Willingham & Coté, P.C.
Business & Corporate

East Lansing corporate lawyerFor over 50 years, Willingham & Coté’s Michigan business and corporate law attorneys have been providing legal expertise to both entrepreneurs and nationally recognized, corporate entities.

 

The role of a corporate lawyer is to ensure the legality of commercial transactions, advising corporations on their legal rights and duties, including the duties and responsibilities of corporate officers. Our corporate lawyers assist our clients in various transactions and must have knowledge of aspects of contract law, tax law, accounting, securities law, bankruptcy, intellectual property rights, licensing, zoning laws, and the laws specific to the business of the corporations that they work for.

 

Our team of business law experts know the importance of understanding your business goals and will work alongside you to provide guidance and counseling tailored to meet those goals. Our team has handled various aspects of small local businesses to multi-million dollar transactions. Whether you need sound business documents drafted up or an experienced commercial litigation attorney to fight for your rights, our team of Michigan business and corporate law attorneys are here to serve you.

Contact a Michigan Business & Corporate Law Attorney

Our team of expert attorneys is dedicated to provide you with legal services to protect you and your business, either through providing consulting, the proper business documentation or other matter such as negotiation and litigation.

Michigan Business & Corporate Law Attorney Services

Willingham & Coté’s business and corporate law attorneys represent both large and small organizations in a variety of manners ranging from business formation and planning to dissolution and succession planning. We provide a wide variety of legal business and corporate services in the following areas:

Buying & Selling Businesses

Our business and corporate law attorneys are experts in the negotiation and documentation of asset and stock mergers, acquisitions, and sales of businesses. Willingham & Coté assists clients though all aspects of the transaction including due diligence, confidentiality concerns, tax planning, employment, real estate, state/local regulation, and closing matters.

Dissolution

At the end of a business’ life cycle, it is imperative that a business properly winds down its operations to protect its owners and operators from liability. We draft the necessary agreements and file paperwork with the State of Michigan. We also provide advice regarding proper liquidation of the business assets to protect the owners and operators from claims of third party creditors.

Real Estate

Our business and corporate attorneys have a great deal of experience and expertise in all areas on real estate including acquisition, finance, leasing, development, and sale. We provide legal services to business entities, lenders, and individuals.

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Commercial Litigation

Willingham & Coté attorneys have experience in all forms of commercial litigation. They aggressively represent clients as plaintiffs and defendants—seeking to obtain the best and most cost-effective result possible.

Employment

We provide advice regarding employment matters including at-will and other termination issues, employment agreements, confidentiality and non-solicitation agreements, and employee handbooks. Our business and corporate law attorneys will address your employment issues as soon as possible to prevent employment disputes from occurring.

Business Contracts

We review and draft all types of contracts between our business clients and their vendors, customers, landlords, and other third parties. These contracts include sale of goods agreements, independent contractor agreements, and security agreements. We also review and negotiate with lenders regarding the terms of loan documentation.

Formation of Business Entities

Our attorneys can evaluate the proper choice of entity for your businesses such as a limited liability company, S corporation, C corporation, general partnership, or limited partnership. We prepare and file all of the necessary documentation at both the state and federal levels to form the entity and achieve limited liability protection. We also prepare organizational documents such as bylaws and operating agreements to provide structure to the day-to-day management of the business.

Shareholder Agreements and Succession Planning

We can assist in the harmonious transfer of business interests to new owners or the next generation of owners. Willingham & Coté’s experts can structure buyouts of business interests in the event of an owner’s death, disability, retirement, bankruptcy, or other life-changing event. This is very important to ensure the financial security of the business owner during retirement and the owner’s family. In addition, shareholder agreements are designed to ensure the continued viability of the business itself.

Taxations

Our business and corporate law attorneys are well versed in federal, state, and local tax implications of businesses from the day of formation and continuing throughout their lifespan. We can assist in federal and state income tax, partnership tax, Michigan sales and use tax, real estate tax, and estate and gift tax. We also specialize in litigation of residential and commercial property tax appeals in the Michigan Tax Tribunal based on incorrect valuations and classifications of the property by local assessors.

Members

Scott Breen

Scott A. Breen

Director
Torree Breen

Torree J. Breen

Director
Anthony S. Kogut

Anthony S. Kogut

Attorney