BUSINESS/ TAX & CORPORATE LAW

 
 
“Rooted in tradition, shaped by today’s demands.”
 
  Whether you are a small business or a large company, a long-established business or a start-up, or an Ontario business or an international company, the Sutherland Law team will help you manage all your legal needs.
  Starting and managing a business is an exciting, but challenging time. Here at Sutherland Law, we are dedicated to alleviating some of those challenges to help you build a successful business.
  In addition, our lawyers are equipped to critically assess your Tax Law matters and represent you in a manner that will forward your interests and work to achieve the best outcome for you. Our lawyers are familiar with the Income Tax Act, along with having expertise in areas including taxation of importing, exporting, sale of goods and services, and property.
  Our firm focuses on providing practical and creative solutions, catered to each client’s particular needs. Through years of experience representing businesses in court, Sutherland Law has developed a critical eye that allows us to be proactive in our advice and ask the tough questions that minimize the risk of litigation disputes down the road.
 
 
 

OUR EXPERTISE IN THE AREA OF COMMERCIAL LAW INCLUDES:

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INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

In addition to general business law, our experience in trademark, patent, and intellectual property law equips us to:

Negotiate and draft all manner of intellectual property licensing agreements

Prepare and file trademark applications

Conduct availability and registrability searches of trademarks to minimize the costs of opposition

Represent clients in trademark opposition proceedings

Advise on infringement matters and allegations

Register domain names

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PURCHASE & SALE OF A BUSINESS

When businesses change hands, many different issues must be considered. There are tax implications, employee issues, regulatory concerns, and much more.

When a business is purchased or sold, we closely review and negotiate terms to protect our clients’ rights.

 
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INCORPORATION & BUSINESS ORGANIZATION

Most business owners are usually unsure about whether they need to incorporate, or whether they should instead form a partnership, or remain sole proprietors. The Sutherland Law legal team is here to help guide you when making these initial crucial business decisions.

We can also assist businesses through the incorporation and organizational process by assisting with governmental approvals, name searches, by-law assessments, and organizational overviews.

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PROFESSIONAL CORPORATIONS

Ontario legislation now permits many professionals to incorporate, including physicians, veterinarians, dentists, physiotherapists, and a number of others.

While operating through a corporation will not protect you against most liabilities, there can be significant tax and operating benefits.

 
 

At Sutherland Law, our lawyers will:

 
  Advise on business formation and incorporation, including drafting partnership and shareholder agreements
  Handle all aspects of incorporation, including setting up a corporate structure to minimize liability and annual maintenance of corporate minute books
  Draft and negotiate commercial leases for an office, plaza, or industrial space
  Draft enforceable employment agreements
  Negotiate and draft contracts for each client’s needs, including supplier, contractor, and loan agreements
  Negotiate and manage all stages of mergers and sales of businesses
  Assist with governmental approvals and by-law assessments
  Winding-up and Restructuring proceedings
  Incorporation and organization of new corporations
  Annual maintenance of Corporate Minute Books
 
  Corporate reorganizations, including estate freezes
  Asset and share purchases and sales
  Commercial equipment and asset financing
  Leasing
  Drafting, negotiating and reviewing a variety of agreements
  Joint venture agreements
  Co-ownership agreements
  Shareholder agreements
  Partnership agreements
  Employment/independent contractor agreements
  Construction agreements
  Distribution agreements and franchise agreements