COMPLETE BUSINESS AND TAX COUNSEL FOR DC AREA BUSINESSES AND BEYOND
At General Counsel, P.C., our attorneys have extensive experience representing a wide range of local, regional, and national companies and business ventures. We are particularly attuned to the needs of government contractors and emerging growth companies as they engage in a variety of transactions.

Starting a business partnership

The Importance of a Documenting Your Business Co-Ownership Relationship

This post was originally published in May, 2012. We’re re-posting in case you missed it.  Introduction You may have had a conversation with a friend about how you would do well as business partners. Or perhaps an industry contact suggests participating in a startup. Sharing ownership of a business with another person can have significant

Top Ten Issues a Freelance Professional Should Address in a Services Agreement

This post was originally published in May, 2012. We’re re-posting in case you missed it.  Introduction A freelance professional, whether a management consultant, a graphic designer or a bookkeeper, obtains clients by building a relationship with his or her clients based on knowledge and trust. Too often, however, the relationship sours because the parties either
Starting a business in DC

Starting a Business in the Washington Metro Area

This post was originally published in February, 2014. We’re re-posting in case you missed it.  Determining the Appropriate Business Entity–Should I Form an LLC or a Corporation? Every potential business owner and service provider should give serious consideration to forming a business entity when they start a business to limit his/her individual liability for the

General Counsel, P.C. joins IR as the exclusive Employment Law (Corporate) Member in US – Virginia

We are proud to announce that our firm has joined IR Global as the exclusive member for Employment Law in Virginia (corporate). IR Global is the fastest growing professional service firm network in the world; providing legal, accountancy and financial advice to companies and individuals across 155+ jurisdictions. Our founder, Merritt Green, and General Counsel Law

New Year’s Resolutions for Employers

Happy New Year.  A new year is a good time to review and update human resources / employment policies and procedures.  Provided below are eight (8) topics that all employers should review. Review and Plan: Most employers understand that HR problems can derail a business operation.  Accordingly, business owners/managers should conduct a review of 2018

Employment Law Update: Supreme Court Says Arbitration Requirements in Employment Agreements are Enforceable

A recent U.S. Supreme Court case, Epic Systems Corporation v. Lewis upheld employers’ use of class-action waivers in arbitration agreements. No. 16-285, 2018 WL 2292444, at *1 (U.S. May 21, 2018). Based on this ruling, employees that have signed such agreements are no longer able to join together to sue employers and instead must use
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What Should I Consider During a Business Divorce?

Business relationships fail for many different reasons:  business partners may have long-term disagreements, a change in leadership, or simply a desire to go in different directions. Even successful businesses may have to deal with business divorce issues if business partners decide that the benefits of continuing their business relationship are outweighed by the costs accompanying
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Public Policy Exception to At-Will Employment Doctrine in Virginia

In Virginia, employment relationships are presumed to be “at will,” which means that the employment term extends for an indefinite period and may be terminated by either party for any reason, or no reason at all, upon reasonable notice. Virginia courts “have strenuously adhered” to the presumption of at-will employment. See Nguyen v.CNA Corp., 44 F.3d
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Unlawful Retaliation: How to reduce our exposure and protect our employees?

It is imperative for employers to be aware of the law on unlawful retaliation and its implications on their business practices and workplace. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 declares it unlawful for an employer to discriminate against an employee because he/she opposed any unlawful employment practice or made any charge, testified

Personal Liability for Corporate Obligations – How to Avoid Piercing the Corporate Veil

When individuals form business entities, generally they choose entities that allow them to limit their personal liability, leaving only the entities’ assets vulnerable to lawsuits. For corporations and Limited Liability Companies (LLC), the business entities are separate from the corporate officers and shareholders (or LLC members), and these individuals are typically not liable for the