Practice Areas
Business Litigation
Our law firm engages in a wide variety of business related litigation, representing both plaintiff s and defendants. Business litigation by its nature is usually more complex due to the various legal and regulatory schemes surrounding industry. Despite these constraints, we have been successful in obtaining recoveries for businesses and individuals who have been damaged as a result of the wrongdoing by others. We also have assisted in forging successful resolution of various “business divorces” and buyouts.
In addition, our team works closely with business clients in advising whether litigation or settlement is appropriate given the client’s overall goals and its goals in the specific litigation.
Civil Litigation
SLG has a broad-based legal practice representing plaintiff s and defendants in virtually all types of civil litigation. In particular, we specialize in real estate related conflicts (i.e. contract disputes, partitions and road maintenance agreement conflicts). We also specialize in eviction actions and foreclosures. Due to its broad based practice, our law firm is flexible with respect to billing arrangements with clients, and in the past has entered into hourly billing arrangements, contingency fee agreements and combined fee arrangements. In all litigation matters, a written agreement is entered into so billing procedures are clear and understood in advance.
Corporate Law
Our law firm serves as counsel for various local and regional companies. We also advise individual business investors, employees, officers and directors on the impact of corporate and business law on their affairs. The firm works actively with general and limited partnerships, corporations and limited liability companies and partnerships. Our attorneys also represent numerous not-for-profit entities and consider that an expanding area of our practice.
We have advised clients on corporate formations, registration of foreign business, mergers, acquisitions, stock transfers, asset sales, stock options, director and corporate conflict of interest issues, employment agreements and choice of business entity.
As a small business itself, SLG believes strongly that the ongoing costs of operating a profitable business are large enough without unnecessary legal costs. At the same time, there are certain aspects and situations surrounding significant events related to a business that warrant careful review and reasoned judgment.
Our law firm works closely with its clients to strike a meaningful balance to determine whether in-depth or cursory review of business matters or documents is appropriate. In addition, we focus on identifying and describing business risks for the client, allowing the client to make its own business decision, but a decision based on knowing and understanding the risks.
Commercial Transactions
SLG has extensive experience in commercial transactions. Our firm has represented buyers, sellers and lenders in virtually every aspect of business transactions. Our representation has included numerous buyers and sellers of lodges, bed and breakfast facilities and hospitality services. We have been involved in the purchase or sale of heavy and light industry, professional practices, retail businesses, wholesale suppliers and art galleries.
Our attorneys average twenty years of commercial law experience and continually assist local, regional and national companies with asset based transactions and stock transfers and related financing and security issues.
Creditor’s Rights & Workouts
The firm has represented many lenders in negotiating workouts and realizing on collateral through foreclosure or asset sales. Each troubled lending relationship is unique. At SLG, we take the time to analyze long-term goals and short-term needs in fashioning our advice in a given transaction.
Environmental Law
Vermont has one of the nation’s most extensive land use and permitting schemes, which is layered over local regulations and state statutes. These regulations can create an almost impenetrable maze for businesses (and sometimes individuals) planning to locate, relocate or expand in Vermont, and attempting to unravel this maze without a full knowledge of the various limitations can be extremely frustrating and time consuming.
Estate Planning
SLG assists clients in planning for the orderly management and disposition of their assets through wills, trusts, Enhanced Life Estate Deeds and powers of attorney. We also advise clients on advance planning for healthcare decision-making, and the effi cient transfer of fi nancial assets from you to your heirs. Each person’s needs are diff erent, so we listen carefully to your story and work with you to create a plan that will secure your future, preserve your assets, and simplify tasks for your heirs.
Probate Administration
At SLG, we will guide you through a review of your loved one’s estate plan and assets and an analysis of whether it is necessary to open a probate estate in the Vermont courts. If it is, we will use our experience and expertise to guide you toward the most effi cient use of the probate court process we can. If it is not necessary to open a probate estate because assets are passing under a trust, we can help the Trustee understand his or her duties and distribute assets according to the trust document.
Real Estate Law
The attorneys in the firm actively practice all aspects of Real Estate Law, including purchases and sales of residential and commercial properties, financing, leasing, construction and permitting.
Our law firm assists in-state and out-of-state individuals, business and lenders in all aspects of real estate transactions. Sandy Shriver serves on the Vermont Bar Association Title Standards Committee, has testified on a real estate related matter in front of a State of Vermont Legislative Committee and has served as an expert witness in a real estate related case.
Secured Lending Law
Our law firm provides a wide range of services related to secured lending. In addition to traditional real estate lending, the firm has extensive experience in asset based lending, including matters relating to general intangibles and condominiums.
Attorneys at our firm represent local, regional and national lenders and borrowers in all aspects of secured lending, ranging from asset based transactions to lending based on real estate.
