Roger Gibbons - Helping Small Business Owners Focus on What They Do Best

As an attorney at Lake of the Ozarks, Roger Gibbons knows that being a business owner can involve a variety of areas of law. From how you structure your business, to safety and legal precautions, contracts, and more, it is important to protect yourself as much as possible to avoid unnecessary legal liabilities for you or your business. That is where having an experienced attorney on your side can be invaluable. At Gibbons Law Firm, we have been helping businesses navigate all the legal issues they face for about three decades now. Our law office in Lake Ozark can advise you regarding business and corporate law, construction law, contracts, employment law, landlord tenant law, land-use and zoning, real estate laws, Workmen’s Compensation, and even accident/personal injury law. To give you a better idea, this blog will share with you five specific examples of how a business owner could benefit from working with our business attorneys in Central Missouri.

Business Structure

How you structure your business will not only have tax implications, it will also have legal implications. A skilled business attorney can help you understand and decide which business structure is best in your particular situation when it comes to protecting you from legal liabilities.

Contracts

Contracts are a regular part of running a business. If you have partners in your business, you have contracts outlining that relationship legally. If you have employees, you will have contracts for hiring them, and proper procedures in place when it comes to firing an employee if that ever becomes necessary. When you hire an attorney who understands these legal nuances, they will be able to draft your contracts to be specific to your business, your industry, and your particular situation. Although some new business owners are tempted to cut costs and use premade templates for contracts, that can leave them at risk if those contracts are ever challenged. It is well worth the investment to know that your legal documents have been drawn up specifically for you and cover you legally should a situation arise.

Employment

When you have employees at your small business, it’s important for you to be compliant with all employment law in Missouri. That is why it is necessary for you to fully understand your legal rights and responsibilities as an employer.

Workers Compensation

Employers and employees both can agree that the more everyone works together to reduce and avoid injuries on the job, the better! As an employer, the last thing you want to face is a lawsuit or a Worker’s Compensation claim, and the last thing your employees want is to be seriously injured on the job. So, understanding safety regulations legal responsibilities, and how to handle the situation if an injury does occur, are all areas where having a trusted attorney on your team gives you confidence in knowing you are operating safely and doing what you’re supposed to for you and your employees.

Landlord-Tenant Law

If your business is in rental property, having an attorney on your side that is skilled in landlord-tenant law is a huge asset! Of course, your attorney can draw up rental agreements and contracts that are clear in their language, and effective when it comes to enforcing. Your landlord-tenant attorney at Lake of the Ozarks can also help you with disputes such as property damage, and evictions. Whatever surprises may come up, knowing you have made your decisions with the guidance of a skilled attorney can give you much more confidence as you navigate through any legal situations.

Focus On What You Do Best with Help from Gibbons Law Firm 

Running your business is what you do, you are an expert at it. Helping our clients with an array of legal issues is what we do, and we use all of our expertise and resources to do so. That’s because we understand that you want to focus all YOUR resources and expertise on what YOU do best. If you are a small business owner or thinking about starting your own business in mid-Missouri, we would like to extend to you an invitation for a free initial consultation. Just call our office and schedule your appointment to come in and meet us here at Gibbons Law Firm. Run your business with confidence knowing you have taken all the necessary legal steps to protect yourself and the business you are so dedicated to. Be sure to follow us on social media using the links below to hear more legal tips and information to help you in the future.

Remember, your initial consultation with Gibbons Law Firm is always free.

Your Trusted Legal Resource

Gibbons Law Firm

2820 Bagnell Dam Blvd, Suite B4

Lake Ozark, MO 65049

(573) 348-2211

Follow us on...

• Facebook
• LinkedIn

 

Small Business Owners - Do YOU Have a Trusted Attorney? 5 Ways Gibbons Can Help.

For about three decades now, Roger Gibbons has been working with small business owners, contractors, trades people and more to provide sound legal advice in the areas of business and corporate law, construction law, contracts, employment law, landlord tenant law, land-use and zoning, real estate laws, Worker’s Compensation, and even accident/personal injury law. Roger is able to bring a diverse legal background to help his clients with all the legal issues they could face as small business owners in mid-Missouri. Over the years he has helped builders, contractors, small businesses, subcontractors, and more. Roger has a great respect for entrepreneurs and a passion to help them succeed. By knowing the legal risks, and safeguards related to your particular business, Roger can help you position yourself in the best way possible. In today’s blog, we wanted to share some of the most common ways small businesses can benefit from experienced legal advice when forming and operating their business. If you are a small business owner or thinking about starting your own business, we wrote this blog for you!

