Businesses often require legal financial advice. From small startups to large corporations, financial planning underlies many transactions.

We listen to our clients, understanding their financial priorities to offer tailored legal advice. Our experts cover various financial matters, such as:

-Mergers and acquisitions

-Business sales

-Asset-based financing

-Leasing transactions

-Secured deals

-Bankruptcy concerns

-Construction and commercial litigation

Resolving Legal Disputes: Your Priorities, Our Approach

At Lyden, Chappell & Dewhirst, Ltd, you come first. Before starting any resolution process, we discuss your goals. This way, we create a strategy that aligns speed, cost, and outcomes with your objectives. We recognize litigation's costs—financially, commercially, and emotionally. Our goal is to achieve negotiated settlements whenever feasible. These resolutions often preserve relationships and minimize profit impacts.

Our areas of expertise include:

• Business disputes

• Contract disputes

• Real estate litigation

• Employment law disputes

• Partnership disputes

• Complex litigation

• Construction litigation

• Commercial litigation

There are some disputes that cannot be solved through negotiation. In these cases, our adept attorneys offer strong litigation assistance.

Our team's grasp of intricate legal principles allows them to construct compelling cases, presenting clients' stances clearly to judges or juries. Even post-filing, our team strives for negotiated settlements, sparing clients undue costs and stress.

Should a trial be necessary, our litigators possess the conviction and courtroom acumen to advocate effectively. Clients can trust in our skilled representation.

Navigating Complex Commercial Negotiations

Successful business deals often hinge on negotiations between parties with differing interests. Each party aims for the best outcome while maintaining a working relationship. This might involve strategic compromises for long-term benefits.

We guide businesses in crafting effective negotiation strategies. As transactions vary widely, there's no universal approach. We collaborate with clients to identify their unique priorities. This shapes a customized strategy for optimal outcomes. Whether dealing with suppliers, customers, consultants, regulators, employees, or the public, we're here to devise and execute the right strategy.

The types of commercial transactions that we regularly support include:

• Franchise and licensing agreements

• Protection of intellectual property and transfer of technology

• Outsourcing

• IT, computing and Internet agreements

• Acquisition and disposal of assets, divisions or entire businesses

Where matters cannot be successfully negotiated, we have substantial experience in raising commercial litigation to secure our clients' interests.

From small entrepreneurial start-ups to global corporations. The attorneys at Lyden, Chappell & Dewhirst, Ltd. are highly experienced at advising and representing the full spectrum of business entities.

We have a first-class reputation for representing businesses across a diverse range of sectors, including:

• Technology companies

• Manufacturers

• Retailers and distributors

• Banks and financial institutions

• Service companies

• Healthcare organizations

• Nonprofit organizations

Supporting New Businesses:

For new businesses, choices abound—legal structure, governance, funding. Drawing from extensive experience, we offer precise legal counsel to startups.

Legal Support Throughout the Business Life Cycle:

At various stages of their growth and development, businesses may need to acquire new assets or entities. Alternatively, they may need to divest themselves of divisions or assets due to changing priorities or plans. Our attorneys provide legal advice and support to businesses at every stage of their life cycle. We can assist business owners and managers in negotiating the full range of business agreements, including:

• Acquisition agreements

• Manufacturing agreements

• Sales and distribution arrangements

• Licensing agreements

Employment laws, both state and federal, can be complex. These statutes place restrictions on the way in which employers can hire, treat, and terminate employees. If an employer gets it wrong, there can be severe financial penalties and potential reputational damage.

The legal framework shields workers from discrimination, wrongful termination, and retaliation. Violations open legal avenues.

Our employment law experts aid employers and employees alike. Their dual perspective anticipates disputes. Understanding clients' positions, they negotiate effectively.

Amid conflicts, our team fights relentlessly. We handle diverse employment issues, including:

• Workplace discrimination

• Wrongful discharge

• Sexual harassment

• Medical leave issues

• Unpaid overtime and other wage issues

• Unlawful retaliation

• Whistleblower claims

• Covenants not to compete

• Unemployment benefit claims

• Severance package negotiations

• Employment contract disputes

• Compliance advice for employers

Contact us if you have been unfairly treated by your employer or have received a complaint of unfair treatment from an employee. We will discuss the options open to you to pursue or defend a claim.

When issues arise in personal or family relationships, clients need high-quality, practical advice delivered in a compassionate manner. It is important for clients to know that someone has their best interests at heart at a time when they may feel extremely vulnerable.

We understand how difficult it is to embark on negotiations and litigation involving highly personal matters. We can support you in a wide range of family law matters, including:

• Divorce

• Child custody and parenting time

• Paternity

• Adoption

• Child support

• Modifications

• Prenuptial agreements

We offer a team of skilled and experienced divorce attorneys. Our attorneys include two Fellows of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, two Certified Family Law Specialists*, and two Registered Family Law Mediators*.

Estate planning can ensure that client's wishes are followed should they pass away or become incapacitated. Without a legally binding arrangement, there is the risk that clients' assets can be passed to inappropriate heirs. We approach estate planning with sensitivity and compassion. We understand that it can be difficult to plan for the distribution of assets on death or incapacity. Our clients can be confident that these important matters will be dealt with in the strictest confidence.

We can assist clients in preparing:

• Wills

• Trust Agreements

• Living Wills

• Powers-of-Attorney

Tax Planning

The way in which clients manage and distribute their assets can have a significant impact on the tax that needs to be paid. Our estate planning specialists can provide advice and guidance on minimizing tax liabilities that can arise from estate, gift, income and generation-skipping transfer taxes.

Trusts and Private Foundations

For clients whose tax liability may otherwise be significant, we can assist with the setting up and running of charitable remainder trusts and private foundations.

Administration of Probate Estates

Our attorneys have significant experience of administering probate estates. Our aim is always to provide efficient and effective administration that distributes assets to beneficiaries without delay. We can support individuals and companies who have been named as trustees, executors and guardians.

Purchasing, leasing or selling real estate can be extremely complex. There are regulatory and statutory considerations that must be taken into account, particularly if the land is to be commercially developed. Our real estate attorneys are experts in their field throughout northwestern Ohio and southeastern Michigan. They have many years of experience assisting clients with:

• Acquisition of property

• Financing

• Development of commercial and residential sites

• Securing governmental approvals Leasing

• Sale or disposal of real estate

Residential Real Estate

We understand that a home may be the most valuable asset that many people own. However, a home's value is more than financial. When you are buying or selling residential real estate, you can trust Lyden, Chappell & Dewhirst, Ltd to provide a high-quality service from start to finish.

Industrial and Commercial Real Estate

Industrial and commercial real estate projects can be exceptionally complex. They may have sophisticated finance and ownership arrangements. They may require governmental approvals or licenses. Our real estate attorneys have the expertise necessary to guide and assist clients with major industrial and commercial real estate transactions.