Business/Corporate

We have served the business needs of our region for 85 years. During that time we have formed and counseled many of the leading companies in the communities that we serve. We are trusted advisers because we work hard to gain detailed knowledge of our client’s business operations. Our expertise spans the entire lifecycle of a typical business, from formation, growth, acquisitions, mergers and disposition by sale. The Corporate Law Group advises privately-held businesses, public companies, family owned farming operations, advanced manufacturers, complex agri-businesses and tax exempt organizations with all of their legal needs, including:

Entity Selection and Formation: assisting clients in selecting the appropriate entity; forming corporations, limited liability companies, limited liability partnerships, and other entities; and drafting associated articles of incorporation, articles of organization, bylaws, operating agreements, and partnership agreements

Mergers and Acquisitions: advising clients with respect to, and drafting documents for, mergers, stock purchases and sales, and asset purchases and sales. We have extensive experience advising clients in both buying and selling businesses. The Group regularly helps clients navigate complex issues related to these transactions, including negotiating with secured lenders, landlords, and trade creditors, as necessary, and resolving employment issues related to the transactions

Joint Ventures: assisting in the formation of joint ventures, including contractual joint ventures, partnerships, and joint ventures created as separate legal entities

Governance: drafting minutes and resolutions, shareholder agreements, voting trusts, succession planning, buy-sell agreements, and advising corporations and individual shareholders regarding governance issues and shareholder rights

Contract Drafting and Review: drafting and reviewing contracts with customers, vendors, service providers, sales representatives, and distributors

Farm and Agribusiness: we represent farm organizations, animal confinement centers, cooperatives, family farmers and businesses engaged in farm-related projects and the farming industry

Regulatory Compliance: assisting clients in complying with the full range of government regulation of their activities

Banking and Finance: reviewing and counseling clients with respect to secured and unsecured financing arrangements with third-party lenders, including banks, private equity firms, and other private parties; we have extensive experience in structuring, negotiating and documenting a variety of financial transactions including commercial loan agreements, inter-creditor agreements, participation agreements, letters of credit, subordination agreements, asset-based loan agreements, as well as documentation related to Article 9 perfection and priority, security agreements, control agreements and mortgages, real estate and construction loans, agricultural loans, letters of credit, SBA loans, loan restructurings, workouts and forbearance agreements. We work in conjunction with the Bankruptcy and Creditor’s Rights Law Group to pursue recovery of collateral, including foreclosures, replevins and other creditor rights and remedies

Interdisciplinary Approaches: working with members of the firm’s other groups, including the Real Estate Law, Employee Benefits Law, and Employment Law Groups to meet business clients’ full range of legal needs

Family Business Disputes: we work with family owned businesses to establish succession plans and when disputes arise, we are available to guide family members through the use of various dispute resolution techniques

Tax Exempt Organizations/Associations

Taxation

Shareholder/Partnership Disputes