Corporate Law

Aprio Legal offers a full suite of corporate law services designed to support founders, entrepreneurs, and business owners throughout their entire lifecycle.

We offer:

• Entity formation services
• Business structuring legal support
• Corporate governance attorney services
• Corporate contract lawyer services
• Trademark legal services
• Regulatory and compliance guidance
• General counsel legal services
• Exit and succession planning

Aprio Legal combines legal insight with business practicality to deliver holistic corporate operation guidance.

Forming a legal entity with Aprio Legal involves a streamlined, strategic process that aligns with your goals and the right legal and tax structure.

Our process includes:

• Initial consultation: You’ll meet with an Aprio Legal attorney to discuss your business objectives, ownership structure, and long-term vision.
• Entity selection and tax strategy: Our legal team will advise you on the legal and financial implications of the different entity types and how they relate to your success.
• Drafting and filing formation documents: We prepare and file the necessary documents with the appropriate state agency, including Articles of Organization (LLC) or Incorporation (Corporation), Operating Agreements or Bylaws, and Employer Identification Number (EIN) application.
• Governance and compliance setup: Aprio Legal helps you establish your internal governance structure, including shareholder agreements, board resolutions, meeting templates, and state and federal compliance checklists.
• Ongoing legal support: As your business grows, you can retain our services as general counsel to aid you in contract reviews, compliance, restructuring, and employment matters.

When drafting business contracts, think beyond the terms of the deal and focus on reducing risk, clarifying obligations, and checking enforceability.

Make sure to factor in the following:

• Clear definition and scope: Define all key terms and parties involved. Ambiguity can lead to misunderstandings and disputes down the road.
• Roles, responsibilities, and deliverables: Outline who is responsible for what, by when, and under what conditions. Be specific about timelines, performance standards, and quality expectations.
• Payment terms: Include the amount, due dates, methods of payment, and consequences for late or missed payments.
• Termination clauses: State how and when the contract can be terminated, by either party. Include notice requirements and what happens to obligations post-termination.
• Dispute resolution: Specify how disputes will be handled and in which jurisdiction.
  Intellectual property and confidentiality: Address ownership of any IP created during the relationship and clearly define confidentiality obligations.
• Liability and indemnification: Clarify who is responsible if something goes wrong. Include indemnity clauses to protect against third-party claims or damages.
• Compliance with laws: Include a statement that both parties agree to comply with all relevant federal, state, and local laws.
• Force majeure: Account for events outside either party’s control (e.g., natural disasters, pandemics, etc.) that may delay or excuse performance.

Have the contract reviewed by a qualified corporate contract attorney. Even standard agreements can expose you to risk if not properly tailored to your business.

Yes, Aprio Legal can help you register and protect your trademark, from initial strategy to enforcement.

Our team can support you via:

• Trademark clearance search: Before filing, we conduct a comprehensive search to identify any existing marks that could pose a conflict. This reduces the risk of rejection or future infringement disputes.
• Trademark strategy: We advise on which elements of your brand should be protected—such as your business name, logo, tagline, or product lines—and make sure the mark meets federal registration requirements.
• USPTO application and filing: Our attorneys prepare and submit your application to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), making sure the details align with your business’s use of the mark and intended scope.
• Responding to office actions: If the USPTO raises any issues or requests clarification, we handle all correspondence and legal arguments on your behalf.
• Trademark monitoring and enforcement: After registration, we can help monitor for potential infringements and take appropriate action if your rights are violated, whether through cease-and-desist letters or litigation support.

Corporate governance refers to the systems, policies, and practices that direct how a company is managed and controlled. It outlines the roles and responsibilities of the board of directors, executive leadership, shareholders, and other stakeholders, and sets the framework for decision-making, accountability, and ethical conduct.

It matters because it:

• Reduces legal and financial risk: Well-structured governance helps your business comply with regulatory requirements and mitigate issues related to fiduciary duties, conflicts of interest, or mismanagement.
• Increases transparency and accountability: Clear reporting structures and defined responsibilities make sure leadership is accountable to shareholders, employees, and other stakeholders.
• Supports investor and lender confidence: Strong governance signals operational maturity and risk management, which can improve your access to funding and partnerships.
• Facilitates long-term growth: Governance frameworks make it easier to scale operations, manage transitions, and plan for leadership succession or an eventual exit.
• Enhances reputation: Companies with solid governance practices tend to attract stronger talent, maintain better customer trust, and reduce reputational risk.

Yes, Aprio Legal provides outside general counsel legal services.

Here are some of the services we can tailor to your operations:

• Act as your on-call legal team, available to address day-to-day legal questions and urgent issues as they arise.
• Review and draft contracts, from customer agreements to vendor contracts and NDAs, that protect your interests and reduce risk.
• Navigate hiring practices, terminations, policies, and workplace disputes to promote compliance and help minimize liability.
• Advise leadership on fiduciary duties, policy creation, recordkeeping, and compliance with state and federal laws.