A strong start reduces cost and friction later. We help you choose and form the right entity, set clear owner terms, and put core documents in place so you can raise, hire, and operate with confidence.

We handle:

• Entity selection and formation of LLCs, corporations (C‑corp/S‑corp), partnerships, and tax‑exempt entities
• Filing Articles of Organization/Incorporation and assumed name (DBA) registrations with the State of Michigan
• Drafting/negotiating operating agreements, bylaws, shareholder and partnership agreements, voting agreements
• Founder equity splits, vesting, and initial cap table design
• First‑step contracts (NDAs, IP assignment, independent contractor/employee agreements)

Healthy governance aligns transparency, accountability, and risk management with business objectives. We advise boards of directors and management on practical governance frameworks and help companies meet reporting obligations. We also guide day‑to‑day and strategic transactions from LOI through closing.

Transactions we support:

• Purchases and sales of assets
• Commercial loans
• Commercial real estate transactions
• Dissolutions and liquidations
• Related documentation and closings

Contacts we negotiate, draft, and review:

• Buy/sell agreements
• Master service agreements
• Supplier/vendor contracts
• Employment agreements
• Software/IP licenses

Whether you are acquiring, merging, or preparing for a sale, we serve as your steady guide from diligence through post‑closing integration—focused on outcomes, timelines, and regulatory readiness.

Representative M&A scopes:

• Purchases and sales of business organizations
• Recapitalizations and reorganizations
• Statutory mergers and combinations
• Tax‑free reorganizations
• Joint ventures

Protect your workforce relationships while minimizing disputes. We pair practical policies with enforceable agreements and proactive compliance.

• Employment and independent‑contractor agreements; executive and incentive compensation plans
• Employee handbooks and required policies (wage/hour, anti‑harassment, leave)
• Confidentiality and nondisclosure agreements, invention/IP assignment, and trade‑secret protection
• Non‑solicitation and non‑competition covenants (where enforceable)
• Separation and severance agreements (including releases)

Every business needs an agreed, workable plan for leadership and ownership transitions due to retirement, death, or other departures. We design plans that preserve continuity and value while aligning family and shareholder interests.

What we cover:

• Identifying successors and leadership development
• Valuation approaches for ownership interests
• Funding mechanisms to protect families and co‑owners
• Cross‑purchase and entity‑purchase arrangements
• Governance tools for addressing underperformance or misconduct

We advise nonprofits and tax‑exempt entities on governance, incorporation, 501(c)(3) recognition, and state/federal compliance—across charities, foundations, associations, schools, churches, and social‑service organizations.

In Michigan, commercial property taxes derive from taxable value (linked to assessed “true cash value”), not strictly the purchase price—making accurate valuation and timely appeals essential. We counsel on assessments, exemptions, and appeals at the Board of Review, State Tax Commission, and Michigan Tax Tribunal.

We assist with:

• Valuation and appraisal counseling
• Assessment and taxable‑value appeals
• “Uncapping” questions and planning
• Exemption claims
• Administrative and Tribunal representation

From formation through exit, we integrate transactional, state and local tax (SALT), and federal planning with your broader business and personal objectives. We also assist with filings and handle audits and controversies in administrative and court forums.