Helping Your Business For the past thirty four years, since my Coldwater law office began in 1976, it has been my privilege to provide legal services to Branch County businesses. During the years from 1997 - 2004, I interrupted this part of my law practice to concentrate on personal injury claims. Although that decision proved lucrative, I found myself missing the interaction with Branch County's business community. An entrepreneur has an active, exciting mind that is alive with the electricity of ideas. Removing myself from contact with this segment of the local population created an empty space in my life. In mid-2005, I decided to renew my participation in business law matters, and hopefully recreate the relationships that enriched my life before I eliminated this portion of my law practice in 1997. I am hopeful that my reentry into this area will be welcomed by not only past clients but also any local business owner seeking a relationship with a local attorney. Building Relationships Business law is an exciting area in the practice of law. I particularly enjoy interacting with local business owners and workplace managers who seek my assistance in dealing with an assortment of issues and problems that arise in their busy lives. I do not represent or provide services to national Fortune 500 type companies. My clients are people who populate Branch County, and who value hard work, and know they have earned their accomplishments in life.  My clients are people who believe in honesty, integrity, and the dignity of other persons. They display their commitment to those values daily by the way they treat others in the workplace. A good work ethic, knowledge of the product or service being provided the customer, professionalism, persistence, and humility are the characteristics of a successful business person in Branch County. Those are the type of genuine people I enjoy helping in my business as a business lawyer. It truly is a privilege for me to work with Branch County's business community and I am complimented and flattered every time someone enters my law office asking for my assistance. My goal is to help you, and at the completion of my service, recieve in exchange payment of a fair fee and a simple utterance of "thank you"  for my effort. You can count on me saying "you're welcome" for the privilege you provided in allowing me to furnish my services to you. Branch County. A great place to work, live, and enjoy the beauty of life.   Working Together Business law is a phrase that represents a variety of services provided by your lawyer. For example, I assist local businesses in forming a legal entity or structure, such as a limited liability company or a formal partnership. It's important to have the correct documents prepared, and to understand the significance of the type of structure selected for use in operating your business. I provide assistance in negotiating the resolution of disputes with suppliers or purchasers, preserving rather than destroying important relationships. I draft buy-sell agreements, supervise commercial real estate transactions, plan for ownership transition, and manage mergers and acquisitions. I can help you in any phase of personnel matters, including the drafting of policy statements, wrokplace rules of behavior, and investigating complaints of sexual harassment or employment discrimination. Most importantly, I am there to listen to you, to discuss your ideas, aspirations, plans, and goals for your business. I care about your personal and professional life and I want to help you achieve your goals. Your success is my success. Your business is my business.