Small and Home-Based Businesses
At the Law Office of E.C. Lewis, we understand that owning a small or home-based business comes with a number of legal considerations. These concerns run from complying with local laws to adhering to any homeowner’s association regulations governing the operation of a business out of your home if you live in an HOA. For example, at the time of publication, the City of Aurora does not allow hair salons to be run out of houses.
As a small business owner, you must also ensure that you have the necessary insurance policy or policies to cover you and any employees in the event of an accident or injury, especially if you have employees working out of your house. If you operate your Denver small business out of your house, it is also extremely important to have the proper insurance to cover both your personal assets and your business assets – most personal homeowner’s insurance policies will not cover business property stored in your house.
Due to these complex issues, it’s important to work with a Denver small business lawyer who can make sure all legal matters are handled properly. Elizabeth Lewis has helped countless small business owners, including many with home-based businesses, navigate these challenges. She can ensure your business is compliant with all legal regulations, and she can also connect you with the best professionals out there who offer important services your business will need, such as insurance.
How a Denver Business Attorney Can Help Your Home Business
The size, scope, and industry of your Denver small business will determine how much business formation advice you need. But here are some of the more common areas in which a company can benefit from attorney input.
The size, scope and industry of your home business will determine the extent of the legal services you need. Some of the areas where you’ll benefit from working with an experienced home-based business attorney include:
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- Choosing a business form – Whether you opt for your business to be a sole proprietorship, LLC, partnership, or corporation affects your legal responsibilities and possible liability. It may also impact how you are taxed.
- Creating a registered agent – The legal address of your entity is part of the public record. Therefore, you may want to create a registered agent with a different address or even have a different address for your business. A good home-based business lawyer can give you options – especially since you are not supposed to use a P.O. box or similar type of address where there is not a real person connected to your business.
- Registering the business – In some cases, a company must be registered and have certain licenses and permits in order to conduct business.
- Crafting or reviewing contracts – The clarity and comprehensiveness of the written agreements between your company and employees, investors, vendors and customers can be critical to the success of your business.
- Reviewing the legal aspects related to raising capital – While your business attorney is not in the financial services business, they can provide guidance on the legal requirements related to financing a home business or can refer you to a securities attorney, if necessary, to protect your interests and personal assets.
- Addressing multi-state business issues – The regulations affecting the operation of a business in one state may differ from the regulations in another. So, it’s important to understand that the protections you have in your home state may not apply if you do business across state lines.
- Understanding and limiting your legal liability – How to protect your business, yourself, and your family is some of the most crucial business formation advice you will ever receive.
- Choosing a business form – Whether you opt for your business to be a sole proprietorship, LLC, partnership, or corporation affects your legal responsibilities and possible liability. It may also impact how you are taxed.
Comprehensive Legal Services for Small Businesses in Denver
Elizabeth Lewis can assist with just about any legal matter associated with your small business, including:
- Starting a business – Whether you’re still in the idea stage or you’re ready to launch your business, there are a wide range of legal matters to address. Navigating these legal items can be overwhelming, and they can have a significant impact on the long-term success of your business. Elizabeth Lewis will make sure all these legal issues are handled correctly.
- Running a business – There are many legal tasks associated with running your small business. Elizabeth Lewis can address these tasks as the arise to ensure your best interests are protected and you remain compliant with all laws and regulations.
- Contracts and agreements – Elizabeth Lewis can help craft and review a wide range of contracts and agreements governing your business to ensure they are legally enforceable and reflect your best interests. Whether you need assistance with independent contractor agreements, nondisclosure or noncompete agreements, client services agreements, intellectual property agreements, or any other type of contract, Elizabeth will make sure these important, legally binding agreements are crafted properly.
- Hiring and employment law – If you have employees working for you at your small business, it’s critical that you adhere to all regulations governing hiring and employee relationships. Elizabeth Lewis can help you navigate this important aspect of running your business to ensure you avoid costly employment law issues down the road.
- Business disputes – Dealing with business disputes is an inevitable part of running a business. Depending on the nature of the dispute, it can potentially have a significant impact on your business. Elizabeth Lewis can help you resolve these disputes so that you can move forward and get back to work.
Important Factors to Consider When Choosing a Small or Home-Based Business Attorney in Denver
Choosing the right small business lawyer can make a huge difference in your long-term success. Make sure to consider the following factors in order to get this important decision right:
- Expertise and experience – Make sure you choose a small business lawyer who has extensive experience working with other businesses in your industry and in the specific areas of law that are applicable to your business. This will ensure your attorney possesses the expertise necessary to provide you with the proper legal guidance your business needs.
- Availability and communication – Make sure to choose a small business lawyer who is available and responsive to your needs. Will this attorney be personally handling the legal issues associated with your business or will you be working with a less experienced associate? Will your attorney communicate with you regularly and keep you informed on the status of any pending legal matters? Can you expect to receive prompt replies when you call with questions or concerns?
- Reputation and references – Always check online reviews to get a sense of the lawyer’s reputation with previous clients and the quality of the legal services they provided. In addition, ask for the contact information of several past clients who can serve as references and provide more in-depth information regarding what you can expect when you work with this attorney.
- Compatibility and trust – Make sure to choose a small business lawyer who aligns with your values and understands your business goals. In addition, you should feel the lawyer is trustworthy and has your best interests at heart.
- Fee structure – Make sure you understand the attorney’s fee structure and that the fees will fit into your budget.
Why Choose Elizabeth Lewis as Your Denver Small Business Lawyer
Having the guidance of a skilled and experienced attorney can make the difference between seeing your small or home-based business prosper, and getting mired down in legal issues that threaten to derail your long-term success. Whether you’re just starting your business or need assistance navigating the legal challenges impacting an established business, Elizabeth Lewis will provide the expert guidance you need.
Elizabeth has been helping small and home-based businesses navigate a wide range of legal matters since 2010. She is committed to delivering highly personalized care that prioritizes the issues that are most important to your business, while always keeping your best interests at heart. Whether you need assistance with a one-off legal matter or require comprehensive services to address all the legal needs impacting your business, Elizabeth will provide the exceptional quality representation you deserve.
Contact us to schedule a consultation. Elizabeth Lewis is a small and home-based business lawyer serving Denver and throughout Colorado.
Multiple Ways to Serve You
The Law Office of E.C. Lewis, P.C. understands that not all business owners can take the time out of their busy schedules to come to an office, appointments are available by phone, online, and through video-conferencing for those individuals who are on the go. Contact the Law Office of E.C. Lewis, P.C. today to schedule an appointment!
We Are Centrally Located
Located in Cherry Creek, the Law Office of E.C. Lewis, P.C. offers clients the convenience of being in the center of the Denver Metro Area, without having to deal with the traffic of downtown Denver.
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Law Office of E.C. Lewis, P.C.
Your Denver Business Attorney
LICENSED IN COLORADO AND NORTH CAROLINA
Mailing Address:
501 S. Cherry Street, Suite 1100
Denver, CO 80246
720-258-6647
Elizabeth.Lewis@eclewis.com
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Real Estate Services for Business Owners
Elizabeth Lewis provides the following real estate law services to small and medium sized business owners in Denver and throughout Colorado:
- Commercial real estate purchases
- Legal review of commercial real estate leases
- Protecting your assets