Navigating Massachusetts Small Business Law: How a Lawyer Can Safeguard Your Business

Massachusetts Small Business Law

Are you a busy small business owner, too preoccupied with the daily grind to contemplate the legal safeguards your enterprise needs? Even if you do have the time, the sheer complexity of business law might leave you bewildered about where to begin. At slnlaw, we understand these challenges and are here to provide you with the guidance you need. Here are some key areas where our business clients frequently seek our assistance.

Starting Your Business Right

When launching a business, it's never too early to protect yourself from potential risks. Operating as a sole proprietorship, without a formal business entity, can expose your personal assets to your business's liabilities. We can help you establish the proper structure that shields your family's assets from your business-related risks.

Effective Contract Solutions

Without well-crafted contracts, your business may find itself embroiled in litigation if issues arise. This includes contracts with vendors, clients, and customers, as well as agreements with other businesses and potential employment contracts. We specialize in drafting clear, comprehensive contracts that safeguard your interests, ensuring you're protected when the unexpected occurs.

Navigating Independent Contractor Laws

Many entrepreneurs opt to use independent contractors instead of hiring W-2 employees when launching their businesses. While this can offer cost-saving advantages and a sense of flexibility, Massachusetts law imposes strict limits on who can be classified as a contractor. The consequences of misclassification can be financially significant. We're here to guide you through the complexities of contractor classification, helping you avoid costly missteps.

Ensuring Employment Policy Compliance

In Massachusetts, employment laws protecting workers are constantly evolving. Mistakes or omissions regarding these laws can lead to expensive employee lawsuits. Stay ahead of these changes and potential pitfalls by seeking legal advice in advance. We provide expert guidance to help you navigate these intricate laws and minimize the risk of litigation.

Effective Employee Discipline and Termination Strategies

Terminating an employee requires careful consideration and a solid strategy. While Massachusetts follows an "at-will" employment model, the state's discrimination and retaliation laws extend protection to more individuals than you might realize. We offer a roadmap for the termination process that not only helps you avoid common legal mistakes but also manages any associated risks effectively.

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Meet Our Business Attorneys

Emily Smith-Lee is the owner and founder of slnlaw. She is a 1996 graduate of Boston College Law School. She was previously a partner at the Boston office of a large international firm, where she worked for thirteen years with a focus on business litigation. In 2009, she started the firm that since became slnlaw, and has grown it from a solo practice to a five-attorney firm with multiple practice areas. She has been recognized as Massachusetts Superlawyer each year since 2013, and in 2018 earned recognition as one of Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly's Lawyers of the Year. She has written a book on employment law: Rules of the Road, What You Need to Know About Employment Laws in Massachusetts, and helped hundreds of small business owners with contracts, business transactions, employment law advice, business incorporation, and risk management. She has also litigated business disputes in state and federal courts.

Rebecca Rogers: Rebecca is a 2006 graduate of Boston College Law School, and has worked with slnlaw since 2013. She previously worked as an intellectual property litigation attorney for Fish & Richardson in Boston, Massachusetts, and clerked for the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. Rebecca has helped clients with business contracts, employment contracts, and employment law advice.

Jenna Ordway: Jenna is a 2013 graduate of Quinnipiac Law School, and also earned an LLM in Taxation from Boston University in 2015. She has been affiliated with slnlaw since 2011, first as a law clerk and then as an attorney. Jenna has been recognized since 2019 as a "Rising Star" by Massachusetts Superlawyers. Jenna has helped many small business owners with simple and complex business incorporation, contract review, advice and analysis regarding business disputes, employment law advice, and advice about business succession considerations as part of estate planning.

Elijah Bresley: Eli is a 2014 graduate of Seton Hall Law school, and has worked with slnlaw since 2020. He previously worked for a boutique employment law firm outside of Boston, and then for the Labor and Employment department of a large Boston firm. He also spent a year clerking for the judges of the Superior Court in Hartford, Connecticut. Eli has helped our small business clients with employment law advice and defense of employment-related lawsuits in MCAD and state and federal courts.

Sharleen Tinnin: Sharleen is a 2010 graduate of Northeastern University School of Law, and has been with slnlaw since 2023. Prior to joining slnlaw, she worked with King, Tilden, McEttrick & Brink, P.C. on complex civil litigation matters. She previously worked for the United States Department of Justice, and received an "Excellence in Justice" award in 2017. Sharleen has helped clients litigate business disputes in state and federal courts, and advised business owners about succession considerations as part of their estate planning.

How We Can Help

At slnlaw, we specialize in Massachusetts small business law, offering comprehensive guidance to protect your business. From legal entity formation to employment policies and contract drafting, we help you navigate the complexities of business law, so you can focus on growing your enterprise with confidence. You can click the button below to schedule a free information call, or call us at (781) 784-2322.

Schedule a Free Information Call