ORGANIZATION AND COUNSELING
FOR BUSINESSES AND NOT-FOR-PROFITS
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The Firm assists in the establishment and operation of commercial businesses and not-for-profit organizations. These services include assisting clients with the selection of the proper form of organization (e.g., traditional corporations or partnerships, or one of the more recently employed limited liability entities) for the entity’s anticipated activities. Once the organization form is selected, we develop the appropriate documentation to ensure that the governance of that entity is consistent with the client’s objectives: articles of incorporation, bylaws, partnership agreements, operating agreements, management agreements, buy-sell agreements, confidentiality and non-compete agreements, and licensing agreements.
For some, the Firm serves as outside general counsel and provides guidance as to the company’s day-to-day operations. For others, the Firm provides advice and counsel on specific projects or issues and supports in- house or general counsel on specific issues.
Our attorneys, staff and consultants work to understand our clients’ operations in order to help them avoid or contain problems by providing preventive recommendations. We design and implement compliance and training programs, we conduct internal audits and investigations, and we provide guidance regarding compliance with the myriad filing, disclosure and other requirements under state and federal laws.
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GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS COMPLIANCE
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The Firm regularly assists federal contractors interpret their obligations under the Buy American Act, the Truth in Negotiations Act, Domestic Source Restrictions, Equal Employment Opportunity policies, and Conflicts of Interest laws. We also draft purchase orders and subcontracts to ensure that our clients comply with their obligations and flow down appropriate requirements to lower-tier subcontractors and vendors; and counsel clients in connection with change orders, claims for suspension, delay or termination, compliance with reporting requirements, detection and avoidance of conflicts of interest and potential fraud, and issues relating to security clearances.
We provide clients engaged in business with the federal government with assistance in the formation and organization of corporations, teaming agreements, letter agreements, and joint ventures; obtaining financing in connection with federal contracts; and in the administration of issues that can arise at any time from contract award through final audit and close-out. The Firm also assists clients in their compliance with the legal formalities and requirements engendered by the sale or purchase of an entity that holds government contracts, including novation agreements and assignments of proceeds.
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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
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The Firm's practice includes counseling, investigations and litigation in connection with its corporate clients’ and their officers’ obligations under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and similar statutes.
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EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION INVESTIGATIONS AND LITIGATION
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The Firm's status as a woman-owned business gives our attorneys a unique perspective on employment issues as they relate to Title VII and similar anti-discrimination laws. In these matters, we strive, whenever possible, to resolve these cases short of litigation, consistent with our philosophy to consider not only the short-term, but also the long-term goals of our clients. When such resolution is not possible, however, we have instituted or defended cases on a wide range of employment issues.
Our attorneys have substantial experience representing individuals and companies in cases involving hiring, termination and other employment-related matters. Our clients include corporations, not-for-profits and financial institutions seeking counsel on how to respond to charges brought by employees, customers and loan applicants; others are professionals seeking redress from adverse and illegal employment actions.
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CERTIFICATION AND COMPLIANCE WITH SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROGRAMS
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Attorneys at the Firm regularly assist companies in obtaining certification, in maintaining certification eligibility, in defending challenges to certification status, and in securing approval of proposed ownership/structural changes for certified program participants in the DOT Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (“DBE”) programs, the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 8(A) BD and Small Disadvantaged Business (“SDB”) programs, and other, similar programs. We have represented clients in size, certification and compliance matters before the U.S. General Accounting Office; the U.S. Small Business Administration; the U.S. Department of Transportation; and EEO/DBE offices of Departments of Transportation recipients and Airport Authorities.
The Firm’s familiarity with the statutes, regulations and policies in this evolving area allow it to assist all clients in understanding and complying with M/W/DBE requirements and program guidelines for mentor/protegé programs. For example, the Firm regularly assists majority contractors in establishing outreach programs that allow them to achieve the goals for DBE participation, to track their compliance with program requirements, and to satisfy good-faith effort obligations imposed through federally-funded contracts.
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