The Law Office of Wesley Scott Jones, P.C.

wilmington nc business law

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TIPS FOR BUSINESS STARTUPS IN WILMINGTON, NC

An Attorney reviewing documents with clients.When taking the leap to start a business, it pays to have a few skilled professionals behind you. Although you may be a natural with managing finances and employees along with marketing and delivering the goods or services the firm will provide, there’s true piece of mind when all of the bases are truly covered. Local business attorney Wesley Scott Jones has helped hundreds of clients in the greater Wilmington area develop a blueprint for success.

As with most endeavors, creating a foolproof plan is key.  With that idea in mind, please consider these tips for streamlining a business startup.

  • Hire an attorney, such as Wes, who is well versed in all aspects of business and contract law.
  • Hire a local accountant who is also familiar with the territory.  As a business owner, you will discover that in the long run, having experts on your team in those two disciplines is priceless.

Next, your attorney and accountant will be able to advise and guide you on aspects such as:

  • Structuring your business entity
  • Registering with the local, state, and federal tax offices
  • Protecting yourself from deadbeat clients (See: Collection of Past Due Accounts)
  • Preparing for employee issues, such as Noncompetition Agreements, Independent Contractor Agreements, Employment Agreements, and defining your responsibilities to those individuals
  • Contract drafting
  • Draft and implement company policies, including terms of service, disclosure, and privacy matters
  • Financial aspects such as payroll, income tax forms, profit and loss statements

Please note that the above tips are merely suggestions and each company will have its own list of areas to address. Because every business is unique and laws and financial guidelines vary state by state and even county by county, having skilled professionals at your disposal is just the responsible thing to do.

Attorney Wesley Scott Jones would be happy to discuss more about the essential steps you’ll need to consider for your specific company.  To schedule an appointment for a free consultation please give his office a call at now 910-256-5800.

Wesley Jones is a Business Lawyer serving all of Southeastern North Carolina including  New Hanover County (e.g. Wilmington, Kure Beach, Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach and the areas of Ogden, Masonboro, Myrtle Grove, Landfall, and Mayfair), all of Pender County (e.g. Burgaw, Surf City, Hampstead and Topsail Beach) and all of Brunswick County (e.g. Bald Head Island, Bolivia, Calabash, Leland, Shallotte, Southport, Saint James, Ocean Isle, and Oak Island).

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Expert Legal Counsel Can Help Protect Your Small Business

Protect Your Small Business with Legal CounselIf you ask a successful business owner which two outside professionals are indispensable to the operation, the likely answer will be “my accountant and my attorney.”  Why an accountant is beneficial to a small business is pretty straightforward. They can handle the ongoing financial aspects of doing business such as deciphering complicated tax forms, reviewing sales figures, managing expenses, and charting accounts.

When it comes to legal counsel, many small business owners hesitate to retain an attorney after the initial work is complete for the business start up. They typically feel that it is just not necessary to keep in touch with an attorney until there’s a problem. The hole in that approach is that retaining legal counsel can prevent problems from cropping up. Consider it this way: consulting an experienced local business attorney like Wes Jones is equal to the proverbial “ounce of prevention that’s worth a pound of cure.”

Here’s an example of how having legal counsel available comes in handy before problems arise. Attorney Jones can look over your standard contracts or new employee interview questionnaire and bring light to potential situations that could arise. For instance, you may not be aware of certain laws pertaining to anti-discrimination and innocently ask the wrong questions that could justify a lawsuit and big headaches!

Situations like that are why having a consultation arrangement with an attorney, such as Wes Jones is so vital for providing legal review and guidance. Other times when having an attorney on your team is a plus includes:

  • Forming a corporation – Although it is quite possible to file articles of incorporation without lawyers, the administrative side of managing the complex tax and legal requirements often requires the services of a corporate attorney. Also keep in mind that it may be simple enough to form a legal business entity such as an LLC or business partnership without legal help, however, forming a corporation with shareholders and a board is a more complex process.
  • Litigation – This can include dealing with lawsuits by current or former employees or customers, breach of contract matters, debt collection, discrimination or harassment lawsuits, environmental lawsuits, government investigations for legal violations, and a variety of other types of disputes.
  • Buying or Selling a Business – Attorney Jones has years of experience with negotiating sales agreements, lease agreements, and more.

To learn more about how Wes Jones can assist in your business operations, please schedule a consultation by calling 910-256-5800.

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Business Litigation Lawyer in Wilmington, NC

An Attorney reviewing documents with clients.Those that go into business for themselves usually do so for a few reasons:

  • They have found their passion
  • They feel that they can provide their clientele with needed goods or services
  • They are confident that they can make a living through their commercial or business venture

Of course astute owners will be conscientious to ensure that their business operates by the book and that their customers are absolutely satisfied. Unfortunately, even the best-laid plans can take a negative turn. Disputes can arise in cases of business against business or private individual vs. business. Thankfully, many such matters are often resolved through negotiations or arbitration proceedings. When matters cannot be resolved, Business Litigation is an effective means to do so.

Local Wilmington attorney, Wesley Scott Jones, is well-versed in the realm of Business Litigation. Because of its wide scope, when dealing with matters of Business Litigation, it is extremely beneficial to retain the services of an experienced professional. Attorney Wesley Scott Jones has a high degree of expertise in managing disagreements that can result in the various stages of business startup and ownership. He has handled a number of cases involving conflicts between business partners, customers, employees and third party contractors. Jones can also work with clients who are caught in disputes involved in the process of starting up, operating, or dissolving a business.

From banks to builders, small business owners to sub contractors, each different industry comes with a specific set of potential problems. Wesley Scott Jones has gone to bat for his clients on issues representing the full spectrum of possibilities unique to businesses, including general disputes, fraud, bill collection, breach of contract and unfinished work. Choosing a lawyer who is knowledgeable on the multi-faceted world of business law can be invaluable in protecting your rights and your company’s business interests.

To learn more about the various industries Jones has represented and case topics he deals with, please visit this website to learn more: wsjlaw.com/practice-areas-and-services/business-litigation/

To contact the office of Wesley Scott Jones directly, simply call 919-256-5800.

 

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