Corporate Lawyers in Houston: What to Expect

As a corporate lawyer in Houston for more than seven years, I have worked with hundreds of companies, ranging from small start-ups to Fortune 500 giants. This article is based on my many years of experience working with corporate lawyers in Houston. It tells you what to expect. Read “Corporate Lawyers in Houston: What to Expect”.

It is very important to have the right lawyer by your side when starting a new business, raising money, negotiating a big deal, or going through a business dispute. Houston has one of the busiest business districts in the US, with firms in energy, healthcare, aerospace, and other fields. There is a lot of competition in the corporate legal market here, and lawyers have specialized skills.

Here’s what you need to know:

Incorporation and Structuring Your Business

When you first start a business, one of the first things you need to do is file documents to legally make your company. When it comes to your situation, Houston corporate lawyers can help you decide whether you should form an LLC, S-Corp, or C-Corp.

They also help write the company’s rules, give out stock certificates, hold meetings, and make sure the business follows all state and federal rules. Over the years, I’ve helped more than 200 business owners make their companies official.

For example, when John started his oil field services business, I helped him pick the right corporate structure, write an operating agreement, get tax IDs, and make sure that the business followed all the rules from the very beginning. Taking the time to set up your business correctly will save you trouble in the future.

Securities Offerings and Raising Capital

Securities laws can be hard to understand whether you are looking for venture capital or private equity funding, planning an IPO, or giving stock options to employees. Corporate lawyers can help you understand these rules.

I’ve helped a lot of Houston companies get funding at different stages, from Series A and B raises of several million dollars to smaller seed financing from friends and family.

I worked closely with Amanda’s team to write a private placement memorandum, give advice on investment terms, help with due diligence, and negotiate with potential investors when her biotech startup was looking for Series A funding. Getting capital is easier when you have an experienced corporate lawyer on your side.

Mergers & Acquisitions

Corporate lawyers are very important when you want to buy or sell a business. In Houston, many businesses have merged, especially in the energy sector, in recent months.

As an M&A lawyer, I’ve been a part of deals worth hundreds of millions of dollars, from figuring out how much they were worth at first to doing due diligence to negotiating the final terms. There is always a lot at stake, and it is important to have legal documents that can’t be questioned.

In the case of Phillips 66 buying a majority stake in Phillips 66 Partners LP, I was part of the legal team that did the due diligence, wrote the merger agreement, and made sure all the necessary disclosures were made before the $1.4 billion deal was finalized.

Business Contracts

Houston corporate lawyers look over, write, and negotiate all kinds of important business contracts, from sales contracts to agreements with suppliers and vendors. We make sure you understand all the terms, that risks are shared fairly, that your interests are protected, and that disputes are kept to a minimum.

During my career, I’ve worked on tens of thousands of complicated business contracts. By making sure they were legally binding, I’ve helped many companies avoid expensive lawsuits. In the case of Houston Lift Trucks, when they signed a new 5-year parts supply contract with a new vendor, I made sure that the terms of payment, quality guarantees, liability limits, and termination clauses fully protected my client.

Resolution of Disputes

There are many reasons why business disputes can happen, even if there are good contracts and plans in place. It’s my job to look out for your best interests and find quick, cheap solutions to problems. More than 90% of disagreements are solved out of court.

I have helped Houston companies with lawsuits for breach of contract, shareholder disputes, labor issues, product liability, and other types of legal issues. My goal is always to reach a friendly settlement so that my clients don’t have to deal with the stress of a long court case.

For example, when an oil drilling equipment supplier sued Houston Drillco over an unpaid bill. I was able to get the claim thrown out by showing that the plaintiff had filed the lawsuit in the wrong way. Over the years, I have successfully defended many Houston businesses against pointless lawsuits and claims of not following the rules.

Staying Compliant

Corporate lawyers also help your company stay in line with rules about things. Like safety, employment, the environment, SEC filings, insurance, data privacy, and more. We do compliance audits, write employee policies, help with investigations, and talk to government agencies on your behalf.

Conclusion

Houston corporate lawyers are very important because they help businesses understand the complicated legal system. It is very important to have an experienced lawyer by your side when you are starting a business, raising money, merging with another business, negotiating contracts, or settling a dispute. I hope you understand the “Corporate Lawyers in Houston: What to Expect”.