Corporate Law Attorneys in St. Augustine | Formation, Governance & Outside General Counsel

Formation, Governance, Contracts & Outside General Counsel

Effective corporate governance and legal structure are foundational to a successful business. At St. Johns Law Group, St. Augustine’s largest law firm, our Corporate Law team offers full-spectrum legal support—from business formation and entity structuring to contracts, governance, and ongoing legal guidance through General Counsel services.

We collaborate closely with your team—CPAs, financial advisors, operations leaders—so your legal framework enhances your strategic growth, mitigates risk, and aligns with long-term objectives.

Why Strong Corporate Counsel Matters

• Secure Compliance & Liability Protection
  Proper entity formation and governance limit personal liability for owners and protect business assets.

• Prevent Disputes Before They Happen
  Clear bylaws, operating agreements, and ownership structures reduce the chances of future partner disputes or dissolutions.

• Enable Scalability & Investment
  Well-structured businesses attract investors and position you for future financing or strategic partnerships.

• Support Day-to-Day & Strategic Decisions
  From regulatory compliance to executive employment, robust corporate counsel supports both operations and vision.

Core Corporate Law Services We Provide

1. Business Formation & Structuring

• Entity selection for LLCs, partnerships, C-corps, and S-corps.

• Custom Operating Agreements, Bylaws, and Shareholder Agreements aligned with ownership and management goals.

• Strategic design—such as dual-class shares or phantom equity—for founder control and investor alignment.

2. Governance & Compliance

• Guidance for boards, LLC managers, and executives on fiduciary duties and conflicts of interest.

• Drafting resolutions, minutes, and consent elections.

• Handling corporate compliance, including business licenses, annual filings, and state/local regulations.

3. Core Business Contracts

• Master Service Agreements (MSAs), vendor/supplier and client agreements.

• Sales & Service Contracts, including Statements of Work (SOWs) and auto-renewal terms.

• Employment Agreements, executive compensation, non-compete/non-solicitation, and confidentiality provisions.

• Technology & IP Contracts, such as SaaS licensing, IP assignment, and work-for-hire agreements.

• Integrated support with Commercial Leasing and Real Estate Closings & Title for physical locations.

4. Outside General Counsel (OGC) Services

We offer flexible, subscription-based legal support—perfect for growing businesses needing:

• Monthly legal checkups

• Contracts reviewed or drafted with quick turnaround

• Regular governance or compliance updates

• Business strategy alignment with legal counsel at the ready

5. Business Risk & Dispute Readiness

• Contract audits to identify gaps and liabilities.

• Pre-litigation strategies for partner disputes, breaches, or contract disagreements.

• Litigation support when needed, including shareholder, employment, or contractual disputes—coordinated with our litigation team.

6. Exit Planning & M&A Preparation

We ensure your company is exit-ready through clean governance, standardized contracts, and strong compliance. When ready to sell, you’ll be aligned with our Buy/Sell Team for M&A execution.

Real-World Example: How This Supports Growth

Scenario: A Jacksonville-area tech startup needed to onboard investors while keeping founder control and ensuring governance clarity.

• We structured a series B equity round with founder-friendly terms, including protective provisions.

• Created dual-class stock structures to give founders voting control.

• Drafted investor agreements, NDAs, and strong governance policies.

• Prepped board resolutions and structured compliance systems.
  Outcome: Secured needed funding while preserving long-term vision and operational integrity.

Why Partner with St. Johns Law Group?

• Full-Service Legal Team: Covering corporate law, estate planning, tax strategies, litigation, and real estate—so you’re never left searching for specialists.

• Community-Driven Expertise: We know local regulations, relationships, and market dynamics across Northeast Florida.

• Business-Minded Approach: Our counsel enhances your business—they don’t hinder it.

Areas We Serve

Serving businesses across Northeast Florida:
St. Augustine • St. Augustine Beach • Ponte Vedra • Nocatee • Palm Coast/Flagler • Jacksonville/Duval • Green Cove Springs/Clay • Palatka/Putnam • Fernandina/Nassau.

Schedule Your Corporate Counsel Consultation

Position your business for sustained growth, governance clarity, and strategic compliance.
👉 Contact St. Johns Law Group today for a consultation—in-person, by phone, or virtually.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What entity is best for my business?
Factors include tax structure, scalability, liability concerns, and ownership goals. We’ll guide you to the right choice based on your goals and financial plans.

Can you help with employment agreements?
Absolutely. From executive compensation to confidentiality and non-compete agreements, we protect your staff structure and strategic relationships.

Is outside general counsel affordable?
Yes—offering predictable monthly or project-based pricing, we deliver counsel tailored to your needs, often costing far less than in-house teams.

Key Attorneys

• Ann Miles – Business Entity Formation & Transactions

• James Hatfield, J.D./LL.M. – Tax Structuring & Allocation Strategy

• Felecia Walker – Business Inheritance Disputes

• Douglas Burnett – High-Stakes Commercial Transactions

• Shaun Saliba – Business Contract Disputes