Whether you are starting a small business or running an established company, it is vital to understand business laws and regulations. But that is easier said than done. My goal is to provide business-related legal services so that you can spend more time dealing with the actual business and less time with legal intricacies of operating your business. My services include:

Business formation

You have a new and innovative product or service and you are interested in forming a new business. You may have concerns about liability, taxes, investors and other considerations. As your small business lawyers, we will assist you in deciding whether your startup business should organize as a limited liability company (LLC), partnership, S corporation or C corporation. We will form the most appropriate business organization for your new business and register the business in all jurisdictions in which it will conduct business.

Mergers and acquisitions

If your business is fortunate to thrive and become a merger or acquisition target, we can represent you as the seller; or if you are on the other side and looking to acquire a business, we can assist with the due diligence in purchasing a business. We will review various approaches in purchasing a business through merger or acquisition. We will discuss with you various structures in purchasing the stock or purchasing the assets of an acquisition target. In either case, your business will need thoughtful and comprehensive representation in all aspects of a merger or acquisition.

Government contracting

Government contractors face numerous issues when contracting with the government. And with a hands-on approach and substantial experience, we will help you navigate those legal issues. We prepare teaming agreements, subcontracts and joint venture agreements and can handle a variety of other government contract matters. As government contract lawyers for your small business, we can assist you in applying for programs for HUBZones, service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses or women-owned businesses. If your company is facing debarment or suspension because of allegations of corruption or bribery, we can assist in your defense before the U.S. government or the World Bank.

Business transactions

Once you have an ongoing business, however organized, you will have a host of various commercial transactions. We prepare agreements with lenders, lessors, partners, customers, employees, and consultants. We provide business legal services for your company, preparing confidentiality agreements, nondisclosure agreements, licensing agreements, distribution, employment agreements, independent contractor agreements, lease agreements, and many others. We will help you understand what each part of these agreements require and make sure that these agreements provide protection to you and your business.

Corporate law

Once your startup business has been created, your company will have ongoing requirements to maintain its separate status. We will assist in guiding you on how to prepare corporate minutes or resolutions of the company to maintain the corporate form and other steps to protect the limited liability of your company. You will also have to make sure that your bylaws or operating agreement continues to reflect the needs of the business organization. We are available to assist you in addressing these issues. And once your company is ready to raise additional capital from investors, we can work with you to determine whether you are subject to securities laws or fall within one of the exemptions.

Business disputes

Few businesses are immune to business disputes. If your small business was well-advised, you have an agreement that will provide guideposts on how to resolve your business dispute. If you are unable to settle your dispute, you may have a dispute resolution mechanism such as mediation or arbitration in the agreement. An alternative dispute resolution mechanism such as arbitration or mediation generally can provide a relatively quick resolution of your business dispute. If not, then you may have to consider litigation. We handle business disputes, including pre-litigation matters, mediation, arbitration and litigation.

Anti-corruption compliance

Every company should have procedures and policies to minimize its exposure to allegations of corruption or bribery. An integrity compliance program (ICP) is essential for businesses doing work internationally for the United States government or work financed through one of the development banks. We can assist in reviewing or preparing an ICP to assure that is consistent with the anti-bribery and anti-corruption guidelines from the World Bank. If your company is facing debarment or suspension because of allegations of corruption or bribery, we can assist in your defense before the U.S. government or the World Bank.

Non-profit law

We work with organizations to obtain their tax exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. There have been recent changes to obtaining 501(c)(3) status and we have worked with organizations in submitting successful applications on the simplified track by filing a 1023-EZ and the more rigorous 1023 application for larger organizations. Nonprofits also face similar legal challenges to assure that they comply with business requirements and additional requirements to assure that they do not jeopardize their tax exempt status. As a law firm for nonprofits, we work with nonprofit organizations to guide them through these issues.

FAQ Small Business Attorney in DC

What is considered a small business?

Almost all our clients fall within the definition of small business/startup as determined by the Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration. Under this definition, a small business has fewer than 500 employees. Small businesses encompass about 99.9% of all business organizations in the United States.

Which industries do you serve as a small business attorney?

Most of our clients are service providers such as consulting companies, law firms, accounting and bookkeeping services, cybersecurity consultants, video production companies, and lobbyists, just to name a few. We also represent foreign and domestic manufacturers and software developers.