1) Contracts

Most businesses will deal with contracts on a fairly regular basis. You may have contracts with your clients, you may have contracts with different vendors, and you may even have contracts between you and your business partners. It can be tempting to try and save some money by using an online legal service, or even cookie cutter contracts that you just fill in. But your contracts are not a formality, they are legal agreements that will determine what you are able to enforce or what you are liable for should something happen in the future. It is definitely advisable to have those contracts specifically drawn up for your business, your situation, and your location rather than using a generic form. It is well worth the investment considering the risk you’re taking otherwise.

2) Structuring Your Business

Whether you decide to be a sole proprietorship, or an LLC will have a direct effect on your legal safeguards as well as your tax liability. To decide the best structure requires knowledge of your business and knowledge of the legal aspects of the different structures. Roger Gibbons has the legal understanding of the structures and how they will affect you, and after sitting down and talking with you about your business, he can help you decide on the one that will protect you from liability as much as possible, but still give you the safeguards you need as a business owner.

3) Employment Law

There are a lot of legal considerations when it comes to having employees. Again, you want employment contracts that are based on sound legal advice and specific to your business and industry. In addition, just understanding your legal responsibilities when it comes to hiring and firing and knowing how to stay compliant with regulations and laws that you are subject to as an employer is critical to your business. One legal mistake can be devastatingly costly. You are an expert in your field, we are experts in the legal field when it comes to issues of employment law. So, choose an attorney knowledgeable in employment law in Missouri to look out for you and prevent costly problems in the future.

4) Worker’s Compensation

Employers want their employees to be safe on the job, and employees deserve not to be seriously injured while at work. It takes everyone’s effort working together to create a safe work environment. Legally, you want to understand your responsibilities, and you want your employees to understand theirs. Sometimes employees think rules are just to protect the employer but some things that are required for safety are to protect the employees too. Roger Gibbons can help you understand how to look out for yourself, and how to prevent injuries and liabilities with your employees.

5) Landlord-Tenant Law

The above areas apply to landlord-tenant law too. Having a specific contract that clearly outlines the responsibilities and expectations for both parties can make the chances of compliance and enforcement much more realistic. Having a skilled landlord-tenant attorney at Lake of the Ozarks can prevent a lot of headaches and help create a clear understanding between you and your tenants which can contribute to better long-term relationships and profit margins as well. Let us help you maintain a profitable business, by running it in a way that is clear and understandable for everyone involved.

Gibbons Law Firm – Looking Out for the Small Business Owner

As a small business owner, we know you have a specific vision and talent that you offer to the world. You shouldn’t have to be distracted from that to deal with legal issues. That is our world. We are here and happy to help you, and we have the knowledge and legal background to guide you in the right direction. There are a lot of decisions to be made, but when you have an experienced attorney on your team, those decisions are much easier to feel solid about, and much safer to rely on if they ever come to the test. So, if you are a small business owner, or thinking about starting your own business in Central Missouri, we invite you to schedule a free initial consultation with Gibbons Law Firm. We would love to get to know you and hear more about your vision, and help you bring it to life. If you found this blog helpful and would like to hear more legal tips and information from our law firm in Lake Ozark, we have links below for you to follow us on your favorite social media platform.

Remember, your initial consultation with Gibbons Law Firm is always free.

Your Trusted Legal Resource

Gibbons Law Firm

2820 Bagnell Dam Blvd, Suite B4

Lake Ozark, MO 65049

(573) 348-2211

Follow us on...

• Facebook
• LinkedIn

 

5 Ways Gibbons Law Firm be an Asset to the Small Business Owner

Since beginning his private practice in 1992, Roger Gibbons has represented numerous business and business interests in his legal career. His client base includes builders and contractors, small businesses and subcontractors, as well as municipalities and government entities. He understands the laws and regulations that affect your small business. His diverse knowledge and experience in so many areas of law have proven to be a great asset to business owners over the years, and Roger enjoys being a part of their dream and seeing their success. If you are an entrepreneur or are thinking about starting a business yourself, there are a number of ways that a business attorney in mid-Missouri could be of benefit to you. If you would like to find out 5 ways Gibbons Law Firm could help you with your business, just keep reading this blog.

Business Structure

How you structure your business will make a difference in your legal liability and safeguards and create other advantages (or liabilities). It depends on the specifics of your business whether you should structure it as a sole proprietorship, or an LLC. Roger Gibbons understands those specifics and after speaking with you and learning about your business, can help you structure it to give you the most safeguards and the least liability possible.

