Every business needs skilled, creative business counsel to build and protect its long-term future. Manning Fulton’s business and tax lawyers have nearly a 50-year tradition of providing guidance to some of North Carolina’s largest and most established companies. Our clients include the state’s largest privately held company, as well as some of its newest entrepreneurs. Many clients have been with us for decades as their operations have grown in size and scope. 

Manning Fulton’s corporate lawyers are leaders in the profession, and have relevant experience that our clients appreciate. We give timely and practical advice on the industry and business-specific issues they face.

Business Structure We help clients select the proper business structure to accomplish their immediate and long-term objectives. Our lawyers know the advantages and disadvantages of using corporations, general and limited partnerships, limited liability companies and limited liability partnerships. For small and privately held businesses, we recommend organizational structures suited to each client's tax, estate planning and business succession needs.

Business Operations Manning Fulton lawyers assist clients with day-to-day details of contracts and sales agreements, and counsel them on compliance with applicable laws, regulations and standards. We work closely with clients as their businesses grow, from drafting stockholder agreements to assisting with employment or labor law issues when employees are hired or terminated.

Complex Transactions We have substantial experience assisting clients with mergers and acquisitions, and are skilled in structuring and negotiating the deal. We also assist clients with the sale or spinoff of business units, technology transfers, licensing and distribution matters, lines of credit, joint ventures, strategic alliances, venture capital investments, private placements of syndicated debt and stock and franchise offerings.

Estate and Succession Planning We help owners of family businesses assure the future of what they have built through effective planning for the next generation. Manning Fulton lawyers personalize estate and business succession strategies to the individual needs of each business and owner, working to minimize the potential income, gift and estate taxes in wealth transfer decisions.

Tax Tax consequences often dictate the type of business structure a client chooses.  Manning Fulton lawyers offer assistance with federal, state and local tax issues. Our lawyers regularly handle tax matters at the administrative level and have represented clients before the US Tax Court, federal district and appellate courts, and the North Carolina Supreme Court. We assist with matters involving:

• Tax planning, including estate and gift tax concerns
• Tax implications of mergers and acquisitions, corporate reorganizations and real estate transactions 
• Tax audits and reporting issues
• Tax disputes at all administrative review levels, including the appellate division of the IRS, the North Carolina Tax Review Board and the North Carolina Property Tax commission
• Tax-deferred financial and real estate transactions
• Sales, use and property tax issues at the state and local levels.

Corporate / Business Entities Practice Area Contact Lawyers: Sandra M. Clark, Ritchie W. Taylor