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The Closely Held Business Team at Dunn Carney works with business owners from a wide array of industries to address their legal needs in a responsive manner. The Team's attorneys proactively strive to assist each client in navigating through the opportunities and challenges the law presents in order to advance each client's success in business. The Team's attorneys regularly assist clients in Oregon and Washington, and also assist clients with business issues in California. Dunn Carney's ability to assist clients with issues beyond the Pacific coastline is made possible through its membership in Meritas, a legal service model that offers high quality worldwide legal services through a closely integrated group of full-service law firms. Meritas' extensive member due diligence process and stringent membership requirements ensure that clients can easily tap into pre-screened, reliable legal expertise throughout the country and worldwide.
Our areas of expertise include:
Choice of Business Entity- Whether it is an S Corporation, C Corporation, Limited Liability Company, Limited Liability Partnership, or other entity, choosing the right business entity is critical to accomplish each business owner's tax, liability protection, operational structure, and succession planning goals. We routinely work with business owners to set up or modify their business entity, and assist them with meeting their annual reporting requirements and related compliance functions.
Shareholder/Member Issues- We frequently see the good and the bad, including total implosions, when it comes to business relations among shareholders and members of closely held businesses. We assist business owners in working through current business issues between owners as well as planning for the future to avoid deadlock and to advance the success of each business.
• Succession Planning.
• Buy/Sell Agreements
• Voting Agreements
• Shareholder/Member Dispute Resolution
Mergers/Acquisitions and Sale of Closely Held Businesses- We are experienced in the financing, due diligence, negotiation, and documentation of mergers and acquisitions in a wide array of industries for companies large and small. We value the responsiveness and expertise our Meritas affiliates provide when the transaction involves legal issues outside of Oregon, Washington, and California.
Wealth Preservation and Asset Planning- We work with business owners and their families to plan for their future. We first seek to understand the long-term goals for the family members and the business. We then creatively work to meet those goals by employing the appropriate preservation and planning vehicles.
Litigation- Sometimes business transactions don't go as planned and conflicts between parties can't be resolved without litigation. We have an experienced team of litigators that can assist in business and commercial litigation matters. They will provide expert counsel and representation in alternative dispute resolution opportunities and in the courtroom.
Tax- Our attorneys can assist in you addressing the tax implications of business decisions and work with your accounting firm to resolve current issues and appropriately structure your business for the future. With the constant change in the tax laws, our clients find it helpful to rely on our tax expertise to keep them compliant and work toward taking advantage of available tax savings opportunities. .
Antitrust/trade regulations- We have extensive experience in handling antitrust matters with large companies such as Weyerhaeuser and with our closely held business clients.
Employment Law- Employment issues come with the territory for every business, whether it is hiring, firing, noncompetition agreements, maintaining the confidentiality of trade secrets, workers' compensation, family leave, employee disabilities, employee benefits, employment handbooks, or discrimination claims to name a few. We have a strong team of employment law attorneys who can address all of your needs including employment litigation.
Contracts- Having a good contract is critical in most businesses, and are essential to enforcing your legal rights. We can assist you by drafting, reviewing, and enforcing contracts to protect your investment in your products and services. We have a team of experienced attorneys who can make this important part of your business as seemless as possible.
Intellectual Property and Trade Secrets- For many businesses, their biggest assets are their intellectual property. Maintaining the confidentiality of trade secrets and intellectual property, while protecting their value, are keys to business success in many industries. Whether you need trademark protection, wish to enforce a noncompetition agreement, or need a licensing agreement, we have experienced intellectual property attorneys who will work with you to protect your intellectual property rights .
Real Estate Transactions- Whether you own real property or lease, or wish to invest in real property or enter into a 1031 exchange, our experienced attorneys can assist you in reaching your business goals. We work with our Real Estate and Land Use Group to maximize our effectiveness and bring the best resources to the project.
Employee Benefit Plans- Employee Benefit plans are complicated but increasingly important for every business. Our employee benefit plan attorneys understand the complex laws in this area and will work with you to meet your needs and stay compliant with the applicable state and federal laws.
Industries we serve:
• Manufacturing
• Retail
• Distribution
• International Distribution
• Marine Interests
• Financial Services
• Real Estate
• Construction
• Assisted Living Care Facilities
• Professional Services
• Auto Dealerships
• Forest Products
• Medical Professionals
• Hospitality
• Agriculture
• Natural Resources
The Closely Held Business Team includes:
Merrill J. Baumann, Jr.
David J. Buono
George J. "Jack" Cooper
I. Kenneth Davis
