KNOXVILLE BUSINESS LAW
Our seasoned contract attorneys are able to help clients interested in any of the following areas of business: starting, buying, selling or merging a business, financing a business, leasing an office, warehouse or retail space, leasing or buying equipment, negotiating a contract or closing a transaction. Our primary focus is to help clients meet their goals and to that end, we will work with your other professional advisors such as your banker, accountant, insurance agent, financial advisor, etc. to ensure that all matters are handled in a manner that best serves your business operations. Our firm also helps clients determine which business entity is the best fit for their goals as well as help them form a competent business.
We have particularly deep insight into real estate transactions and represent the nation’s largest homebuilder. We also own a title company, founded upon the need to fully protect our clients. Our Knoxville Real Estate Attorneys are well-versed in the intricacies of land acqusition, development and leasing.
- Real Estate Law & Transactions
- Contracts & Transactions
- Commercial & Residential Property Developments
- Mergers & Acquisitions
- Business Succession Planning
- LLC & Corporate Formation
KNOXVILLE COMMERCIAL LAW
We help clients ensure that when buying, selling, or merging a business, hiring employees, or entering into confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements or any other transactional matters, that the agreements express the client’s intent and the transactions are closed in accordance with the agreements. Our firm offers complete commercial services such as: business formation, purchase and sale of a business, employment contracts and disputes, financing agreements, vendor and supplier contracts, and real estate matters.
REAL ESTATE LAW
Young, Williams & Ward attorneys specialize in both commercial and residential real estate law. We serve home buyers and sellers; real estate agents and brokers; banks and credit unions; investors; builders and developers; attorneys and others involved in residential or commercial real estate transactions. Our lawyers handle all aspects of residential closings in representing the interests of lenders, buyers or sellers. We handle all aspects of commercial transactions for lenders, purchasers or sellers from contract to closing. Our attorneys also have experience in issues relating to commercial leasing from tenant or landlord representation, creation of commercial lease templates for landlords, modification of lease terms, as well as assignments and sublease agreements. LeConte Title is also located on site to provide title services and title insurance.
GENERAL CIVIL PRACTICE
We understand the considerable burden and costs that litigation can have on clients. We work closely with our clients and formulate individual litigation strategies that are measured and aggressive. When going to trial is not in our clients’ best interests, we assist them in avoiding litigation by reaching favorable settlements through effective negotiations. Our firm has experience in a variety of general civil litigation matters in state and federal courts including breach of contracts, property damage, insurance claims, construction litigation, consumer litigation, products liability, and torts.
WHITE COLLAR CRIMINAL DEFENSE
Young, Williams & Ward represents corporations, boards of directors, management and other individuals in connection with government investigations, enforcement actions, internal investigations, and white collar criminal investigations and litigation. Our attorneys are able to help clients navigate the legal landscape when business conduct results in concurrent criminal, civil, or administrative proceedings that require a coordinated response. Our firm defends corporations, directors, officers and employees against allegations in various business contexts and at every stage of the enforcement process, including federal and state grand jury investigations, trials and appeals. We understand that the best result for the client is to avoid any prosecution, and our experience helps our clients navigate the difficult process of criminal investigations. If clients face criminal charges, we have the trial experience to mount a vigorous defense on their behalf.
CORPORATIONS
Our firm has experience managing business transactions from inception to close. We work with established businesses and professionals, as well as entrepreneurs, when buying or selling a business, real estate, licensing, and partner and shareholder transactions. Our attorneys can meet the demands of entrepreneurs and established organizations. We advise in negotiations and draft all relevant commercial agreements such as leases, service agreements, releases, and waivers. With expertise in the mechanics of contract law and knowledge how to best protect clients’ rights and interests, we are able to obtain our clients’ desired terms and conditions in key business transactions. In addition, our attorneys have experience in setting up limited liability companies (LLCs), corporations, partnerships, and conducting business purchase and sales.
BANKING
Our attorneys understand that disputes can arise at the outset of a loan and work closely with lenders and creditors to identify potential issues with the lending process. Our firm represents banks, finance companies and other creditors who are involved in banking and lending disputes. We also represent lenders and creditors who face disputes with borrowers and other debtors over a range of issues including the terms of a loan, borrowers that fail to make payments, security for a loan, debtors who file for bankruptcy, as well as liens and lien foreclosure actions.
