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Meet some of our Boston Small Business Lawyers
Patrick N.
Before attending law school, I had a prior career in business performance reporting. This experience differentiates me from other attorneys. I can readily read, interpret, and synthesize financial reporting. I also have a passion for legal research and writing.
Nicholas M.
Nicholas Matlach is a cybersecurity expert (CISSP) and an attorney who is dedicated to helping small businesses succeed. He is a client-focused professional who has a deep understanding of the challenges that small businesses face in the digital age. He also provides legal counsel to small businesses on a variety of issues, including formation, intellectual property, contracts, and employment law.
Paul M.
Transactional attorney and corporate in house counsel for 15 years. Draft all types of contracts and employment agreements.
Karl D. S.
Karl D. Shehu, has a multidisciplinary practice encompassing small business law, estate and legacy planning, real estate law, and litigation. Attorney Shehu has assisted families, physicians, professionals, and people of faith provide for their loved ones by crafting individualized estate and legacy plans. Protecting families and safeguarding families is his passion. Attorney Shehu routinely represents lenders, buyers, sellers, and businesses in real estate transactions, researching and resolving title defects, escrowing funds, and drafting lending documents. To date, Attorney Shehu has closed a real estate deal in every town in Connecticut. As a litigator, Attorney Shehu has proven willing to engage in contentious court battles to obtain results for his clients. While practicing at DLA Piper, LLP, in Boston, Attorney Shehu represented the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies in multidistrict litigations filed throughout the United States. He has been a passionate advocate for immigrants and the seriously injured, frequently advising against lowball settlement offers. He is willing to try every case to verdict, and he meticulously prepares every case for trial. Attorney Shehu began his legal career as a consumer lawyer, utilizing fee-shifting statutes to force unscrupulous businesses to pay the legal fees of aggrieved consumers. For example, in Access Therapies v. Mendoza, 1:13-cv-01317 (S.D. Ind. 2014), Attorney Shehu utilized unique interpretations of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, Truth-in-Lending Act, and Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) to obtain a favorable result for his immigrant client. Attorney Shehu is a Waterbury, Connecticut native. He attended Our Lady of Mount Carmel grammar school, The Loomis Chaffee School, and Chase Collegiate School before earning degrees from Boston College, the University of Oxford’s Said Business School in England, and Pepperdine University School of Law. At Oxford, Karl was voted president of his class. Outside of his law practice, Attorney Shehu has worked to improve the world around him by participating in numerous charitable endeavors. He is a former candidate for the Connecticut Senate and a parishioner of St. Patrick Parish and Oratory in Waterbury. In addition, Attorney Shehu has written extensively on the Twenty-fifth Amendment and law firm retention by multinational firms.
January 23, 2023
Joseph M.
Joe provides premium legal services to both individuals and businesses throughout the Commonwealth. Experience litigating civil and criminal matters, as well as drafting/negotiation transactional issues involving contracts, real estate, business formation, estate planning and more. Prior to entering private law practice, Joe worked for two decades in financial industry including regulatory and compliance for both national and regional banks and investment firms.
May 23, 2023
Barbara M.
In 1991, Barbara Markessinis graduated cum laude from Albany Law School in Albany, New York. Shortly thereafter, Barbara was admitted to practice in New York State and in the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York. In 1997, Barbara was admitted to practice in Massachusetts and in April of 2009 she was admitted to the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts. After graduating from law school, Barbara worked in private practice in the Albany, New York area and for Sneeringer, Monahan, Provost & Redgrave Title Agency, Inc. before joining the New York State Division for Youth and the New York State Attorney General's Real Property Bureau as a Senior Attorney. During her tenure with the Division for Youth, Attorney Markessinis found herself in Manhattan Family Court in front of Judge Judy! A career highlight for sure! After admission to the Massachusetts Bar, Barbara returned to private practice in the Berkshires and eventually started her own firm in June of 2006. Attorney Markessinis offers legal services in elder law, estate planning and administration/probate, family law, limited assistance representation (LAR), real estate and landlord tenant disputes. In 2016, after a family member found themselves in need of long term care, Attorney Markessinis’ launched her elder law practice. Through this experience, Attorney Markessinis discovered that the process of selecting a long term care facility and/or caregiver, applying for MassHealth and preserving an applicant’s assets are serious issues faced by many people every day. This area of the law is Barbara’s passion and she offers her legal services to families who find themselves in need of an elder law attorney. Attorney Markessinis is part of the Volunteer Legal Clinic in the Berkshire Probate & Family Court and has provided limited free legal services to patients and families at Moments House cancer support center in Pittsfield. She currently serves as a Hearing Committee Member for the MA Board of Bar Overseers and is a member of the Berkshire County and Massachusetts Bar Associations, Berkshire County Estate Planning Council (BCEPC). Attorney Markessinis is also the host of WUPE Talks Law. She also serves on the Town of Hancock Zoning Board of Appeals and Planning Board.