Employment Law

Employment law is another area where it is best to have a professional legal opinion. When it comes to your workplace environment, employment contracts, hiring and firing, and staying compliant with laws and regulations regarding employers and employees, it makes more sense to rely on decades of experience from a legal professional than your own experience or even worse, Google. An attorney experienced in employment law in mid-Missouri can help you prevent problems that can be costly down the road.

Contracts

In most businesses, there are contracts that you will use between you and your clients, between you and other vendors, perhaps between you and business partners, and more. Sometimes people opt for pre-made fillable contracts, but those are not detailed to your situation, and your locality. Having an experienced attorney at Lake of the Ozarks draw up your contracts specifically for your business and your situation will be much safer than using a generic form.

Workers Compensation

The last thing any business owner wants to have happen is an employee being seriously injured on the job. Business owners value their employees, and they want them to be taken care of if something happens without it sinking the business financially and eliminating everyone’s jobs. So, understanding Workers' Compensation laws, how to prevent injuries and liabilities, and how to handle it if an employee is injured, are all critical to protecting the business you have worked so hard to create. A skilled business attorney at Lake of the Ozarks can help equip you with the knowledge and legal information you need to protect yourself and your employees.

Landlord-Tenant Law

The better landlords and tenants understand expectations regarding the rental agreement between them, the easier it is for both sides to look out for their own rights while being respectful of the other's. Tenants need to know what is acceptable and what the consequences are if they do not keep their rental agreement. Landlords need to understand their responsibilities, but also be protected so that if a tenant breaks their agreement, the landlord has legal recourse. Clear contracts and an accurate understanding of the law are what you need when it comes to any type of rental business.

Gibbons Law Firm is Your Small Business Advocate!

At Gibbons Law Firm we have the utmost respect for small business owners. We appreciate the role they play in our community and in our economy. We are here to support and help them in any way we can. If you have questions about any area of business law in Missouri, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us! Your initial consultation is free, and scheduling is as easy as calling our office. If you enjoyed this blog and would like to hear more tips and information from our Law Firm in Lake Ozark, be sure to follow us on social media! We have links to our channels below.

Remember, your initial consultation with Gibbons Law Firm is always free.

Your Trusted Legal Resource

Gibbons Law Firm

2820 Bagnell Dam Blvd, Suite B4

Lake Ozark, MO 65049

(573) 348-2211

Follow us on...

• Facebook
• LinkedIn

 

Ways to Reduce Your Chance of a Workers Compensation Claim Against Your Business

A workers compensation claim can be detrimental to a business - depending on how severe the injury or your type of workers comp insurance. While it is required for a business to have a workers compensation policy on their employees, some may still not. Our business attorney at the Lake of the Ozarks knows how important this type of insurance coverage is for all businesses. Even with a workers comp policy, it's best to help your employees avoid an accident at all. Below you can find a few tips on how to better prepare your staff for a safe work environment.

Regular Training

Ensure your staff has regular training sessions to promote safety. Cover any new safety protocol and review your current procedures. This can help ensure that safety is top of mind for all of your employees. While most new employees receive safety training during their initial training, it's best to have a refresher course on a regular basis.

Prepare New Employees

When hiring someone to join your team, ensure they have been shown the proper safety protocol for all tasks. This is important to show how safety is a top priority for your new staff members. Putting a high importance on safety can help make it clear from the start of their employment that you take the safety of your employees seriously. Take the extra time to explain in detail the safety regulations you have within your company. Also, ensure each new employee fully understands what the safety protocol is and why it is in place.

Be Open to Improvements

Let your staff know that you are always on the lookout for safety improvements. Sometimes the people who do the job a daily basis can have great input for safety ideas to add to your company's protocol. Try to be open for employees to report faulty equipment. Let your staff know that you want to know when a piece of equipment is starting to fail, as this is a huge safety concern that needs to be addressed right away.

Have Employees Look Out

Encourage all of your staff members to look out for one another. If someone notices a lack of safety, please encourage them to report this. Keeping someone safe is important to all employees and the company as a whole. Also, a co-worker may be able to help point out a safety concern to a fellow employee in real-time and help prevent an unnecessary injury.

If you own a business, it's important to best prepare your employees to create a safe work environment. Our Lake of the Ozarks business lawyer is here to help with a workers compensation claim near the Lake of the Ozarks. If you have an employee get injured on the job, our law firm in Lake Ozark, MO can help. Give Gibbons Law Firm a call today to learn about your legal options when it comes to a workers compensation claim.

Remember, your initial consultation with Gibbons Law Firm is always free.

Your Trusted Legal Resource

Gibbons Law Firm

2820 Bagnell Dam Blvd, Suite B4

Lake Ozark, MO 65049

(573) 348-2211

Follow us on...

• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• Google+