What We Can Do For You
Business Acquisitions, Sales and Restructuring
Veritas Law has assisted hundreds of clients with the acquisition, sale or restructuring of their business operations. Our firm takes great care to evaluate all aspects of any potential deal and to ensure that clients understand the benefits and potential liabilities of each deal. We specifically tailor our representation to meet the expectations of each client and the requirements of each transaction. Throughout the process, we maintain the highest level of service possible to prevent waste of your time, energy, and money.
In addition, our experience as litigators and business attorneys allows us to anticipate potential pitfalls other firms may miss, safeguarding you and your business from liability. Our firm uses its extensive business experience to craft documents that are specifically designed for your intended business, which will help avoid the potential stumbling blocks that may occur in any particular business deal. Veritas does not do “cookie-cutter” deals. We treat every transaction with the care and attention required to obtain the optimal outcome for our clients.
Commercial Leasing
Our firm has over thirty years of experience assisting both landlords and tenants with the leasing of commercial properties. We fully understand the complexities of limited guaranties, operating expense pass-through provisions and the allocation between landlord and tenant of the responsibilities for repair of the premises and the building.
If you plan on entering into a commercial lease as a landlord or tenant, it is vital that you have the lease reviewed by competent counsel. For decades, our professionals have negotiated and drafted commercial leases for all types of clients, ranging from small mom-and-pop businesses to multinational corporations.
The advantages that a client obtains from a well-crafted legal document, especially in the context of a commercial lease, will be realized over-and-over throughout the duration of the lease and beyond. As transactional attorneys and commercial litigators, our firm has the expertise to anticipate potential hurdles and pitfalls involved in your commercial lease, and put your company in the best position should any problems arise in the future.
Entity Formations & Dissolutions
The formation and maintenance of your legal entity is among the most important choices in starting any company. Our firm has years of experience in the planning, formation, maintenance, and dissolution of legal entities.
In creating a business entity, great care must be taken to form the entity that is right for the interests of your business. Deciding to do business as a sole proprietor, partnership, limited liability company, or corporation involves calculated and reasoned consideration of the consequences of such a decision. Some of the factors that must be addressed include tax considerations, entity liability, and personal liability. Our firm will counsel you on what structure will best meet your needs and will form your entity. Once the entity is formed, we will ensure that the entity is managed and maintained in the best and most efficient manner under the law. Similarly, if you are closing your business, it is important to shield yourself from any future liability.
Although creating or dissolving a corporation may seem as simple as filling out a few forms, only an experienced corporate firm like Veritas can ensure that your company is handled in a manner that best protects your interests.
Intellectual Property
Veritas Law offers a full range of services related to trademark and copyright law, including trademark selection, clearance, registration and enforcement, trademark and copyright licensing, trademark co-existence agreements and transfers of ownership. In addition, we can lead you through the challenging and often cumbersome requirements of the United States Patent and Trademark Office and assist in the overall management of your intellectual property portfolio.
The acquisition, exploitation and protection of intellectual property rights are of paramount concern for businesses of all types and sizes, from multinational brands to local entrepreneurs. Issues related to the ownership and control of intellectual property rights can arise in various contexts, whether in connection with the sale of a business or a licensing arrangement with a third party. Our team of experienced attorneys and professional staff can provide you with the legal advice and counseling that you need to ensure that your interests are adequately protected and that you achieve the maximum return on your valuable intellectual property rights.
Licensing
Veritas Law is the premier licensing law firm in the District of Columbia, representing clients in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia in need of alcoholic beverage licenses, basic business licenses, tax registrations, certificates of occupancy, and public space licenses. Due in large part to attorney Andrew J. Kline’s vast experience in these matters, Veritas Law is area businesses’ best bet when in need of assistance with the acquisition, sale, or transfer of a license; with the strategic negotiations necessary to resolve issues with the regulatory boards that govern such licenses; and with the navigation of any disciplinary proceedings that may arise involving your license.
