Guiding Ohio Businesses And Corporations
Whether you are the sole person within your business or you employ hundreds of workers, Wiles & Richards can help protect your organization and give you the tools you need to stay profitable and legally sound. Because the business entity you choose will impact the protection you receive for your personal assets, it is important to get it right the first time. We can assist business owners with a variety of legal concerns, including business formation, organization, liability for entity debts, management rights, the transfer of ownership interests and many other actions.
Working with an experienced attorney you trust is pivotal when making important decisions for your business. Our legal team is dedicated to helping your entity succeed with thorough preparation and skilled negotiation. You never need to doubt that we have the best interests of your business in mind when we’re advocating for you.
Limited Liability Companies
Generally, limited liability companies are easier to form and to organize than corporations. They are formed by filing Articles of Organization with the Ohio Secretary of State and are usually operated under a written agreement commonly referred to as an “operating agreement.” A limited liability company has “members”, whereas corporation has “shareholders.”
LLCs are also easier to operate and maintain. The laws governing corporations require the shareholders to hold an annual meeting; however, the laws concerning limited liability companies do not. Limited liability companies have a simpler management structure than a corporation. An LLC’s members manage the company, while a corporation has shareholders, directors, officers and employees.
Depending on the business owner’s needs and circumstances, an LLC might provide greater asset protection than a corporation, as the collection remedies of a limited liability company member’s judgment creditor are restricted to only those items that the member would have been entitled as a member of the LLC.
One of our experienced business attorneys can assist you in determining which type of entity works best for your business.
Corporations
Our business attorneys provide a full range of legal solutions to corporations at every stage of the business life cycle, from entity formation to succession planning matters. We are committed to working with our clients – from sole proprietorships to publicly held companies – to create an intimate relationship with each entity. We recognize that in most instances a life’s work has gone into making a business successful, and we work with each client to ensure that your interests are guided and protected.
Commercial
The Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) affects most businesses, including financial institutions, lenders, mortgage companies, finance companies, retailers, wholesalers, distributors, suppliers, shipping companies, and other companies purchasing or selling goods and services. We are equipped to handle all UCC issues that arise, whether our clients operate as a sole proprietor or run a large corporation.
Our attorneys are prepared to handle matters in a broad variety of areas, including corporate sales, transfers, trusts, association, incorporation, construction, franchise, insurance, eminent domain, joint ventures, subchapter S, professional corporations, closely held corporations, nonprofit corporations, commercial litigation and contract negotiation.
Construction
Wiles & Richards offers a full range of legal services for our clients in the construction industry, assisting tradesmen, builders and developers alike in the process of navigating the intricate lien laws, professional negligence claims and complex bidding requirements that accompany this area of Ohio law. Our firm’s extensive background in Municipal and Township law gives us a unique insight into the issues surrounding the construction industry, and we are specifically equipped to work hand in hand with clients from the beginning phases of a project to completion. We provide counsel in the following practice areas:
- Arbitration
- Bidding and bid disputes
- Bond claims
- Change orders
- Claims avoidance
- Contract drafting and negotiation
- Litigation
- Mechanic’s liens
- Mediation
- Notices of furnishing
- Public improvement liens
Insurance Law
The attorneys at Wiles & Richards have developed an extensive insurance defense practice, with decades of experience working in the industry. We strive to maintain a satisfactory balance between negotiation and litigation while working to achieve the most favorable outcome for our clients. Our seasoned litigators have developed invaluable relationships with the risk professionals and in-house counsel of numerous national insurance companies, and we use these connections to further our clients’ needs and goals. We offer legal services and solutions in the following areas:
- Bad faith claims
- Breach of contract
- Denial of claims
- Errors and omissions
- Excess coverage
- Insolvency
- Premises liability
- Products liability
- Property and casualty claims
- Reinsurance
- Reservation of rights