Starting a Business

By
John Kafrouni
12 Nov 2013
5
min read

STARTING A BUSINESS

If you are starting a new business, our team of solicitors would like to help you succeed. Whilst you drive, we can help you navigate common start-up issues such as:

  • leaving you employer: non-compete obligations (restraints on competing with your previous employer or soliciting customers or staff) and dealing with confidential information and trade secrets;
  • structuring the ownership: determining whether a partnership, company, trust or joint venture is best suited to your new business;
  • protecting you assets: how to protect your residence and other assets just in case;
  • formalising the relationship of the founders: defining key terms and responsibilities in partnership or shareholders agreements;
  • raising money: dealing with family and friends, angel investors, venture capital and credit;
  • negotiaing contracts and leases: negotiating agreements and making them work;
  • obtaining licences and permits: obtaining what is necessary for your business and complying with their requirements;
  • employing and contracting workers: putting employment agreements and contractor agreements in place and complying with industrial relations laws;
  • minimising operational liabilities: understanding negligence and trade practices and other laws and what is legally expected of you with respect to your goods or services, risk management;
  • dealing with your customers: establishing your terms and conditions of trade and securing payment;
  • managing suppliers: securing contracts of supply appropriate for your business;
  • exploiting your intellectual property: once you have created it, how to protect it and make the most of it; and
  • marketing appropriately: what you should and shouldn’t say when dealing with the others.

If you are starting a business, call Joe Kafrouni on (07) 3354 8888 to discuss your opportunity and how our law firmcan help.

What People Say

Joe Kafrouni helped me in my acrimonious shareholders dispute, resulting in Supreme Court litigation. During my case, which took years to resolve, I appreciated Joe’s great concern for my well being and that of my family. I felt he was attentive, direct and provided me with sound advice. In the end, Joe skilfully negotiated a settlement that exceeded my expectations and I am grateful.
Thank you, Joe. It was a pleasure working with you to resolve the matter today. In particular, I appreciated your patience to fully understand each party’s position and to bed down a final heads of agreement to conclude the resolution between the parties.
Joe Kafrouni has been our company’s lawyer from the beginning and has been instrumental in our journey as company owners and directors. When dealing with both complex and sensitive company issues, Joe is able to provide us with clearly articulated strategies that are well thought‐out and with the bigger picture in mind. He genuinely cares and is always willing to share his personal views, which are both honest and just. Joe is highly professional and knowledgeable in his field. You will definitely benefit having him on your team.
Joe, I appreciate it was a very long day yesterday but we got there in the end. I thought you did a great job and I enjoyed watching your approach and the way you conducted the mediation.  
Joe, as you know we were in a very difficult position with our company before we engaged you as our lawyer and fortunately, even with the odds stacked heavily against us in our shareholders dispute, you managed to pull us through to victory. You are a true credit to the industry not only because of your skilled negotiating tactics but also due to your personable nature, which made us feel comfortable in such a volatile situation.
The biggest lesson I have learnt from you recently, Joe, is that it pays to have a professional such as yourself on my side to deal with matters that I am unequipped to handle … so I can carry on with the task at hand of building my business! Thanks again, I’ll take pleasure in recommending your services to anyone in need.
A big thank you for your time today, Joe. Thankfully we managed to strike a deal although it took a little while to do. Thanks for your patience and perseverance.

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