Corporate Law Business Transactions

Byron T. Cooksey, Todd W. Fennell, William N. Kirk, Christopher K. Pegg, Christopher H. Marine, Sandra G. Rennick

The corporate and transactional attorneys of Gould Cooksey Fennell represent numerous businesses located in Vero Beach and Indian River County, and are able to assist businesses and their owners in all stages of the business life cycle. New business owners are provided advice concerning:

  • the selection of the proper business form for their business, whether it be a corporation, limited liability company, or partnership;
  • various IRS elections that may be made in connection with selecting the proper tax form for their new business; and
  • potential asset protection benefits of certain business entities.

The firm's corporate attorneys often assist with the drafting of agreements regarding the ownership and management of a business entity, including corporate bylaws, limited liability operating agreements, limited partnership agreements, and owner buy-sell and entity redemption agreements. Several attorneys have additional training in matters of federal income and estate taxation enabling them to assist clients in structuring these various agreements in a tax efficient manner.

As a business grows, the firm's business and employment attorneys may assist with:

  • the negotiation of transactions providing additional capital or financing;
  • the acquisition of additional businesses or assets;
  • the negotiation of employment terms with key executives, including confidentiality and noncompetition covenants; and
  • representation in matters involving employment and labor laws.

After the business matures or its principal owner nears retirement, the firm's corporate and estate planning attorneys may assist the owner with business succession planning to sustain the value of the business and transition future management. Often, an exit strategy will be an important part of this business planning, and when a client desires to sell its business, the firm's transactional attorneys often rely on their tax experience to assist the client in structuring the sale of the business to minimize potential income taxes resulting from the sale prior to coordinating the successful completion of the transaction. If the business owner has potential estate tax concerns, these concerns may be addressed as part of the business succession plan as well.

Gould Cooksey Fennell, P.A., Attorneys at Law, has offices in Vero Beach, Florida. The firm serves clients throughout the region including Brevard County, Indian River County, St. Lucie County, Martin County, Okeechobee County and Palm Beach County. This includes the following cities: Melbourne, Palm Bay, Fellsmere, Sebastian, Vero Beach, Ft. Pierce, Port St. Lucie, Okeechobee and West Palm Beach, Florida.