In upstate New York, small businesses dominate the economic and employment landscape. Small business is the primary driver of many regional and local economic areas as many large businesses have not expanded to upstate. Our firm works with many small business owners on a near daily basis for a variety of tasks with respect to leases, employment matters, property matters, litigation, insurance issues, compliance issues and the like.

The vast majority of our small business clients do not have a “GC”— a general counsel or attorney — who is on the payroll. This is by design for many of these small businesses as they simply do not have the revenue or need to support a full-time GC for their business. However, virtually every small business will find itself in situations where it would benefit from having a GC’s advice. Often, small business owners are so busy that they don’t know where to turn for the right help or think that they can handle a matter on their own to save money. Sometimes, it is simply a matter of taking the time to learn what resources are available in your community as small business owners are extremely busy.

Our firm can be that GC that your small business does not have, thinks it cannot afford and/or does not have a full-time need to employ. We function in this capacity for a variety of businesses in the North Country as the trusted attorneys who small business owners reach out to when they have a problem, situation, matter or even just a quick question which they need advice or answers to work through. Our firm is uniquely positioned to assist small business owners in our area, especially in Northeastern New York. Our firm features over 120 years combined legal experience with attorneys who have significant experience in a variety of areas of law.

Other small business owners simply ask us to keep their limited liability company, corporation, professional corporation or professional limited liability companies up to date and compliant with the law, including filing required statements with New York State, conducting annual meeting and producing minutes for same. Other times, special meetings need to be held, By Laws/Operating Agreements need to be amended, new members or shareholders join the LLC or corporation, and other significant opportunities and situations present themselves for our clients.

Even if you do not have a major change in your business from year to year, it behooves the small business owner to have that once a year “checkup” with your GC, much like you see your medical doctor/general practitioner for your physical health annually. I also cannot tell you how many times I have spoken to a small business owner who will advise that they have engaged someone in their business or another contractor or legal mill-type company that they believe takes care of their filings with the State and is shocked to learn that they have not been done for a number of years.

If you are a small business owner who doesn’t have the revenue, the need for full time general counsel, or hasn’t engaged attorneys before, give us a call! We can help you understand what you don’t know and things to be aware of and look out for moving forward.