Startup & Small Business Law

Scottsdale Startup Law

Serving Clients Throughout Arizona and New Jersey

Starting a new business from the ground up involves more than just developing innovative ideas and growing something from the ground up—it also involves navigating a complex web of business formation laws. While starting is one thing, continuing to operate also requires you to continue to work with even more tangled webs of laws, regulations, and legal requirements, especially when doing things like dividing ownership, offering stock options, or seeking funding from private investment.

Building a business that is compliant with all relevant laws and regulations can be a difficult and tangled web to navigate, and that’s why having an experienced business law firm on your side can make the process more efficient and ultimately less risky. Our team at Ambrosio & Tomczak, Attorneys at Law is here to help you handle all of the legal aspects of your startup so that you can concentrate on the actual tasks at hand. No matter what industry or business sector your startup serves, our counsel can help you create a strong business plan and potentially even mitigate losses or avoid exposure to liability.

Secure Your Business Legally! Get help with contracts, compliance, and startup law. Contact us today at (602) 207-8672 for a consultation!

Hire an Attorney to Help You Start Your Business in the Phoenix Area

No matter your age or experience, starting a business is an exciting time. As businesses grow and become involved in larger and more complex deals, agreements, and arrangements, managing them can also be stressful. However, with the right team on your side, you can focus on what really matters—your startup’s growth. Our office can help you to define a realistic roadmap to get through whatever challenges you are facing.

Our team is prepared to help you with all types of startup services, including:

Business plan development
Federal and state law compliance
Securities disclosure and compliance documentation
Internal operating document drafting
Incorporation
Partnership and shareholder agreements
Employment agreements
Employment termination counsel
Non-compete agreements and clause drafting
Non-disclosure agreements and custom NDA clause drafting
Mergers and acquisitions
Licensing agreement drafting
LLC share agreements
Trademark and copyright matters

Business Entity Selection

Choosing the right legal structure for your business is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. It impacts your taxes, liability, and ability to raise funds. Common business structures include:

LLC (Limited Liability Company) – Offers liability protection while allowing flexible tax treatment. Ideal for small businesses and startups.
S-Corp (S Corporation) – Passes income and losses through to shareholders, avoiding double taxation, but has strict eligibility requirements.
C-Corp (C Corporation) – Preferred by investors and venture capitalists. Offers strong liability protection but is subject to double taxation.
Sole Proprietorship – The simplest structure but offers no liability protection, meaning personal assets are at risk.

When choosing a business entity, consider tax implications, liability protection, ownership flexibility, and long-term growth plans. An attorney can help you determine which structure best fits your business needs.

Fundraising & Investment Compliance

Securing funding is critical for startups, but it must be done in compliance with federal and state laws. Key funding options include:

Private Equity & Venture Capital – Attracting investors can fuel growth, but startups must follow SEC rules and provide proper disclosures.
Crowdfunding – Platforms like Kickstarter and equity crowdfunding allow businesses to raise funds from the public, but they come with strict SEC regulations.
Convertible Notes & SAFE Agreements – These are popular early-stage funding tools that allow investors to convert their investment into equity in the future.

Startups must ensure they comply with securities laws, investor agreements, and financial reporting requirements to avoid legal issues down the road.

Intellectual Property Protection

Protecting your business’s intellectual property (IP) is essential to maintaining a competitive edge. Common types of IP protection include:

Trademarks – Registering your brand name, logo, or slogan prevents others from using similar branding.
Patents – Protects inventions, new products, or unique business methods from being copied.
Copyrights – Safeguards original creative works, including content, software, and designs.

A strong IP strategy ensures your business retains control over its innovations and branding, preventing costly legal disputes.

Your Partner in Growth

Solutions Tailored to Your Business

Personalized Legal Strategies

We focus on creating strategies tailored to your specific goals, offering dedicated service that adapts to your unique needs.
Former Prosecutor Experience

Greg Tomczak brings a prosecutor’s insight and tenacity to every case, using his knowledge of government tactics to your advantage.
Preparing Every Case for Trial

We approach every case as though it’s headed for trial, ensuring a strong position for negotiation or courtroom proceedings.
Complex & High Profile Cases

Our team handles intricate legal matters with precision and determination, whether managing disputes, investigations, or litigation.

Regulatory Compliance Matters

Laws can be confusing and almost impossible to keep up with, especially considering they can come from your local municipality as well as Maricopa County, the State of Arizona, and even the United States Federal Government and many of its regulatory bodies. As a new business, it is your responsibility to be sure that your startup is in full compliance with all regulatory laws, so it’s crucial to have counsel on your side that can help with this seemingly endless puzzle.

Ambrosio & Tomczak can assist you with all manner of regulatory compliance requirements, including:

Employment law practices
Environmental protection laws
OSHA regulations
Taxation laws
Immigration law applications
Financial laws
State-level business compliance requirements include:
Employment eligibility verification
State UI contributions
Regulated or licensed activities
Payroll taxes and reporting

Starting a Business? We Can Help! From formation to investor agreements, we’ve got you covered. Contact us now at (602) 207-8672 to get started!

FAQs About Startup & Business Law

What legal steps should I take before launching my startup?

Before launching, register your business, choose the right legal structure (LLC, S-Corp, etc.), draft key contracts, protect your intellectual property, and ensure compliance with state and federal regulations. Consulting an attorney can help you avoid costly mistakes.

Do I need a lawyer to raise money for my startup?

Yes, fundraising involves complex legal considerations, including investor agreements, SEC compliance, and tax implications. A lawyer ensures you follow the proper legal framework and protect your business interests.

How can I protect my business idea from being stolen?

You can protect your ideas with non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), trademarks for branding, patents for inventions, and copyrights for creative work. A business attorney can help you determine the best protection strategy.

What contracts does my startup need?

Essential contracts include partnership agreements, client and vendor contracts, employment agreements, NDAs, and terms of service if you operate online. Having well-drafted contracts helps prevent disputes and protects your business.

How can I minimize legal risks when hiring employees?

Ensure compliance with labor laws, use clear employment contracts, establish workplace policies, and follow proper procedures for hiring and termination. Employment law violations can result in costly lawsuits.

What happens if I don’t register my business?

Operating without registration can lead to fines, tax penalties, and personal liability for business debts. Registering your business protects your assets and gives your company legal credibility. If you're considering selling a business or high-value asset, deferred sales trusts can help defer capital gains taxes while keeping your financial plans flexible.

When should I consider transitioning from an LLC to a Corporation?

If you plan to raise significant investment capital, issue stock, or scale your business rapidly, converting to a C-Corp may be beneficial. A lawyer can help you determine the right timing and legal steps.

Outside General Counsel for Startups

Our attorneys make it their goal to help you determine all of the federal-level and state-level guidelines you are required to follow to remain in compliance. When the phrase “I didn’t know what to do” is not accepted as an excuse, not having counsel on your side shouldn’t be considered an option. However, for many smaller businesses, hiring an attorney to work on staff full-time isn’t an affordable investment.

At Ambrosio & Tomczak, we offer the next best thing with our outside general counsel services. As outside general counsel for your business, we can provide you with the same dependable and knowledgeable guidance and counsel you need for your legal matters without the costly investment of hiring an attorney full time. We’re here when you need us.

For more details on what we can do for your start-up, don’t hesitate to contact us!

Where Big Firm Power Meets Personal Service

When Winning Matters, Ambrosio & Tomczak Delivers

Have questions? Ready to get started? A member of our team will be in touch shortly to confirm your contact details or address questions you may have.

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