As a small business lawyer in DC, we represent some retail operations, such as bookstores and restaurants. We also represent numerous nonprofits with varying missions. Our government contractors clients hold various IDIQs (Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite quantity Contracts) and GSA schedules.

In which areas of the law does a small business or startup need legal assistance?

Most times, small businesses/startups need the services of outside general counsel. As outside general counsel for small businesses, we can handle most matters as a small business attorney that small businesses generally encounter. Usually, anything with the word agreement or contract is within our practice areas. This includes operating and shareholder agreements, which are used for small businesses and startups that are formalizing their relationships with their owners. Once a business is formed, then we prepare and review a host of other agreements, such as service agreements (which may be referred to as client agreements or consulting agreements), independent contractor agreements (which may be referred to as subcontracting agreements), employment agreements, teaming agreements, purchase and sale agreements, merger agreements, option agreements, license agreements, lease agreements, and the list goes on.

What factors should a small business and startup look for in retaining the services of a lawyer for small businesses?

With our extensive experience of working as a small business attorney in DC for decades now, background and experience should come right at the top of the list when looking for a small business lawyer. We think that accessibility and communication are essential for a successful relationship between an attorney and a client. Hourly rate is important but not as important as quality of service.

What kind of experience do you have in advising small businesses as an attorney?

Keith Rosten has not only legal experience but also business and practical experience that allows him to relate to the trials and tribulations of a small business owner. Keith has BigLaw experience before working for small and medium-sized businesses, first at his own law firm focused on small businesses and then with Berliner Corcoran & Rowe LLP.

Keith has substantial business experience. He received an MBA from the Tuck School at Dartmouth College. During his business studies, he worked on several group projects with small businesses, including a furniture manufacturer, a manufacturer of leak location precision equipment, real estate developer. After business school, Keith operated a successful real estate business in California and overcame numerous issues, such as asbestos abatement and underground storage tank remediation.

Keith worked as a legal adviser to a government contractor and was a legal adviser to a major initiative in Russia. Keith ran another small business, selling and marketing solar energy equipment. The business had an e-tailer component, hosted the largest solar energy forum online, and sold solar energy equipment to the government. Keith negotiated two GSA schedules for the business and obtained HUBZone certification for the business. Keith was also president of the Dartmouth Entrepreneurial Network – Washington, a networking organization for small businesses in the greater Washington, DC community.

Keith has also volunteered for Compass Pro Bono, working with local business professionals to conduct long-term consulting engagements for local nonprofits in fundraising, governance, and strategy.

With this breadth of legal and business experience, Keith is attuned to some of the challenges facing small businesses, which allows him to provide effective advice and guidance.

As a small business lawyer, do you take in-person meetings only?

Yes. We are located in downtown Washington DC and host many of our clients. For those clients who cannot come into our offices, we usually meet over Zoom or by telephone.

How do you charge for your services as a small business attorney?

We charge our clients based on hourly fees. We usually provide a budget of how much certain matters cost so that startups and small businesses know in advance the ballpark cost of the matter.

What if a client does not like our services?

Clients can terminate our services anytime if they don’t find it satisfactory.

Should my small business lawyer or startup lawyer be in the same state as me?

No, not always necessary and may depend on multiple factors. For example, though we are an expert small business lawyer in DC, we have also provided consultation to other cities’ clients.

Антикоррупционные программы разширяются

Как большому, так и малому бизнесу нужно вводить программы по соблюдению антикоррупционных норм.
Всем компаниям, а особенно компаниям, которые работают за рубежом обязательно нужно ввести программы и процедуры, направленные на соблюдение антикоррупционных законов. Эти программы и процедуры можно найти в руководствах по трудоустройству или в нормативных правовых актах. В этой статье мы расскажем о том, что в себя должны включать такие программы.

Pattanaphong Khaunkaew © 123RF.com

Уровни сложности для компаний, ведущих бизнес с иностранными организациямию

Если бизнес ведет бизнес с западной компанией, вы можете обнаружить, что в любой сделке есть несколько дополнительных уровней сложности.

