Business, Corporate, and Tax Law

Business Organization and Formation

Owning a business has its benefits, but it also has substantial financial risks. Regardless if your money for your business comes from you, family members, or investors – the risks are high. Before opening your doors of business to the public, consider retaining an experienced business law attorney to oversee the legal matters required in starting and managing a business. Your first step in starting a business is the formation; selecting the right entity. Discuss with us your business structure and goals you have, from there we will resolve whether a partnership, LLC, or corporation is a more appropriate fit for your business.

Our legal counsel does not have to stop there. Scott & Scott, P.C. are here to help with the drafting of contracts, pursuing a business merger, help protect your assets and sell stock. Furthermore, we provide representation to settle disputes with employees, vendors, and competitors. If you are in the process of opening a business in Springfield, IL or need legal advice, contact Scott & Scott, P.C.

Contract Law

Contract law refers to a body of law that binds and enforces legal agreements. Contract law entails the legal process of making contracts, ensuring they are carried out, and advocating for a fair resolution when there is a breach.

Businesses and individuals often utilize contracts when buying and selling goods, when licensing products or activities, and in employment and insurance agreements. Contracts are used to ensure that both parties are clear on the terms so that agreements can be carried out as smoothly as possible without misunderstandings. For more information, contact us to speak with a contract attorney.

Litigation

Litigation is the process of resolving legal disputes between two or more private parties in court. If a plaintiff in litigation is successful, judgment is entered in the plaintiff’s favor, and the court may order an award of damages or may impose an injunction to prohibit certain activity or to compel certain activity. Courts may also determine the rights of parties which are in dispute through a declaratory judgment as a means to avoid future litigation. Our firm handles a broad range of litigation matters, including proceedings in the trial courts and appellate courts. Our attorneys are recognized as leaders in the area of litigation and can provide you with quick analysis of what relief is available through the courts as well as whether a more cost-effective resolution could likely be achieved out of court.

Intellectual Property

An IP attorney specializes in intellectual property law, which includes rules for verifying and implementing legitimate rights to creations, structures, and artwork. The law also secures assets like individual property and land. These laws give individuals motivators to improve inventive attempts to gain a profit, which can be beneficial to your local area. We can help with:

The establishment and protection of intellectual capital
Licensing your inventions
Transferring proprietary technology

Drafting licensing agreements
Negotiating settlements
Conducting IP asset due diligence

Real Estate

When you purchase residential or commercial property, it is a large investment. At Scott & Scott, P.C., we help our clients oversee this complex process. We can also provide legal representation for any disputes relating to a purchase or sale. Our law firm provides legal counsel for real estate work relating to the purchase, sale, lease, exchange, and other transfers of residential, commercial, and agricultural property. Some of our tasks include negotiating, drafting and reviewing contracts, reviewing title reports, and preparing deeds and other legal documents to ensure a smooth process in the transition of property ownership.

If you have questions regarding zoning issues, residential subdivision and commercial developments, foreclosures, evictions, leases, or the legal aspects of financing and refinancing real estate, contact our attorneys at Scott & Scott, P.C.

Foreclosures

Some of the most concerning legal issues that we handle for our clients relate to foreclosures and repossessions. Foreclosures and repossessions can occur because of failure to pay your mortgage or other secured debt such as a car loan. While it may seem like you could lose everything, your best move is to contact a foreclosure defense lawyer immediately to discuss your case. If your home is at risk of foreclosure, contact Scott & Scott, P.C. to assess your case so we can try to save your home.

Tax Matters

Our attorneys, one of whom is a certified public accountant and licensed in the United States Tax Court, represent individuals and commercial clients in matters with tax implications, identifying state and federal tax issues and structuring transactions in such a way as to minimize taxes, including estate and gift taxes. We represent clients before state and federal tax authorities and before the United States Tax Court.

Employment Law

We provide a full range of services in the areas of employment law. We assist clients in the negotiation and drafting of employment contacts and employment claims such as breach of contract, retaliation, covenants not to compete, defamation, and wage and hours audits. Some critical employment legal issues we can help with: