As owner of a business, big or small, franchisee or independent, you need our team of Business Lawyers and Tax Lawyers on your side to help maximize returns from your business. Our Lawyers will build a long-lasting relationship with you so that they can, as needed, help you at every stage of your business life cycle.

Whether you are buying, expanding or simply managing a business, you need our lawyers on your side with expert guidance in a very wide range of business areas including company incorporation, reviewing contracts, franchise operations, settling commercial disputes, and debt collection. Our Business Lawyers will put money in your pocket.

Business Disputes / Corporate and Commercial Litigation

Our Lawyers cut through the legal posturing and get down to finding a prompt and efficient resolution based on the merits of your case. We have experience dealing with:

• Corporate or Business Disputes
• Contract / Agreement Enforcement
• Partner Disagreements
• Dissatisfied Shareholder
• Corporate Director Personal Liability
• Disputes over Commercial Transactions
• Strata Foreclosure
• Other Strata Issues

Come in today to talk about your situation! One of our Lawyers will start the process of evaluating the factual and legal issues of your case and start to develop litigation strategies that will drive your case forward as quickly and as efficiently as possible to achieve your goals.

Whenever possible and when it is in our client's best interests, our Corporate and Commercial Lawyers will push for early settlement or fast-track for Discoveries and Trial.

Debt Collections

Get the debt paid: ask a Deer Lake Law Collections Lawyers about how to put money in your pocket. Our Lawyers have a proven track record in collecting debts, and handling a variety of debt collection matters, such as:

• Breach of Contract
• Promissory notes
• Purchase Money Security Insert Enforcement (PMSI)
• Commercial Collections
• Personal Debts
• Builders Liens (link to Real Estate & Property page)
• NSF cheques and Dishonoured cheques,
• Loan Defaults
• Judgment collection
• Foreign Judgment Enforcement

Come in today to talk about your situation! One of our Lawyers will evaluate your case, let you know the chances of success and let you know our strategy to win your case.

Contracts and Agreements

Deer Lake Law Lawyers work closely with business owners to understand their unique operation. Our Lawyers prepare contracts and agreements that are ideally suited for your needs. We don't use standard documents that won't properly address your specific goals.

We believe that properly drafted and executed Agreements or Contracts are an investment: if a dispute arises or the Agreement is violated, you may spend a great deal more money in legal fees to resolve the situation than you will spend putting into place an effective Contract at the start.

Spend now - avoid much larger costs should something go wrong in the future.

The Business Lawyers at the Deer Lake Law Group can also review contracts prepared by third-parties and given to you to sign. We can suggest revisions and prepare letters to the other party requesting those changes.

Our Lawyers can prepare the following documents:

• Employment Contracts
• Subcontractor Agreement
• Services Agreement
• Shareholders' Agreement
• Inter-company Services Agreement (between a holding company and a trading company)
• Lease agreement

If you would like to a Deer Lake Law Business Lawyer to review a Contract or Agreement that you have been asked to sign, or if you need a contract drafted, please contact us today. 

Tax Dispute Resolution / Canada Revenue Agency Matters

The Canada Revenue Agency relies on a ‘self-report’ system, however; there are times, when the CRA may dispute the information that you have reported to them, either for personal income tax, corporate tax returns, GST (Goods and Services Tax), payroll, or other matters overseen by the CRA. Any of these discrepancies between the self-reported information and CRA’s position will result in a sequence of time-sensitive steps taken by the Canada Revenue Agency in their effort to understand the full financially-accurate situation for you, individually, or for your business (proprietorship or corporation/ numbered company). 

If you have been contacted by the CRA for a review or Audit, or if you have received a Notice of ReAssessment, and you wish to object to the findings, the Tax Lawyers at the Deer Lake Law Group to facilitate your communication with the CRA. 

Our Tax Lawyers can also represent you in appeals to the Tax Court of Canada, appeals to the Federal Court of Appeal and to the Supreme Court of Canada. Tax Dispute Resolution / Canada Revenue Agency Issues

Franchising

The lawyers at the Deer Lake Law Group have first-hand experience in franchising. Our lawyers can guide you through the process of setting up a new franchise (becoming a Franchisor), or investing in an established brand (becoming a Franchisee) - with valuable business advice. 

Come in today to discuss your business goals, as well review the importance of:

• Understanding the realities and challenges of being a Franchisor or Franchisee
• Understanding your Franchise Agreement
• Reviewing Disclosure Documents
• Reviewing Financial Disclosure (including Financing)
• Understanding your Franchise Location (Real Estate) Contract
• Tax Planning and Personal Liability
• Understanding and Accessing Risks

Our Lawyers have experience in franchising, franchise agreements and disclosure documents, and can provide valuable business advice in the area of franchising.

Incorporations / Tax and Liability Planning

There are many advantages to incorporating a business into a legal, share-issuing company. Incorporated companies allow for income to be split among family members, shares to be issued to facilitate investment or to motivate employees. A company may also be used for Estate Planning.

In most cases, Shareholders are not liable for the debts of the company, and there are reduced rates of tax and tax deferral options, however; in some situations, Directors may have personal liability for the debts / liabilities of the corporation.

Few business owners understand the tax laws of Canada and U.S., including their potential tax liability, personal financial risks and ways to avoid a tax audit by CRA and IRS.

Let us help you avoid unpleasant tax consequences, and use your business or company to greater benefit. We have expertise in dealing with:

• Proprietorships
• Partnerships
• Company Incorporations (Numbered Company / Trade Name)
• Society Incorporations
• Not-for-Profit Organizations
• Canadian Trademark applications

Contact us today to discuss which corporate structure best meets your objectives!