General Counsel Services

At The Law Office of Dustin I. Nichols, A PC, we offer comprehensive General Counsel Services tailored to meet the unique legal needs of your business. Whether you’re a startup or an established corporation, our team, led by Dustin I. Nichols, provides expert legal advice and support. Our services encompass a wide range of business law aspects, including strategic planning, compliance issues, risk management, and more. We pride ourselves on becoming an integral part of your team, offering ongoing guidance to navigate the legal complexities of your business landscape.

Entity Formation and Upkeep

Choosing the right business structure is crucial for protection, efficiency, and growth. Our firm specializes in the formation and upkeep of various entities including Corporations, Limited Partnerships (LPs), and Limited Liability Corporations (LLCs). We guide you in selecting the most appropriate entity type based on your business goals and operations. Beyond formation, we provide continuous support in maintaining legal compliance and adapting to any changes in your business or the legal environment.

Contract Negotiation and Drafting

Effective contracts are the backbone of any successful business. Our expertise in contract negotiation and drafting ensures that your agreements are not only legally sound but also align with your business objectives. From employment contracts to partnership agreements, our team, led by Dustin I. Nichols, carefully crafts and reviews each contract to protect your interests and foster strong business relationships.

Trust and Corporate Loan Transaction Consulting

Navigating trust and corporate loan transactions requires specialized legal knowledge. We offer expert consulting services in this area, providing guidance through the intricacies of these financial arrangements. Whether it’s structuring a deal, ensuring compliance, or negotiating terms, our team is equipped to advise on all aspects of trust and corporate loan transactions.

Your Strategic Legal Partner in Business

Choosing The Law Office of Dustin I. Nichols means more than just hiring a lawyer; it means gaining a strategic partner committed to the success of your business. Our broad range of services, from entity formation to complex transaction consulting, is designed to provide comprehensive legal support for your business needs. Contact us to learn how our expertise can contribute to the growth and protection of your business.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common questions about entity formation, compliance, contracts, and ongoing legal support for California businesses.

What does outside general counsel do for a business?

Outside general counsel acts as your company’s go-to attorney without the cost of a full-time in-house lawyer. That typically includes reviewing and drafting contracts, advising on day-to-day legal questions, keeping your entity in good standing, and spotting risks before they become disputes, with the benefit of an attorney who already knows your business.

It depends on how you plan to operate, raise money, pay yourself, and eventually exit. Both protect owners from business liabilities when properly maintained, and both pay California’s $800 minimum annual franchise tax. LLCs offer more flexibility and simpler governance, while corporations can be a better fit for outside investors or certain tax elections. We walk through the tradeoffs with you and your CPA before you file.

California entities must file a Statement of Information with the Secretary of State, every two years for an LLC and every year for a corporation, pay the annual franchise tax, and maintain a registered agent. Corporations should also hold and document required meetings. Keeping business and personal finances separate is equally important. Falling behind can lead to suspension and can make it easier for a creditor to pierce the entity and reach your personal assets.

Contracts define your risk. An attorney makes sure the terms you agree to limit your liability, protect your intellectual property, set clear payment and termination rights, and specify where and how disputes will be resolved. Catching a one-sided indemnity clause or a missing limitation of liability up front costs far less than litigating it later.

At a minimum, it should address ownership percentages, management and voting, capital contributions, distributions, and what happens when an owner wants to leave, becomes disabled, divorces, or dies. A clear buy-sell provision, including how the business will be valued and funded, prevents many of the disputes that break up closely held companies.

When a trust, LLC, or corporation borrows or lends money, the lender needs confidence that the entity has the authority to enter the loan and that the right people are signing. We review and prepare the supporting documents, such as certifications of trust, resolutions, and authority opinions, and we review the loan terms to protect the borrower or lender we represent.

Your business is often your largest asset and your largest source of liability. Holding ownership interests in your trust, planning for succession, and structuring entities to separate risk all work together. We coordinate business, asset protection, and estate planning so each supports the others.

Unlock the gateway to safeguarding your assets with a free consultation today.