Contract Law
Denver Business Lawyer Elizabeth Lewis Can Help You with
All Your Contract Law Needs
Contracts are an essential part of everyday operations for businesses big and small. They are also legally binding agreements. Whether the contracts you enter into are for little things, like the lease for your copier, or larger contracts like a multi-year lease on retail space in Denver, it is important to know the legal implications of what you are signing. Elizabeth Lewis is a Denver business lawyer with the expertise that can help your small business with all of its contract law needs.
A contract is an agreement between two or more parties that is enforceable by law. As a small business owner, you may have contracts with customers, vendors, employees, contractors, and other individuals or businesses. If properly written, contracts are a legally enforceable way to safeguard your business and resources as well as your personal assets.
Startup Business Contracts
There are many facets of starting a business, from the realization of your initial idea to expanding to a larger space, and each step of the way brings new challenges. One of the first steps to starting a business is to understand what legal structure your business will operate under. As a trusted Denver business attorney, Elizabeth Lewis can help you determine which type of business structure will most benefit your business: a Limited Liability Company (or LLC), Corporation, Partnership or Sole Proprietorship.
Once you know what kind of business structure is best for your specific situation, you will need specific documents created between you, your partners, and your business. Even if you are the only owner of your business, you may still need agreements between you and your business to help keep your limited liability, if you are applying for special statuses like woman-owned business. In some cases, third parties, such as your bank, may require business agreements to open a banking account for your business. Elizabeth will make sure the contracts you enter into are the best contracts for your business and your needs.
If you are buying into a franchise, having a lawyer examine the contract can help to ensure that you are being treated fairly. Just as the franchise has an attorney or two (or more!) looking out for them, you need someone looking out for you!
If you are in the market to buy or sell a business, it is good practice to have a business lawyer go over the details of the agreements to make sure everything is being done according to the law at both the Colorado state and federal levels. The last thing you want if you buy a business is to find out that the previous owner didn’t really own everything that he said he did and now you paid for assets that aren’t yours!
Ongoing Business Contracts
One of the inevitable parts of doing day-to-day business is dealing with contracts. Contracts help to build both your business and your business relationships. Documents such as your Employment and Independent Contractor Agreements, and Nondisclosure agreements are an important part of staying legally compliant at both the Colorado state and federal level. You will use these documents often, which means it is important to have them done right the first time, and reviewed annually to make sure they still suit your business’s needs and meet current legal requirements.
In the course of running your business, you will likely sign leases for things like machinery, buildings, and even software. You may also enter into Master Service Agreements, Vendor Agreements, and Manufacturing Agreements. Regardless of the scope and context of an agreement, you should have a Colorado business attorney review it before you sign, to make sure you are protecting your business’ interests and staying within the law. In many cases, a bad contract can be even worse than no contract.
Specialty Agreements
There are some agreements which you may only come across on occasion, but they can cause trouble if you lapse. It is easy to lapse on your software licensing contracts, website privacy policies, and website terms of use without realizing it. A small business attorney will ensure you have taken the necessary precautions and represent you in the event of a software licensing violation or dispute about your website.
Other specialized agreements you may encounter are Intern Agreements, which is the agreement used to protect your company and any interns you may hire, and Professional Engagement agreements, which defines the legal relationship between a firm (such as an architectural, accounting, or engineering firm) and a client.
Contract Law Needs Vary
Contract law needs vary a great deal from company to company; depending on the structure and nature of your business, there may be other types of contracts and agreements you should consider having in place, and having reviewed annually. If you have contracts that need to be reviewed or written, contact me, Elizabeth Lewis, at the Law Office of E.C. Lewis, P.C., home of your Denver Business Attorney. Phone: 720-258-6647. Email: elizabeth.lewis@eclewis.com
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The Law Office of E.C. Lewis, P.C. understands that not all business owners can take the time out of their busy schedules to come to an office, appointments are available by phone, online, and through video-conferencing for those individuals who are on the go. Contact the Law Office of E.C. Lewis, P.C. today to schedule an appointment!
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Located in Cherry Creek, the Law Office of E.C. Lewis, P.C. offers clients the convenience of being in the center of the Denver Metro Area, without having to deal with the traffic of downtown Denver.
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Colorado Mandatory Reporters
Colorado law requires individuals in certain professions to report suspected child abuse or neglect. If you have a Denver small business that employs individuals that are mandatory reporters, it is important that you have policies and training in place to help your employees know when and how to report. For more information about whether you employ mandatory reporters and if so, how to work with them, contact your Denver small business lawyer at 720-258-6647.
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Law Office of E.C. Lewis, P.C.
Your Denver Business Attorney
LICENSED IN COLORADO AND NORTH CAROLINA
Mailing Address:
501 S. Cherry Street, Suite 1100
Denver, CO 80246
720-258-6647
Elizabeth.Lewis@eclewis.com