What does a corporate lawyer do?
In short, a corporate lawyer is responsible for negotiating, drafting or reviewing agreements, terms and conditions, finance terms and other documents of a business nature.
Company law is the body of law that governs the rights, relations, obligations and conduct of persons, companies and businesses. Businesses can be run through various different forms, whether incorporated such as public or private for-profit companies, non-profit companies or unincorporated entities like sole proprietorships or partnerships. Company law determines the consequences that flow depending on which form or entity through which a business is conducted.
Corporate lawyers have a grasp of the vast number of laws that play a role in business transactions, including the laws regulating the forms that businesses can take and the laws regulating legal relationships and transactions. Corporate lawyers understand contracts and are able to quickly identify risky provisions and propose compromises that provide protection and are agreeable to the other party. This is based on their experience and practical knowledge of the types of provisions found in contracts. Corporate lawyers assist with ensuring that any transaction lawfully achieves the business’s strategy and objectives while limiting potential risks.
Benefits of hiring a corporate lawyer
As a business finds its feet and matures within the market, it becomes more and more important to use the services of a specialist lawyer. Here are some of the key advantages of using an experienced corporate lawyer for business transactions:
- Legal expertise: Corporate lawyers have extensive knowledge of the law and can provide guidance on a wide range of legal issues. This expertise can help you navigate complex legal situations and avoid costly mistakes;
- Risk management: Corporate lawyers can help you identify and manage legal risks associated with your business and any proposed transactions. By proactively addressing legal issues, you can avoid potential lawsuits and other legal problems;
- Contract drafting and negotiation: Corporate lawyers can draft and negotiate a variety of business-related contracts on your behalf, helping to ensure that your business interests are protected;
- Compliance: Corporate lawyers can help you stay compliant with applicable laws and regulations. This can include corporate governance, securities laws, antitrust or competition laws, environmental regulations and more;
- Dispute resolution: If your business is involved in a legal dispute, a corporate lawyer can represent you in court and help you resolve the matter as quickly and cost-effectively as possible.
Caveat
Our large team of specialist corporate and commercial lawyers assists businesses with a wide variety of corporate transactions and agreements, including due diligence investigations, advising on corporate transactions, and drafting and negotiating memorandums of incorporation (“MOIs”), shareholders’ agreements, share purchase agreements, share subscription agreements, sale of business agreements, shareholder loan agreements and joint venture agreements, and are also skilled in drafting and negotiating commercial contracts including service agreements, license agreements, software development agreements, IP assignment agreements, distribution agreements, franchise agreements, goods and/or services procurement agreements, agency agreements, reseller agreements, sponsorship agreements, website terms and related legal documents.
They also advise businesses on applicable laws and regulations, compliance and corporate governance. If you require advice on any aspect of this law, talk to our expert panel.