Business & Workplace Discrimination Labor Law Charleston County SC

Workplace Discrimination/EEOC:

Hostile Work Environment:

In South Carolina, every worker has the right to work in a safe, harassment-free work environment. We are dedicated to defending the rights of employees who have been subjected to a hostile work environment. We have successfully handled cases involving sexual harassment, racial discrimination, bullying, intimidation, and other forms of abuse. We are committed to providing you with compassionate and effective legal representation.

Business Law / Start-Ups:

Starting and owning a business is complicated. Not only do you need to master your trade, but you need to make sure your legal and accounting ducks are in a row to avoid risks and penalties. Our attorneys are adept in helping entrepreneurs and businesses with their legal needs. We can assist you with business formation, general business matters, and legal guidance for business ventures and start-ups. We have the knowledge and experience to help you navigate the complex legal landscape of all industries, whether you need a contract, a partnership agreement, a trademark, or a business plan.

Business Formation and Structure:

When starting a new business, we can help choose the appropriate legal structure, such as sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company (LLC), or corporation. We can assist with drafting and filing necessary documents, such as articles of incorporation or organization, bylaws, operating agreements, and partnership agreements.

Regulatory Compliance:

Businesses in South Carolina must adhere to various federal, state, and local regulations. We can help ensure compliance with licensing requirements, tax regulations, employment laws, environmental laws, and industry-specific regulations.

Private Equity Transactions (Business Sales, Mergers, etc.) :

We aid our clients in private equity transactions, such as business sales, mergers, acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, and recapitalizations. Our firm provides advice and represents you in every stage of the transaction, from due diligence to closing. We can help you structure, negotiate, and execute the deal that best suits your goals and interests, whether you are a buyer, a seller, or an investor.

Partnership/Business Disputes:

Partnership disputes and general business disputes can be devastating to partners and the business overall. You may be facing issues such as breaches of contract, breaches of fiduciary duty, fraud, misrepresentation, unfair competition, dissolution, and more. There are many avenues to resolving these disputes, including mediation, arbitration, and litigation, depending on your situation and preference. We are committed to providing you with professional and effective legal representation.

Contracts and Agreements:

You can’t unwrite a bad contract after it’s signed. Reducing your intentions to a written agreement can be very difficult. Having the guidance of an experienced firm while going through this process can help you avoid common mistakes which could lead to costly and complex litigation. We can help you create, revise, and finalize contracts that suit your needs and properly protect your interests. Whether you have to create a contract from scratch, such as partnership agreements, leases, subcontractor agreements, franchise agreements, operating agreements, by-laws, non-competes, non-solicitations, employment agreements, independent contractor agreements, and more, you need an attorney to guide through this complex process.

Trademarks and Copyrights:

The name, logo, slogan or other identifying business mark you use is valuable. Failure to properly protect this intellectual property could lead to your loss of the ability to use it. Koontz Mlynarczyk Belger can help you register, renew, or enforce your trademark rights with the USPTO or other authorities. You may need a trademark search, trademark application, trademark opposition, cease and desist letter or trademark litigation. We can provide the advice necessary to help you protect your brand.

Alcohol Licensing/Applications/Disputes:

Obtaining a license to sell alcoholic products in South Carolina is complicated by forms, complex regulations, and administrative law court rulings. Many South Carolina alcohol and beverage license applications get denied as a result of not filling out these documents properly. These licenses are required for restaurants, bars, breweries, wineries, and retailers. You may need a temporary license if you are putting on an event, such as a fund raiser or a large event that will be selling alcohol. Our attorneys can guide you through the process of obtaining or defending your alcohol license such as the application, the inspection, hearings, appeals, or any other issue related to your alcohol license.

Commercial Leases Creation/Litigation:

Our firm has the experience to handle all aspects of commercial leases throughout South Carolina. From creation to litigation, we can help you draft, review, negotiate or litigate commercial leases anywhere in the state. Some issues you may be facing related to your commercial lease could include past due rent, maintenance, termination, eviction, damages to the property, trade fixtures or property taxes. We have represented both landlords and tenants for over two decades and no matter the issue, we can use our experience to get you the best result.

Insurance Audits:

Insurance policies for your business are expensive. Depending on the size of your company, you may need workmen’s compensation, general liability, auto protection, premises liability, dram shop or liquor license insurance and more. Insurance companies will sometimes send a notice that your business policy is being audited. We see this a lot for workmen’s compensation as the policy premiums are estimated based on your payroll expenses. If you underestimate they will come after you for the proper amounts based on actual wages paid over a year period. There are many factors you must address to prevent the insurance auditors from demanding a huge payment from you and your company and many policies and procedures you can implement before this happens to give you the ammunition you need to properly defend the high demands.

Employment Matters:

Our attorneys provide full services to our clients related to employment issues, including drafting employment contracts, employee handbooks, and policies. We can also advise on matters related to hiring, termination, discrimination, harassment, payment of wages and hour compliance.