July 27, 2023
Paul P.
With more than twenty years of experience, Attorney Paul Petrillo has written contracts, business agreements, wills, trusts and the like. Licensed in both New Hampshire and Massachusetts, Attorney Petrillo is regular user of remote and virtual communications and document exchanges, such as DocuSign, Adobe e-sign, as well as virtual meetings using Zoom and Webex, to make drafting contracts and communicating with clients quick and easy.
August 30, 2023
Massa M.
Highly disciplined attorney with over seven years administrative litigation experience. Capable of analyzing complex research, data, and documentation to prepare and represent individuals in sensitive cases. Recognized as a leader with the ability to perform work both autonomously and collaboratively as a member of a diverse legal team. Great problem-solving skills, strong multitasking capabilities and works well under strict deadlines. A professional with a sense of humor, strong work ethic and ability to build trust across all levels.
September 14, 2023
Rachel B.
I am a new attorney who is licensed to practice in Connecticut and Massachusetts. I am waiting for bar admission to North Carolina. I have over 20 year of experience working in both the public and private sectors. I am a fierce advocate for my clients and am committed to delivering solutions for clients with excellence.
October 1, 2023
Brittany B.
I am a tax attorney with years of experience as in house counsel at an accounting firm. I have also done tax litigation and audit representation. I work with for profits and non profits.
October 19, 2023
Drew M.
Drew Melville is a Florida and Massachusetts-licensed attorney with fourteen years' experience in real estate transactions, title insurance and land use. His practice includes all aspects of commercial real estate acquisitions, dispositions, financing, joint venture formation, leasing and land use approvals. Mr. Melville is a title agent for Old Republic National Title Insurance Company, First American Title Insurance Company, and Stewart Title Guaranty Company. Mr. Melville's practice is national in scope, and he brings a creative and solution-oriented approach to his clients' diverse array of real estate investment and development activities in all real estate asset classes. These often include urban infill, adaptive reuse, affordable and workforce housing, historic preservation, sustainable building, brownfield or gray-field redevelopment and opportunity zones. Prior to starting his own firm, he was an in house counsel for the real estate development subsidiary of a large, diversified land and agribusiness company. To date, Mr. Melville has closed over $1.2 billion in commercial real estate transactions.
October 20, 2023
Corey H.
Veritas Global Law, PLLC ("Veritas") is a law firm specializing in Life Sciences, Private Equity, M&A, technology transactions and general corporate law. Veritas frequently represents clients seeking cost a cost efficient, on-demand, general counsel in a variety of general corporate law matters, and a range of contracts including NDAs, MSAs, Software as a Service (Saas) agreements. Veritas also represents U.S. and non-U.S. private investment fund GPs and LPs across a broad range of activities with a particular emphasis on private equity, venture capital, secondary funds, distressed funds and funds of funds. Mr. Harris received his LL.M. from the University of California, Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law and served as an articles editor of the Berkeley Business Law Journal and was an active member of the Berkeley Center for Law Business and the Economy. Additionally, Mr. Harris also holds a J.D. from Boston College Law School, a M.B.A. from the Boston College Carroll School of Management, a B.A. from Hampton University in Political Science with a minor in Economics and Spanish and a certificate in financial valuation from the University of Oxford, Saïd Business School.
