Minneapolis Business Law Attorneys

Serving the Business Community in Hennepin County & Twin Cities Metro

Business law involves all the legal aspects of forming, operating, and dissolving a company. In today’s ever-changing economics and markets, a business lawyer can provide much-needed guidance to help companies get off the ground, grow, and thrive. 

This area involves a wide range of legal practices related to compliance with federal, state, and local regulations and resolving civil disputes between companies and other parties. These practices cover creating a business, its ongoing transactional and operational issues, and winding up a business when it closes. 

At RWI Law, we offer practical legal guidance in contract law, employment law, intellectual property law, and more. These practice areas involve regulating business entities in conducting commerce, from business registration through safeguarding ideas and innovations to guidance through complex transactions. 

Schedule a confidential consultation with a Minneapolis business lawyer by phone at (320) 408-2614 or email us on our online contact form to get started.

Why Might a Business Need Legal Help?

Regardless of size, businesses often face legal challenges that require knowledgeable advice and intervention. 

Businesses may need legal help to:

• Ensure compliance: Adherence to regulations, codes, and standards is crucial for any business to avoid penalties and legal troubles.
• Protect intellectual property: Intellectual property rights are critical to protecting innovations, trade secrets, and branding elements.
• Draft and review contracts: Creating contracts that are thorough and legally binding prevents future disputes.
• Navigate complex transactions: Legal knowledge in mergers, acquisitions, and other complex transactions can help avoid pitfalls and maximize benefits.
• Dispute resolution: Efficient resolution of disputes with employees, customers, or other businesses can be done through negotiation, mediation, or litigation.
• Business formation and dissolution: The professional advice needed to start and wind up a business properly ensures that all legal aspects are suitably handled.

Business Formation & Dissolution

Starting a business involves selecting the correct business structure (such as a sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, or corporation), registering the business name, obtaining necessary licenses and permits, and drafting foundational documents like articles of incorporation. Our firm can assist you in navigating these initial steps to ensure your business stands on a sound legal foundation.

When you work with us on formation matters, we take time to understand your ownership structure, growth goals, and risk tolerance so that we can recommend a Minnesota entity type that supports your plans. This often includes discussing tax considerations with your existing advisors, clarifying how profits and losses will be shared, and identifying which decision-makers should have formal authority under your governing documents. By addressing these issues at the outset, we help reduce internal disputes and make it easier to bring in new investors or transfer ownership as your business evolves in the Twin Cities market.

Business Licenses

Acquiring the necessary business licenses and permits can be complex, with requirements varying based on industry, location, and scale. We can help businesses identify and obtain the licenses to operate legally, enabling them to focus on growth and operations.

For companies operating in Minneapolis and broader Hennepin County, licensing questions often arise at the city, county, and state levels at the same time. We can help you determine which registrations must be filed with the Minnesota Secretary of State, which professional or trade licenses apply to your industry, and whether your operations trigger local zoning or land-use reviews. By creating a clear checklist of required filings and renewal dates, we support business owners in staying current with their obligations and reducing the risk of unexpected fines, enforcement actions, or interruptions to daily operations.

Startup Services

Our firm offers comprehensive legal services to support startups' unique challenges and opportunities. These include drafting founders’ agreements, securing funding, protecting intellectual property, and navigating employment laws. Our legal guidance helps startups begin strong and scale efficiently.

Founders in the Minneapolis technology, professional services, and creative sectors often need practical guidance on how to divide equity, document roles, and plan for future capital raises. We can assist with creating vesting schedules, addressing what happens if a founder leaves, and aligning your corporate records with the expectations of local lenders or investors. As your company grows, we can review standard customer contracts, vendor agreements, and early hiring practices so that your internal processes keep pace with new opportunities and you can focus on building your product or service rather than resolving preventable disputes.

Intellectual Property

Protecting your intellectual property is essential in safeguarding your business's innovations, branding, and proprietary information. We assist with patent, trademark, and copyright registrations and enforce intellectual property rights. Our firm can work to protect your valuable assets against infringement and misuse.

Many business owners are unsure which aspects of their work can or should be protected, particularly when they are launching a new brand in the Minneapolis area. We can help you prioritize which names, logos, or creative works to register first, develop internal practices to keep trade secrets confidential, and respond quickly if you receive a demand letter or notice that another company is using confusingly similar branding. By integrating intellectual property planning into your broader business strategy, you can enter new markets, collaborate with partners, and license your offerings with greater confidence.

Mergers & Acquisitions

Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) involve legally joining two businesses or acquiring another company, which can be a complex legal and financial process. We can provide comprehensive advice on due diligence, transaction structures, negotiation terms, and compliance with relevant laws. We aim to facilitate smooth M&A transitions that align with your business objectives.

For closely held companies in the Twin Cities, a sale or acquisition is often the result of years of planning, and decisions made early in the process can have lasting tax and governance consequences. We assist buyers and sellers in organizing key contracts, understanding existing liabilities, and coordinating with accountants and other advisors so that you have a clear picture of what is being transferred. Whether you are considering an asset purchase or stock sale, we can help you evaluate letters of intent, set realistic timelines, and prepare transaction documents that reflect your priorities while complying with Minnesota corporate and commercial law.

