BUSINESS
Smart Legal.
McGuire, Wood & Bissette offers comprehensive legal guidance whether you are starting, running or exiting a business. Dedicated to serving your legal needs as a business owner or manager, our Business Team includes attorneys who focus on the following areas:

- Corporate
- Employment
- Tax
- Litigation and Dispute Resolution
- Real Estate and Development
- Trusts and Estates
- Intellectual Property
- Closely Held Businesses
- Economic Development
Our Business Team represents all types of businesses, from publicly traded companies and family businesses to bootstrapped entrepreneurs and international corporations. We have extensive experience assisting businesses with the challenges that are unique to specific industries, such as:
- Real Estate Development
- Health Care
- Manufacturing and Distribution
- Technology and Startups
- Breweries and Distilleries
- Restaurants
- Non-Profits
A Wealth of Experience
Many of our Business Team attorneys have practiced at major law firms in Atlanta, Washington, New York and Raleigh. Several have prior business experience as accountants, bankers or business consultants. The diverse professional backgrounds of our Business Team help us serve the legal needs of your business efficiently and effectively. Representative services provided by our Business Team include the following:
Business Planning, Business Formation and Startups
- Choice of Entity: Limited Liability Companies, Corporations, Professional Corporations, Non-profit Corporations
- Tax Status: C-Corporations, S-Corporations, Partnerships, Disregarded Entities, Tax Exempt Status
- Special Considerations: Family Limited Partnership, Investment Vehicle, Corporate Restructuring, Asset Protection, Startups
- Startups: Business Plan Development and Analysis and Raising Capital
- Cleanup: Entity Conversions
Business Purchase, Sale and Restructuring
- Asset Sales and Stock Sales
- Mergers and Acquisitions
- Joint Ventures and Strategic Partnerships
- Tax-Free Reorganizations including Split-Ups and Spin-Offs
Raising Capital
- Securities Offerings and Private Placements
- Securities Law Compliance
- Private Equity and Angel Investors
- Traditional Bank and SBA Funding
- Debt Funding
- Economic Development Incentives
Contract Drafting and Negotiations
- Buy-Sell Provisions in Shareholder and Operating Agreements
- Non-Disclosure, Confidentiality and Non-Compete Agreements
- Supply-Chain Agreements (including Requirements Contracts)
- Licensing, Distribution and Contract Manufacturing Agreements
- Master Services Agreements, Purchase Orders and General Terms & Conditions
- Independent Contractor and Professional Services Agreements
- Term Sheets and Letters of Intent
- Private Placement Memorandum and Subscription Agreements
- Escrow, Guaranty and Security Agreements
- Asset Purchase, Stock Sale and Assignment Agreements
- Merger, Reorganization and Joint Venture Agreements
- Dissolution and Separation Agreements
Internet and Software Agreements and Policies
- Website Terms of Use, Privacy Policies and Disclaimers
- Website and Software Development Agreements
- Consulting Services Agreements
- Software Licensing Agreements
- Domain Purchase and Transfer Agreements
- Internet Minimum Advertised Pricing Policies
Intellectual Property
- Trademark and Copyright Registration
- Trademark, Copyright, Patent and Product Licensing
- Trademark, Copyright and Trade Secret Maintenance
Commercial Real Estate Transactions
- Purchase and Sale Contracts
- Commercial Leases
- Development
Tax Planning and Wealth Preservation and Transfer
- Corporate, Partnership, LLC and Individual Planning
- Asset Protection and Estate Planning
- Succession Planning and Business Transition
Employment Matters
- Employment Contracts, Non-Disclosure and Non-Compete Agreements
- Employment Policies and Handbooks
- Advice regarding Employee Complaints and Terminations
- Sexual Harassment and Other Employee-Related Investigations
- Representation Before Governmental Agencies
- Representation in Federal and State Courts
- Employee Pay Practices and Pay Audits
- Union Avoidance, Negotiation and Arbitration
Employee Compensation and Benefits
- Leave, Insurance and Other Employee Benefits
- Tax-Preferred Employee Benefits (e.g. Cafeteria Plans)
- Executive Compensation
- Non-Qualified Retirement Plans
- Qualified Retirement Plans
Litigation and Dispute Resolution
- Corporate Litigation
- Employment Litigation
- Real Estate Litigation
- Intellectual Property Litigation
- Estates Litigation
- Alternative Dispute Resolution
Tax Controversy Representation
Debt Collection, Creditor’s Rights and Bankruptcy
Business Termination
- Partner Separation and Withdrawal
- Business Dissolution and Winding Up