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Business Law

Esteemed South Florida Business Attorneys Safeguard Clients’ Rights

Trusted transactional and trial support for businesses in South and Southwest Florida

Companies deal with a variety of transactions involving their day-to-day operations and long-term goals. When disputes arise, they can disrupt activities and sideline plans, making it important to have a qualified business lawyer on your side from the beginning. Bender, Bender & Chandler, P.A. has been representing businesses across southern Florida since 1981. As skilled negotiators, we are able to resolve many issues outside of court, but we are prepared to take your case to trial if necessary. Our talented litigators have a significant track record of achieving strong results in both state and federal court. Committed to meeting our clients’ ongoing legal needs, we work with businesses of all sizes to ensure transactions go smoothly, to head off potential problems, and to resolve disputes should they occur. Some of the more common legal services we provide to businesses include negotiating, reviewing and drafting contracts, and handling complicated purchase and sale (whether asset or entity based) transactions.

Protecting your rights during contract negotiations and dispute resolution

Contracts are legally binding agreements between two or more parties. It is important for individuals and businesses to understand their rights and duties under each contract they sign. Whether you are dealing with a boilerplate contract or one that addresses every fine detail, you should consult a qualified attorney to make sure the contract is clear and valid and represents your best interests. The accomplished business attorneys at Bender, Bender & Chandler, P.A. have extensive knowledge of contract law and more than 90 years of combined experience representing clients in contract negotiations and litigation — everything from employment and noncompete agreements to business acquisition and shareholder and members operating agreements. We can help you understand basic contract requirements including:

  • Consideration — In every contract, the parties must agree to exchange something of value. The “consideration” is the benefit or compensation that each party will receive or expects to receive.
  • Offer and acceptance — The contract must clearly spell out what is being offered and accepted by each party.
  • Legal purpose — The purpose of the contract must not violate the law. For example, a lender cannot charge interest in excess of what is allowable under applicable usury laws.
  • Capable parties — All parties must be able to understand what they are doing when they sign a contract. Minors, for example, are generally not considered “capable” of entering into a contract.
  • Mutual assent — All parties must agree on the contract terms and intend to be bound by them.

We are available to help you draft, evaluate and enforce business contracts no matter how simple or complex. And in cases of disputes, we work diligently to resolve issues in our clients’ favor, whether that means negotiating a settlement or taking the case to trial.

Professional legal counsel for complex business acquisition agreements

Successful business acquisitions and divestitures require careful strategy followed by negotiations and contract development to make sure the transaction goes through as planned. While the details can vary greatly, business acquisition agreements generally fall into two categories:

  • Entity purchase agreements — These are also known as stock purchase agreements. In this scenario, the buyer acquires a business by buying all or a majority of its stock or membership interest. Generally, the new owner(s) replaces the previous owner(s) and assumes all debts and obligations.
  • Asset purchase agreements — In these agreements, the buyer purchases all the selling entity’s real and personal property, generally including all tangible personal property (e.g., equipment and inventory) and intangible assets (e.g., trademarks and patents), but the company’s corporate or LLC ownership (i.e., its “shell”) remains in place, and the buyer does not necessarily take on the business’s debts and obligations.

If you are considering buying or selling a business, we can help you evaluate all options, identify potential tax consequences and benefits, make and consider offers, draft a formal acquisition agreement, and take steps to avoid and resolve disputes.

Contact a reputable Florida business attorney who will be responsive to your ongoing legal needs

Whether you are forming a business, negotiating a contract, or seeking a satisfactory resolution to a disagreement, the experienced business attorneys at Bender, Bender & Chandler, P.A. will not back down when advocating for your interests. For a frank discussion about your legal rights and options, please call 941-417-0003 EXT 221 or contact us online to schedule a strategy session at our Palmetto law office.

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Our Offices
  • Palmetto Office
    323 Tenth Avenue West
    Suite 301
    Palmetto, Florida 34221
    Phone: 941-723-3425
    Fax: 941-723-3571
  • Miami Office
    980 NW North River Drive
    Suite 128
    Miami, Florida 33136
    Phone: 305-648-1133
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