Ending a Business

Ending a business can be as complex as starting one, involving several legal and regulatory steps. Whether you are dissolving the company, selling it, or passing it on through inheritance, understanding the legal framework and planning appropriately is essential.

RWI Law assists with the business dissolution process. This starts with filing a notice of dissolution, notifying relevant state authorities of your intent. Other steps include settling debts and obligations, distributing assets, canceling licenses and permits, and finalizing employment matters.

We also help owners think through the practical and relational aspects of winding down a company in Minneapolis, such as communicating with key customers and vendors, addressing lease obligations, and coordinating with lenders. In some situations, it may be appropriate to explore an orderly sale of assets or a negotiated resolution with creditors before proceeding with formal dissolution filings. Our goal is to guide you through a clear sequence of steps so that you can close this chapter of your business life with confidence that your legal responsibilities have been addressed.

We can help with business valuation and sale preparation when selling a business. We can organize financial statements, contracts, and other necessary documents for prospective buyers. Our team can also negotiate sales terms and help finalize the sale by completing the transaction through legal documentation and ownership transfer.

Business Succession Planning

Business succession planning is a critical component in preparing for the future transfer of business ownership. This enables a smooth transition and continuity of the business operations. RWI Law can help identify successors and establish a realistic timeline for the transition process. Additional assistance can include necessary training and development opportunities to prepare successors and a succession plan that outlines the transition process, successor roles, and contingency plans. 

For many family-owned and closely held companies in Hennepin County, succession planning overlaps with estate planning, retirement goals, and the expectations of the next generation. We can coordinate with your financial and tax advisors to evaluate different transfer options, such as gradual ownership shifts, management buyouts, or sales to outside purchasers. By documenting clear decision-making authority and communicating the plan to key stakeholders, we help reduce uncertainty and conflict so that your business is better positioned to continue serving customers and employees long after the current owners step back.

Our Business And Commercial Law Approach In Minneapolis

When you face a business dispute or need guidance on day-to-day operations, you want more than abstract legal theory. You want advice that accounts for your industry, your risk tolerance, and the realities of doing business in Minneapolis and the broader Twin Cities area. At RWI Law, we approach each matter by listening first, clarifying your goals, and then developing a practical plan that fits your timeline and resources.

We regularly assist companies with contract drafting and review, governance issues, and disputes that may end up in the civil divisions of Hennepin County District Court if they cannot be resolved informally. Our team looks for opportunities to use negotiation and other forms of alternative dispute resolution to protect relationships and control costs. When litigation becomes necessary, we prepare thoroughly and communicate clearly so that you understand each stage of the process and can make informed decisions about settlement, discovery, and trial.

Because we offer both business and civil law services, we are able to spot issues that might otherwise be missed, such as how a dispute could affect existing employment arrangements, intellectual property ownership, or future transactions. This broader perspective allows us to coordinate strategy across related matters and reduce the risk that a quick fix in one area will create new problems in another. By focusing on long-term stability rather than short-term wins, we aim to help you protect what you have built and position your company for the next phase of growth.

What To Expect When You Work With Us

Understanding what will happen after you first reach out can make it easier to take the next step. When you contact RWI Law about a business or commercial law question, we start by gathering background information, reviewing key documents, and learning how the issue is affecting your operations. This initial conversation gives us a clear picture of your concerns and helps us determine how we can assist.

After we understand the situation, we outline options in plain language and discuss the potential benefits and risks of each path. You remain in control of decisions about how to proceed, and we work with you to match the approach to your budget and time constraints. Throughout the matter, we prioritize regular communication, whether your case involves filings with the Minnesota Secretary of State, negotiations with another business, or a proceeding in a local court, so that you are not left wondering about the status of your issue.

Our goal is to build a lasting relationship where you feel comfortable reaching out with questions as they arise, rather than waiting until a problem has grown more serious. By staying connected, we can often address concerns early and help you avoid more costly disputes down the road. This collaborative way of working supports business owners and managers who value clear expectations, thoughtful planning, and a steady partner in navigating legal questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

When Should I Contact A Business Lawyer About A Business Issue?

It is usually helpful to contact a business lawyer as soon as you see a potential problem emerging, rather than waiting until a dispute has fully developed. Early advice can guide how you communicate with the other party, which documents you should preserve, and what steps might prevent the issue from escalating. Even if the matter seems minor, a brief consultation can give you clarity and help you decide whether you can address it on your own or if further legal help would be useful.

What Information Should I Gather Before A Business Law Consultation?

Before a consultation, it is helpful to collect key contracts, emails, or letters related to the issue, and any notices from government agencies or courts. A short written summary of what has happened and what you hope to achieve can also save time and make the meeting more productive. Bringing this information allows the attorney to focus quickly on the most important facts and provide more tailored guidance during your meeting.

Can Business Disputes Be Resolved Without Going To Court?

Many business disputes are resolved through negotiation, mediation, or other forms of alternative dispute resolution without a judge ever making a decision. These approaches can be faster and less disruptive than a full lawsuit, and they often give the parties more control over the outcome. Whether an out-of-court resolution is realistic will depend on the facts of your situation, the contracts involved, and the willingness of each side to work toward a practical solution.

Discuss your needs with a Minneapolis business lawyer by reaching out online or contacting us at (320) 408-2614 for a consultation.