At Downey & Associates, PC, we are entrepreneurs at heart. Our Denver business lawyers understand the challenges that business owners face in starting, running and growing successful businesses, and we take great pride in walking beside them and helping them tackle those challenges.
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Our clients include small Denver-area businesses, large multinationals requiring local counsel, NYSE-traded companies, international banks, financial institutions, and insurance carriers. We help them resolve a wide range of business and commercial law matters.
If you own a business in Colorado, or if your out-of-state company does business in Colorado, contact us to learn more about how our Denver business lawyers can help.
You Have Questions. We Have Answers.
As a business owner, you might feel isolated. You are in charge, but who do you turn to when you have questions about how and where you should be leading your company? With more than 35 years of experience, we have had our hands in thousands of business transactions. Coupled with our legal know-how, that experience gives our firm a great vantage point from which to offer other business owners sound advice.
Our lawyers offer counsel to business owners in many areas, including:
- Selecting an appropriate business entity: sole proprietorship, limited liability company (PC), S-corp, C-corp, limited partnership or another option
- Drafting and reviewing contracts, leases, business plans, financing documents and employee handbooks
- Recovering from business deals and business partnerships that have gone bad, including partnership dissolution
- Conducting the acquisition or sale of a business or assets
- Managing risks through buy-sell agreements, trade secret and non-compete contracts and other asset protection strategies
- Addressing employment concerns including discrimination and wrongful termination charges
- Litigating or negotiating disputes as required
- Complying with government mandates including OSHA and MSHA regulations
All of our work is based on a central goal of finding the most cost-effective resolutions. For example, despite maintaining a vibrant and active litigation practice, we do not encourage clients to litigate unless other avenues of potential resolution have failed. We can often resolve disputes more quickly and inexpensively through mediation and arbitration.
Contact Us
Call us at 303-813-1111 or contact us online to discuss an issue related to business formation, business transactions or any other commercial law matter. We are available for free initial consultations for those who qualify. We make evening appointments and can accept credit cards.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Services Does a Denver Business Lawyer Provide to Local Companies?
As a Denver business attorney, we offer comprehensive legal services to support Denver-area businesses. Our expertise spans from assisting small local companies to large multinationals and NYSE-traded companies in various business and commercial law matters. Whether it's business formation, transactional advice, or dispute resolution, our team is dedicated to guiding Colorado entrepreneurs through the legal complexities of running a successful business.
How Can a Denver Business Attorney Assist in Business Formation in Colorado?
Initiating a business in Colorado involves intricate legal procedures, which is where a Denver business lawyer plays a crucial role. Our services include advising on the selection of appropriate business entities, drafting contracts, and ensuring compliance with state regulations. We help entrepreneurs in Colorado navigate the legal aspects of business formation, ensuring a strong foundation for their ventures.
Why Choose a Colorado Business Attorney for Contractual Matters?
Contractual agreements are pivotal in any business operation. As experienced Denver business attorneys, we specialize in drafting and reviewing contracts to safeguard your business interests. Our legal expertise ensures that your contracts are compliant with Colorado laws and effectively manage risks, providing a secure framework for your business dealings.
Can a Business Attorney in Colorado Help Resolve Commercial Disputes?
Yes, resolving commercial disputes efficiently is crucial for business continuity. As seasoned Denver business lawyers, we have a deep understanding of Colorado's commercial law. Our approach involves strategic negotiation and, when necessary, litigation, to protect your interests and achieve favorable outcomes in disputes.
When must an out-of-state company register to do business in Colorado, and how is that done?
A foreign entity generally needs authority if it is transacting business in Colorado within the meaning of the Corporations and Associations Act. Qualification is obtained by filing a Statement of Foreign Entity Authority with the Colorado Secretary of State. If the true name is unavailable, the entity must choose an assumed name that complies with naming rules. The filing requires details like the jurisdiction of formation and a registered agent in Colorado. Certain activities may be exempt from constituting transacting business, so a legal review is prudent. See the Secretary of State’s foreign entity FAQs and C.R.S. 7-90-803.
What ongoing filings keep my Colorado company in good standing after formation or qualification?
Most Colorado entities must file a Periodic Report each year with the Secretary of State to maintain good standing. Due dates and status are shown in the public record, and filers are responsible even if reminder emails are missed. Online filings are processed in real time, and status updates and copies are available immediately after payment. If an entity becomes noncompliant, filing the appropriate curing or reinstatement document typically restores good standing right away. Businesses should calendar their report month and maintain a valid registered agent to avoid delinquency. See the Secretary of State resources on Periodic Reports and e-filing.
When should my business file a UCC-1 financing statement in Colorado, and where is it filed?
A UCC-1 is filed to perfect a security interest in most personal property collateral so that priority is established against other creditors. In Colorado, UCC records are filed centrally with the Secretary of State rather than at county level for most transactions. Lenders and borrowers can search existing filings, file financing statements, and amend records online. Filing office rules explain accepted formats, electronic filing methods, and search logic. Businesses involved in asset-based lending or equipment financing should confirm whether additional federal or specialized filings apply. See the Colorado SOS UCC portal and the UCC filing office rules.
Looking for Expert Legal Guidance for Your Business in Colorado?
Navigating the legal landscape of business and commercial law in Colorado can be challenging. If you're seeking expert legal advice or have any questions about how we can assist your business, don't hesitate to reach out to us. We offer free initial consultations for qualifying cases and are committed to supporting your business's legal needs.
Additional Information in Denver, Colorado
- Colorado Secretary of State - Business Resources: This official resource provides essential information on business registration, compliance, and regulation in Colorado, crucial for business owners and entrepreneurs.
- Colorado Small Business Development Center Network: The network offers invaluable guidance and support to small businesses in Colorado, including workshops, planning tools, and financial advice.
- U.S. Small Business Administration - Colorado District Office: This page contains information on federal resources and programs available to small businesses in Colorado, including funding options, training, and counseling services.
- Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce: The chamber is a vital resource for businesses in the Denver area, offering networking opportunities, business development programs, and advocacy.
- Colorado Bar Association - Business Law Section: This section of the Colorado Bar Association provides legal resources, updates, and education related to business law, beneficial for both attorneys and business owners.
