Business Succession Planning
Business succession planning is one of the most important although often ignored aspects of running a successful business. We recognize the importance of an effective succession plan to the owner and the owner’s family, key employees, customers and vendors, and will guide you through this complex and sometimes emotional process. Fewer than thirty percent of businesses are successful in the second generation and fewer than five percent remain after the third generation. It takes an effective succession plan to continue the business into the future generations. We, at Rhine Ernest LLP, are committed to seeing your business grow, prosper and continue, and have consistently helped our clients engage in the process of successful succession planning.
Corporate and Business Law
Banking, Finance and Commercial Creditor Services
A major part of our firm's work is providing banks and other commercial lenders with documentation and assurance. We are experienced in commercial mortgages and energy industry financing (coal, oil and gas production, reserves, and equipment). We are a member of Attorneys' Title Guaranty Fund and have the energy industry experience to issue Capstone Summary Opinions for large coal, oil and gas transactions. We have provided local, regional and international lenders with special opinions for coal mines, oil fields, steel mills, retail stores and a number of other commercial enterprises.
Purchase and Sale of Businesses
The purchase or sale of a business is an involved and often complicated transaction. It requires preparation and review of numerous legal documents and an understanding of a wide range of legal and tax issues.
The attorneys of Rhine Ernest LLP have over 80 years of combined experience providing legal services to business clients. They are well-qualified to assist clients in the purchase or sale of a business. Our attorneys have the ability to assist in negotiation of the agreement, prepare or review the agreement and related contracts, examine title to real estate, perform UCC searches, and prepare necessary transfer documents for both real and personal property, title opinions, title policies and financing documents.
The purchase of a business represents a major investment for the buyer. The sale of a business may be the most important transaction in the seller's lifetime. It is extremely important for both parties to receive quality professional advice to protect their interests and we at Rhine Ernest LLP are prepared to provide that protection.
Business Entity Formation and Continuation
Whether you are starting a new company or reorganizing an existing one, choosing the right entity structure is an essential element to your business success. At Rhine Ernest LLP, we possess the knowledge and expertise required to guide our clients through this entity selection process, while explaining the tax implications and various nuances related to each entity type. We will analyze your specific business needs and devise a plan to form your corporation, S-corporation, limited liability company, or limited partnership. After tailoring a strategy to suit your business needs, we will draft and file all of the necessary formation documentation with the appropriate agencies.
Forming your entity is only the first step. For many corporate clients, we serve as general counsel and represent them through all aspects of their corporate life - from the original establishment of the enterprise through all aspects of its evolution and operation. This broad corporate practice often extends to other closely related practice areas - particularly tax, corporate transactions, real estate, and securities.
We are involved in all aspects of corporate governance, including director and officer liability. We can assist corporations with their initial capitalization and in ongoing corporate finance transactions utilizing a wide range of public and private debt and equity instruments.
We guide our clients through all types of corporate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions and joint ventures. We encourage our clients to formulate their business succession plan which often involves equity investments and change of control transactions in the early stages of the business. In addition, we counsel businesses in connection with their ongoing contractual relationships with customers, suppliers and distributors.
At Rhine Ernest we have more than 80 years combined experience in handling the myriad of additional practice areas that may fall under the corporate umbrella, including: banking and finance, real estate, leasing, intellectual property, labor and employment, among others.