All Your Answers are a Phone Call Away

Jeffrey Dowd, Esq. has represented thousands of small businesses since 1996. As a sole practitioner, Mr. Dowd has personally handled matters that affect all areas of a small business, in all industries. With over two decades of experience representing small businesses, Mr. Dowd is able to answer most client questions within minutes. With our General Counsel Service, answers to all your businesses legal questions are only a phone call away. No more doubt. No more worry.

All businesses are highly regulated. Unfortunately, complying with a lot of regulations comes with a cost. You need people with knowledge of the industry and the regulations. These people ensure that the correct records are obtained and maintained. They also make sure the business pays the appropriate taxes and prepares and files all required documentation. And, they help the business navigate the problems that will inevitably arise when you operate a business.

Sign Up for the General Counsel Service Online

To sign up for the General Counsel Service, download the General Counsel Retainer. Complete the retainer. Then sign and email to info@dowdlaw.com. We will send you an invoice for the annual fee. You can pay online for immediate access. Or you can mail in a check.

Most small businesses can’t afford a human resource department to keep up with the employment laws and regulations. And they certainly can’t afford a legal department to prepare, review and negotiate their contracts, navigate industry regulations, and help them maintain government compliances. Businesses come with a lot of risks and liabilities. To both you and the business. There are plenty of laws, regulations and government agencies protecting the public, customers and employees. But not the businesses or the business owners. Sign up for our General Counsel Service today to let Dowd Law help protect you and your business.

More Than Just Legal Advice

Getting answers to legal questions, when you need them is important. But, what is more important is having a sounding board. Someone to bounce ideas off of. Someone that can provide valuable feedback. Our General Counsel Service is just that. Our goal is to help business owners make better business decisions. Whether that entails a legal issue, a business issue, or a combination of the two.

Mr. Dowd is more than a small business attorney. He is a SCORE Certified Business Mentor. Jeffery Dowd has over two decades of experiences representing thousands of small and startup business. He has represented businesses that include franchisees, franchisors, retailers, wholesalers, manufactures and service professionals.

Below are some of the different areas of law that Dowd Law can cover. Before you make a costly decision, call Dowd Law.

Government Regulation

Businesses, big and small, are regulated by local, county, state and federal laws and agencies. They regulate everything from set up to sale. Which agencies regulate you depends on the nature of your business, the products you sell, and the people you employ.

Call Dowd Law if you have questions about workplace laws, including employment law or human resource issues.

Taxes

The businesses tax obligations depend on a lot of factors. Because there are a lot of taxes knowing what your business is responsible for can be confusing.

Business Taxes your company may be responsible for:

• Corporate income tax
• Payroll tax
• Reemployment tax (formerly unemployment tax)
• Tangible personal property tax
• Intangible property taxes
• Documentary stamp tax
• Sales and use tax
• Real estate tax
• Occupational tax
• Additional taxes

There are more than 4 state and federal agencies responsible for taxing businesses and transactions, including the IRS, Florida Department of Revenue, the county tax collector, and the county property appraiser. Do you know what taxes your business is responsible for? Not sure? Call Dowd Law.

Licensing

The agencies responsible for regulating your business will largely depend on your type of business. Some types of businesses and professions require nothing more the an occupational license to open and operate. This is essentially nothing more that a tax to operate your business in the county or city. While other businesses require extensive qualifications to engage in the business, such as construction, accounting or law.

Businesses can be regulated at the city, county, state and federal levels. And they can regulate the people, places, and products. In Florida, there are more than 10 state and federal agencies that regulate businesses, including the Florida and federal Department of Transportation, Florida and federal Departments of Environmental Protection, Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, county and city tax collectors

Corporate Formation and Maintenance

Florida Statutes control the formation and operation of a corporation, limited liability company (LLC), and partnership in Florida. The Florida Department of State Division of Corporations is responsible for recording and maintaining official corporate records in Florida. Florida entities can be filed on-line at Sunbiz.org. The state provides form templates for use, but they are limited and the state employees cannot render advice on completing the forms.

Don’t miss out on valuable protection. Make sure your corporation or LLC is correctly set up and properly maintained. If you have questions about setting up or maintaining your company, give Dowd Law a call.

Contracts and Leases

Everything you do in business is governed by a contract. Your landlord, vendors, employees and customers all have contracts with you. Whether oral or written, they are contracts.

If a contract (agreement) is important or significant enough get it in writing and make sure it protects what you need protected. A poorly written or unwritten contract can make or break a business. Or, not in writing at all.

Call Dowd Law to answer any questions you have about contracts or leases.

Asset Protection

Every business has risks. The goal is to keep as much separation as possible between your risks and your rewards! Therefore, it is important to understand your risks and how to mitigate potential losses related to those risks. Risk assessment and mitigation.

Dowd Law can help you identify risks and formulate solutions to keep your assets safe. But asset protection requires planning. If you try to protect your assets after you incur the liability, it is probably too late.

Trademarks and Service Marks

The value of a business usually lies in it’s brand. It’s trademarks and service marks. The name, logo or slogan associated with the product or service. The brand is what you market so people know how to find you. And, the brand is what you want to protect so no one confuses someone else’s product or service with yours.

Make sure you can protect your brand. Certain marks are easier to protect than others. Unique and non-descriptive names are usually the easiest to register and protect. State trademarks are for products and services that are marketed and sold exclusively in one state. Federal trademarks are for products and services that are marketed or sold in multiple states. Or that otherwise involve interstate commerce.

Call Dowd Law with questions about trademarks, service marks or for help getting them registered.