Lawyers Who Practice Business and Corporate Law
Our business and corporate law lawyers have extensive experience representing clients throughout Windsor and Essex County. Click on a lawyer below to learn more.
As a business owner, legal questions can feel like one more thing on an already full plate. You might be wondering whether to incorporate, how to structure a partnership, or what protections you need before signing a major contract. These are exactly the kinds of decisions where good advice early on saves time, money, and stress later.
At Stipic Binder Drake Reynolds LLP, we have spent decades advising business owners across a range of industries. Our dedicated legal team takes the time to understand your company, your goals, and your concerns, then explains your options without the legal jargon. From your first business plan to the day you sell or wind down, we handle the legal side so you can focus on running your company. Because our firm also handles commercial real estate and other related areas, we can support your business in one place as it grows and changes.
Incorporating Your Business in Ontario
One of the first big questions many owners face is whether to incorporate, and if so, whether to incorporate federally or provincially. Incorporation affects your rights, your responsibilities, your taxes, and even the name you can use. We help you weigh the options, choose the right structure, and handle the paperwork so you can make an informed decision for your company.
Buying or Selling a Business
Buying or selling a business is one of the most significant transactions an owner will ever make, and the details matter. We represent your interests through the entire process, from due diligence and reviewing the books to negotiating terms and closing the deal. Our goal is to help you understand exactly what you are getting into and to protect you from surprises down the road.
Forming a Partnership
Many people prefer to start a business with someone else. We explain how general and limited partnerships work from both a practical and a tax standpoint, and we help you put clear terms in writing before anyone signs. A well-drafted partnership agreement can prevent misunderstandings and protect the relationship if circumstances change.
Drafting Shareholders' Agreements
A well-drafted shareholders' agreement anticipates future problems and sets out how to handle them. It can govern how directors manage the corporation, protect the interests of majority and minority shareholders, control share transfers, and establish a dispute resolution process. If you later reorganize the company, the agreement can guide those changes, or we can help you negotiate a new arrangement. Whatever stage you are at, our business lawyers can offer clear, knowledgeable guidance.
Dissolving or Winding Up a Company
When a company is closing for financial reasons, a retirement, or a change in direction, careful work is needed so no detail is overlooked. Whether your company is incorporated provincially or federally, you may need to file articles of dissolution, discharge liabilities, close your HST and payroll accounts, and cancel municipal licences. We guide you through each step so your business is wound up properly and cleanly.
Commercial Contracts, Leases, and Other Business Matters
Beyond these core services, we act for businesses on a wide range of everyday legal needs. That includes contract negotiations, construction lien matters, and tax issues, as well as negotiating commercial leases and advising on commercial transactions and real estate development. Whatever your business is working on, we can help you move forward with confidence.
FAQ About Business and Corporate Law
Should I incorporate my business, and should it be federal or provincial?
It depends on your goals. Incorporating can offer liability protection and tax planning advantages, but it also adds responsibilities and costs. Federal incorporation lets you operate under one name across Canada, while provincial incorporation may be simpler if you do business mainly in Ontario. We can walk you through the trade-offs and help you choose.
What does a business lawyer do when I buy a business?
We guide you through the whole transaction. That includes due diligence, reviewing financial records and contracts, identifying risks, negotiating the terms, and handling the closing. The goal is to make sure you understand exactly what you are buying and that your interests are protected.
Why do I need a shareholders' agreement?
A shareholders' agreement sets the rules before problems arise. It can address how the company is managed, how shares can be transferred, how to protect majority and minority shareholders, and how to resolve disputes. Without one, disagreements can be far harder and more expensive to sort out.
What is the difference between a general and a limited partnership?
In a general partnership, the partners share management and are personally responsible for the partnership's obligations. In a limited partnership, limited partners typically invest but have reduced liability and a limited role in management. Each has different practical and tax implications, which we can explain based on your plans.
What is involved in dissolving or winding up a company?
Closing a company properly takes more than simply stopping operations. Depending on how the company is set up, you may need to file articles of dissolution, pay off liabilities, close HST and payroll accounts, and cancel licences. We help make sure nothing is missed so the company is wound up cleanly.
Do I really need a lawyer to review a commercial lease?
It is a good idea. Commercial leases are often long, heavily favour the landlord, and can lock you into significant obligations for years. Having a lawyer review the terms before you sign can help you understand your commitments and negotiate better terms.
How can a lawyer help with my business contracts?
We can draft, review, and negotiate contracts so the terms are clear and your interests are protected. A carefully written contract reduces the risk of disputes later and gives you a stronger position if a disagreement does come up.
When should a small business owner talk to a lawyer?
Earlier than most people think. Getting advice when you start up, take on a partner, sign a major contract, or plan a sale can prevent costly problems later. You do not need to wait for a dispute to benefit from legal guidance.
Our Windsor Business Lawyers Help You Build Your Business on a Solid Legal Foundation
Whether you are just getting started or planning your next move, the right legal advice makes a real difference. Our Windsor business lawyers are ready to listen, answer your questions, and help you take the next step with confidence. Call us at (519) 254-6433 or contact us online to get started. We help clients in Windsor, Tecumseh, LaSalle, Belle River, Kingsville, Leamington, Chatham-Kent, Sarnia-Lambton, and across Ontario.