PARTNERSHIPS
For a partnership to run smoothly, a strong agreement must be made before the partnership is formed. Our attorneys can help you establish the intention of a partnership agreement in a manner that does not threaten the welfare of a company and help settle a dispute. Many partnership disputes require litigation to sort out the matter. Our attorneys can help establish exactly what the terms of your agreement are and what they mean. Our firm can also fight for enforcement and recover damages in the case of a breach of contract.
ESTATE PLANNING & PROBATE
Through proper estate planning, clients can clearly articulate their wishes for what happens to their property after they are gone. We can help make arrangements to ensure that your friends and family know exactly the steps to take upon your death. Our attorneys know the intricacies of setting up wills, including the best ways to reduce taxes and efficiently transfer ownership of property and assets through the creation of trusts. We can also help your family navigate the often-difficult probate process.
TAXATION
Our attorneys work closely with clients, accountants, and investment advisors to develop and implement solutions for complex mergers and acquisitions, international transactions, private equity formations, joint ventures, bankruptcies and restructurings, public and private financings (including equipment leasing and project finance) and real estate transactions.
SECURITIES
We represent private companies in raising capital by private placement of debt and equity securities, or in connection with mergers and acquisitions. This includes representing clients with respect to offering stocks, mutual funds, bonds, and utilizing other financial instruments.
INTERNATIONAL LAW
Our firm has a strong grasp of industry practices and our experience with transactions involving companies in other countries enables us to complete projects successfully and resolve disputes in other markets. In addition to the technological challenges of an international practice, the group is aware of the risks associated with international business and can help clients plan for effective practices that will best suit their needs.
NATURAL RESOURCES
Energy and natural resources clients face complex challenges involving multiple legal disciplines from construction and transportation to finance and operations issues. Our attorneys have experience in domestic energy matters and an understanding of the local regulatory, commercial and legal issues affecting companies. As a result, our firm can assist clients in operating their businesses in one of the most heavily regulated industries in the world.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
In today’s global marketplace, reputations and new product innovations are some of the most critical components of a company’s assets. Our attorneys help companies identify strategies to protect their investments in inventions and technology, and when necessary, help enforce rights in these properties. Our lawyers can assist clients with many aspects of intellectual property law including trademarks, service marks, copyrights, trade secrets, licensing, and protective agreements.
INSURANCE
Our attorneys represent and advise policyholders through the complexities of insurance coverage and insurance coverage disputes. Our firm has developed experience in a wide array of insurance coverage and policy matters including commercial general liability, director and officer liability, property and casualty, fidelity bond, errors and omissions, homeowners insurance, and life insurance.
CREDITOR’S RIGHTS
Our attorneys represent the rights of creditors through State and bankruptcy law enforcement as well as assist creditors in maximizing potential debt recovery. Debt recovery actions can include demands, investigation, evaluation of assets available for collection, reformation actions, and title insurance claims. Our attorneys can also help with foreclosures, collection of judgments, personal property liens, and collection of accounts.
BANKRUPTCY
Our attorneys work with a wide array of clients on matters including business bankruptcy, insolvency issues, commercial litigation, enforcement actions, and financial restructuring. They also represent clients in non-bankruptcy workouts and loan restructurings. Our attorneys have experience representing purchasers of assets from distressed entities in connection with reorganization, restructuring, liquidation cases and business lawsuits.
COMMERCIAL FINANCE
Young, Williams & Ward provides commercial finance support to borrowers and lenders in a variety of transaction types including acquisition financing, asset-based lending, and real estate loans and project financing (whether secured or unsecured). This support also covers different collateral types from accounts, equipment, and inventory to real estate and special property. Our clients include banks and non-institutional lenders.
ENVIRONMENTAL
The expanding framework of international, federal, state and local environmental law has become increasingly complex, and businesses are hard pressed to meet the ever-changing demands of legislators, regulators and industry. We work closely with clients to ensure that environmental issues relating to mergers, acquisitions, real estate purchases and leases, and other key transactions are addressed with the client’s overall business objectives in mind.
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW
Our attorneys represent municipalities, corporations, businesses and licensed professionals with administrative legal matters. Our firm assists businesses in navigating city, county, state and federal rules, regulations, applications, licenses, permits and appeals, as well as to provide legal counsel to help make informed business decisions. Our firm also represents municipalities in administrative proceedings adjudicating code violations.
CYBER SECURITY
Our attorneys represent clients in private actions for violations of federal and state wiretapping, computer fraud, invasions of privacy, and identity theft. Our work includes advice on best practices for securing personal data, developing cybersecurity defense postures in response to infiltration and potential threats, and staying abreast of evolving security tools, techniques, and laws.