The attorneys and professionals at Veritas Law can also obtain sidewalk café permits for businesses in the District of Columbia. Because of Andrew J. Kline’s involvement in the initial drafting of the laws regulating cafes and early successes in gaining sidewalk café permits, Veritas’s knowledge in this area is truly unparalleled. Veritas can work with your chosen architect, or, if necessary refer you to one who has experience in café drawings, and will ensure that the approval process moves expeditiously so that the permit is issued in a timely manner
Our attorneys and professionals also have decades of experience working with the local alcoholic beverage regulation administrations and handling the various neighborhood committees and associations that often oppose such licenses. Veritas understands the limitations that neighborhood settlement agreements can have on your business, and has the experience necessary to craft an agreement that will still allow your business to flourish. When a licensing conflict cannot be resolved by agreement, Veritas has the know-how to prepare the evidence and arguments which are likely to be successful in a contested case before the licensing board. With experience as general counsel to the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington, we have the optimal expertise and connections within the industry to ensure that the entire process goes smoothly for you and your business.
Litigation
Whether prosecuting or defending claims, Veritas brings our general business expertise to all aspects of the litigation process. Led by Scott Rome, our litigators are business lawyers first, who know when a negotiated business solution is preferable to litigation, but also know when to act aggressively to defend or advance our clients’ interests.
While it is often in a company’s or individual’s best interest to explore alternative methods of dispute resolution, and although we take great care to avoid the courthouse if it is in a client’s best interest, we are also extremely effective litigators who are seasoned in trying cases throughout the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia.
When a matter must be brought before the Court, our litigators have the skill and experience to successfully navigate the legal process and obtain a favorable outcome. Our litigators have successfully argued and tried cases in many local federal and state courts. If you are involved in a commercial dispute of any nature, you should seek the counsel of our experienced commercial litigators immediately.
Public Policy & Lobbying
Hardly any aspect of operating a business is unaffected by federal and local government influence. Our firm understands this and understands that an effective legal solution often requires an understanding of the political process. Led by Andrew J. Kline, our lobbying efforts advance creative legislative solutions and favorable changes to local laws, providing businesses with another avenue in pursuit of successful issue resolution.
In many instances, traditional legal channels and use of the courts or regulatory agencies will not yield the most effective or efficient results. There are also instances in which the law does not contemplate the specific business solution that your company seeks. In those situations, we use our extensive knowledge of the political process, and formidable contacts in the governmental sphere to assist our clients with multi-faceted business solutions.
Real Property Acquisition & Sale
The purchase or sale of real property is among the most complicated transactions that a business or individual may undertake, however, our team of attorneys and professionals can guide you through all of the necessary steps so that your settlement occurs in the most efficient and beneficial manner possible. Veritas regularly drafts the sales agreements, retail, office or ground leases, and other related documents that are necessary to ensure a smooth and orderly transaction. Veritas will negotiate on your behalf throughout the process and represent you at closing to protect your business from potential future liability after the sale or purchase.
Registered Agent Services
Once a business entity is formed, each state or jurisdiction of formation requires that entity to keep a “registered agent” in the jurisdiction for the service of all official papers. Our firm acts as registered agent for hundreds of companies in the District of Columbia, and can help your company as well.
Veritas Law’s subsidiary, Jecca Corporate Services, Inc., can act as the registered agent for your business to help your entity comply with the laws of its jurisdiction and accept service of process. The law does not require that a law firm act as a company’s registered agent, but Veritas can ensure that all legal papers are appropriately brought to your attention or receive the appropriate response.
Construction Law
Veritas has a wide-ranging construction practice including the representation of multiple contracting firms, property owners, and architects involved in both construction projects and construction disputes. Whether in the initial contracting stage or involved in complex construction litigation, our team has handled matters throughout the DC Metro area.
We are knowledgeable in drafting and negotiating complex construction agreements and have experience on all sides of a construction contract. Our experience in drafting and negotiating contracts for our contractor clients gives the firm keen insight into litigating construction disputes for commercial property owners, residential home-owners, and construction companies.
Our transactional team and litigation team work together to provide a full range of construction law services, and have vast experience litigating and arbitrating mechanic’s liens disputes, construction defect disputes, warranty claims, and claims arising out of project delays and disruptions.