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Browse Lawyers NowSmall Business Legal Questions and Answers
Small Business
Commercial Lease
North Carolina
What's the repair responsibility in a commercial lease?
I am a small business owner in the process of signing a commercial lease for a retail space. I am trying to understand my responsibilities as the tenant regarding repairs and maintenance of the property. I want to make sure I understand what my repair responsibility is in the lease before signing it.
N'kia N.
In a North Carolina commercial lease agreement, it is common for the landlord to be responsible for major maintenance and repairs (including structural issues) and the tenant to be responsible for minor maintenance and repairs (including general wear and tear). However, the landlord and the tenant may agree to alternative arrangements in the written lease. The best way to more fully understand your specific maintenance and repair responsibilities under a specific lease agreement is to have an attorney review the agreement and discuss it with you. Good luck!
Small Business
C Corp
North Carolina
C corp vs. S corp: Which is better?
I am currently starting a new business and am trying to decide which corporate structure is best for my particular situation. I have heard that C corps and S corps have different advantages and disadvantages, so I am looking to get legal advice as to which would be more beneficial for me. I understand that there are many factors to consider, such as taxation, liability, and potential for growth, so I am hoping to get a better understanding of the pros and cons of each structure and which would be the most suitable for my needs.
Nicholas M.
It would be impossible to give you a primer on all of the advantages and disadvantages, but here is a headnote version: C-Corp Pros: Ultimate flexibility with regards to ownership, control, power, etc through the issuance of one or more classes of shares. Cons: Double taxed. You will be taxes as a corporation and as an individual taking a salary from the corporation. S-Corp (this is just a C-Corp electing to be taxed under subchapter S of the IRS code): Pros: Tax advantage for owners (up to 100 people) from not double taxing. Cons: Less flexibility than C-Corp but more granular control than LLC. Depending on the situation, most companies starting out are better off starting an LLC, which has less formalities, and then converting to a S-Corp or C-Corp once they scale and can take advantage. C-Corp, S-Corp, and LLC all have the same level of liability protection if you follow the formalities for formation and maintenance. C-Corps have the most rigor and LLCs have the least. You can also consider LLP and other business structures based on co-owners or other factors that a lawyer can help you evaluate.
Small Business
Shareholders Agreement
Florida
Shareholders agreement and dividend policies?
I am a shareholder in a small business and am looking to understand the implications of a shareholders agreement and dividend policies on my ownership rights. I am considering entering into a shareholders agreement but want to ensure that I understand how dividends will be paid out and what rights I will have to receive my share of profits.
Daniel D.
The shareholder agreement should specify your ownership rights and the policy on dividends. Or, the LLC Operating Agreement or Corporate By Laws could state when, to who and how frequent dividends are given out. Without seeing the shareholder agreement it is difficult to say what your rights will be and how the dividends will be paid out as each small business is unique.
Small Business
Business Entity
Illinois
I have an LLC for rental investment. Can i use the LLC to do independent corp to corp work.
Currently employed, with investment property under LLC. Would like to do independent contract work.
T. Phillip B.
The question isn't whether you can do it, but is whether you SHOULD do it. You definitely would be able to do other work within the LLC. However, in doing so, now you active work and passive income are getting combined which would likely subject your passive income to the 15.3% self employment tax. Let me know if you have any questions on how to structure the businesses.
Small Business
Liability Waiver
North Carolina
Does every participant need a liability waiver?
I am a small business owner who is planning to hold an event for a group of participants. I am looking to ensure that everyone involved is properly protected in the event of any accidents or injuries. In order to do this, I am considering having participants sign a liability waiver. I want to make sure that I have the right legal protection in place and would like to know if every participant needs to sign a liability waiver.
Shelia H.
Yes. If you are having an event, every participant needs a liability waiver. This is especially important if the event includes activities that may result in someone getting hurt. Additionally, it provides you with an opportunity to disclose the possible hazards and an opportunity for the participant to make an informed decision regarding whether to attend and participate. Finally, even if you have a waiver, you will also want to supplement the waiver with insurance that will cover your event.
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