Business Law

OUR SERVICES

We counsel businesses of all sizes, helping clients navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and operate confidently. Our focus is on protecting your interests and supporting sustainable growth.

  • We help entrepreneurs, startups, and established owners choose the right entity structure based on factors such as liability protection, tax treatment, and operational flexibility.

    • Business entity selection and formation

    • Drafting and filing certificates of incorporation/organization

    • Shareholder agreements, partnership agreements, and operating agreements

    • Corporate governance and board advisory services

    • Bylaws, resolutions, and annual meeting documentation

  • We prepare, review, and negotiate contracts designed to protect your business, clarify obligations, and minimize legal and financial risk. Our work covers a wide range of agreements, including vendor and supplier contracts, client service terms, nondisclosure agreements, licensing arrangements, and employment or independent contractor agreements.

    • Contract drafting, review, and negotiation

    • Vendor, supplier, and service agreements

    • Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) and confidentiality contracts

    • Employment contracts and independent contractor agreements

    • Purchase and sale agreements for businesses and assets

    • Commercial leasing and real estate agreements for business use

  • We guide clients through the purchase or sale of a business, including asset purchases, stock sales, and mergers. Our services cover deal structuring, due diligence, contract drafting, negotiation, and coordination of the closing process.

    • Regulatory and licensing compliance

    • Employment law compliance and workplace policies

    • Risk assessment and liability protection strategies

    • Drafting employee handbooks and HR policies

    • Data privacy, security, and intellectual property protection

  • We handle a wide range of commercial disputes, including breach of contract, partnership and shareholder conflicts, restrictive covenant enforcement, business tort claims, and more.

    • Business-to-business (B2B) disputes

    • Breach of contract claims

    • Partnership and shareholder disputes

    • Employment disputes and wrongful termination claims

    • Alternative dispute resolution (mediation & arbitration)

    • Commercial litigation

    • Drafting and reviewing employment agreements

    • Wage and hour compliance

    • Non-compete and non-solicitation agreements

    • Severance agreements and termination guidance

    • Workplace discrimination and harassment policies

  • We help founders and boards establish and maintain compliant nonprofit organizations. Our services include preparing formation documents, drafting bylaws, securing federal 501(c)(3) and other tax-exempt statuses, and advising on governance and operational structures.

    • Structuring and negotiating traditional business loans and lines of credit

    • Merchant Cash Advance (MCA) agreements and restructuring strategies

    • Review and negotiation of secured and unsecured lending arrangements

    • Drafting and negotiating promissory notes, security agreements, and guarantees

    • Advising on private lending, alternative funding sources, and capital raises

    • Representing borrowers and lenders in financing disputes

    • Business funding agreements and capital raises

    • Loan and credit facility negotiations

    • Investor agreements and private equity deals

    • Joint ventures, partnerships, and strategic alliances

    • Mergers, acquisitions, and corporate restructuring

  • We advise businesses and creative professionals on protecting and leveraging their intellectual property through effective licensing, branding, and IP strategies.

    • Franchise law and franchise agreements

    • Licensing and permitting for regulated industries

    • Intellectual property agreements

    • Succession planning for closely held and family-owned businesses

    • Business dissolution and wind-down services

PROTECTING VISION & POWERING GROWTH

Our firm represents a diverse portfolio of businesses across multiple industries. Our cross-industry experience gives us the perspective and reach to provide strategic counsel that helps clients achieve sustainable growth. We deliver solutions, protect your interests, reinforce your operations, and position your business for long-term success.

  • Proper entity formation, contracts, and compliance are the first lines of defense. We also advise on employment policies, insurance coverage, intellectual property protections, and risk management strategies to minimize exposure.

  • Yes. Marano Law represents buyers and sellers in business transactions of all sizes, handling due diligence, contract negotiation, financing arrangements, and regulatory compliance.

  • We handle a wide range of business disputes, from contract breaches and shareholder conflicts to partnership breakups and commercial litigation. Our approach is to resolve disputes efficiently while protecting your bottom line.

  • Yes. Many of our clients retain us as outside general counsel to handle day-to-day legal matters, compliance issues, contract management, and strategic planning. This allows businesses to access high-quality legal support without the expense of in-house staff.

  • Choosing the right legal partner comes down to trust, experience, and alignment with your goals. At Marano Law, we deliver practical solutions that protect your interests and support sustainable growth.

  • We represent clients across the full spectrum of New York’s business community, including startups, family-owned companies, established corporations, investors, and creative professionals. Our experience spans industries such as real estate, finance, technology, sports, distribution, hospitality, and the arts.

  • While it is possible to form an entity without legal counsel, doing so without guidance can expose you to liability and tax pitfalls. We advise on the best structure for your goals and ensure compliance with all state and federal requirements.

  • We provide end-to-end support for startups, including entity formation, founder agreements, intellectual property protections, contracts, employment policies, and funding arrangements. Our goal is to give your business a strong foundation so you can focus on growth.

  • At a minimum, businesses should consider operating agreements, shareholder agreements, vendor contracts, client service agreements, employment or independent contractor agreements, and confidentiality/non-disclosure agreements.

  • Business succession planning ensures that ownership and control of a company are transferred smoothly in the event of retirement, disability, or death of an owner. Without a plan, businesses can face disputes, tax consequences, and operational disruption. We help business owners design succession strategies that safeguard both the enterprise and their families.

BUSINESS LAW FAQs