Если западная компания экспортирует продукцию в любую странy, особенно в Россию, она должна быть заинтересована в контроле над экспортом. Необходимо быть уверенным, что она не ведет дела с лицами из специального черного списка SDN, в котором перечислены люди, организации и корабли, с которыми гражданам США и постоянным жителям страны запрещено заниматься бизнесом.

Просмотрите соответствующую статью: Санкции США против России: Список SDN

Если вы рассматриваете возможность приобретения бизнеса в Соединенных Штатах, то сделка может быть предметом рассмотрения Комитетом по Иностранным Инвестициям в Соединенных Штатах (CFIUS).

Просмотрите соответствующую статью: Комитет по иностранным инвестициям США (CFIUS)

Во всех видах бизнеса всегда есть риск столкновения со взяточничеством, коррупцией и монополией. Каждая компания должна лимитировать этот риск путём введения программ и процедур направленных на соблюдение антикоррупционных законов.

Почему нужна антикоррупционная программа

Крупные и малые компании все чаще становятся чувствительными к рискам коррупции, сговора и взяточничества во внутренних и особенно в международных сделках. Компании, ведущие бизнес на международном уровне, возможно, включили в свою политику меры по предотвращению нарушений Закона о коррупции за рубежом.

Они также должны включить в свою политику способы минимизации риска столкновения с Британским законом о взяточничестве, Канадским законом о коррупции иностранных публичных должностных лиц (CFPOA), Уголовным кодексом Австралии и Бразильским законом о чистых компаниях. Нередко руководство уделяет недостаточно внимания антикоррупционной политике до тех пор, пока не станет слишком поздно и не произойдет нарушение.

Директора обязаны заботиться о корпорации. Если они нарушают эту обязанность, корпоративные директора могут подвергаться ответственности за должностное нарушение. Канцлерский суд штата Делавэр постановил, что корпоративные советы должны обеспечить наличие разумно спроектированных систем, чтобы обеспечить старшее руководство и совет директоров «своевременной и точной информацией, достаточной для того, чтобы руководство и совет директоров, каждый в пределах своей компетенции, могли принимать обоснованные решения в отношении обоих, соблюдения корпорацией закона и эффективности его деятельности.

В противном случае директора могут понести гражданскую ответственность за то, что они не предприняли добросовестных усилий, чтобы гарантировать, что в их компании действует эффективная программа по предотвращению и противодействию коррупции. Компаниям следует нанять юристов и других консультантов для подготовки комплексных антикоррупционных программ.

Не каждые антикоррупционные программы подходят для компаний любых размеров

К сожалению, не существует одной, единой программы которая бы подошла всем компаниям, конкретные процедуры и детали будут зависеть от многих факторов (страны в которых проводится бизнес, размер компании, количество сотрудников и т.д.).

Мы видели программы, которые были просто скопированы из интернета и не имеют отношения к деловой обстановке, в которой работает компания. Мало шансов, что такая программа будет реализована.
Существует несколько этапов в разработке антикоррупционных программ.

Оценка бизнес риска

В эту категорию входят: оценка контрактов в которых участвует компания; оценка участников бизнес транзакций; имеет ли бизнес государственные контракты; вопросы, связанные с конфликтом интересов; в каких странах ведётся бизнес и т.д.

Оценка коррупционного риска

В эту категорию входят: оценка структуры оплаты заказов, структура выплат комиссий и их размер, ведение отчётов о затратах и финансовых операциях и т.д.

Подготовка антикоррупционной программы

Программы могут быть как составляющей инструкции для сотрудников, так и отдельным руководством в котором устанавливаются правила, касающиеся командировок, подарков, использования имущества компании, корпоративных мероприятий и т.д.

Введение программы

Многие компании вводят антикоррупционные программы только на бумаге. Главным составляющим данной программы является постоянные тренинги персонала, внутренний мониторинг и т.д.

Антикоррупционные программы быстро становятся частью нормативно-правового соответствия для компаний США, независимо от их размера и даже тех, у которых мало иностранной деятельности.

Иностранные компании и многие компании в странах бывшего Советского Союза все чаще адаптируют антикоррупционные программы. Компании, которые участвуют в международных деловых операциях, должны пройти проверку у юриста, занимающегося антикоррупционным соблюдением.

Английская версия этой статьи доступна здесь.