, governmental sectors, board and corporate governance and investor and stakeholder engagement enables us to analyze a clients’ unique business needs and attributes and help craft a successful approach to ESG.