Business Transaction Attorney for South Florida Businesses
Clear Legal Guidance Before You Sign, Buy, Sell, or Make a Major Business Commitment
Before you sign
Make your next business move with clarity.
Business agreements can create obligations that last for years. Matthew Fornaro helps business owners evaluate, negotiate, and document transactions with their long-term goals in mind.
From a focused contract review to buying or selling a business, get practical guidance before you commit.
How we can help
Business Transactions We Handle
Everyday agreements
- Business contract drafting and review
- Vendor and supplier agreements
- Customer and client agreements
- Independent contractor agreements
- Confidentiality and nondisclosure agreements
Ownership & business sales
- Partnership and ownership agreements
- Operating and shareholder agreements
- Purchase and sale agreements
- Asset purchase agreements
- Business acquisitions and sales
Property & other commitments
- Commercial leases
- Licensing agreements
- Employment-related business agreements
- Contract amendments and renewals
- Settlement and separation agreements
- Other commercial transactions
The legal work should match the needs and stakes of the transaction, from a focused review to negotiation, due diligence, and coordination through closing.
Understand the fine print
Contract Review Before You Commit
A contract determines who does what, how payments work, and what happens when circumstances change. Review proposed terms while there is still time to negotiate.
The important question is whether the agreement makes sense for your business and whether you understand the obligations you are accepting.
Terms worth a closer look
- Payment terms
- Automatic renewals
- Termination rights
- Personal guarantees
- Indemnification provisions
- Limitations of liability
- Insurance requirements
- Intellectual property ownership
- Confidentiality obligations
- Noncompetition or restrictive provisions
- Dispute-resolution requirements
- Attorney’s fees
- Governing law and venue
- Assignment or change-of-control provisions
Beyond the purchase price
Buying or Selling a Business
Buyers need to understand the contracts, assets, liabilities, leases, and ownership structure they are taking on. Sellers need clarity about what remains their responsibility after closing.
Addressing those issues early can reduce the likelihood of an unexpected obligation becoming an expensive dispute.
Support through the transaction
- Letters of intent
- Due diligence
- Asset purchases
- Equity or membership-interest transactions
- Purchase and sale agreements
- Contract assignments
- Lease transfers
- Representations and warranties
- Closing requirements
- Post-closing obligations
Practical advice. Business perspective.
Practical Legal Advice for Business Owners
Legal advice should help you make better business decisions without making those decisions more complicated.
Matthew’s approach focuses on identifying the issues that matter, explaining potential risks clearly, and helping clients determine a practical path forward based on their objectives and tolerance for risk.
With more than 20 years of legal experience and a practice focused heavily on business matters, Matthew works with entrepreneurs, closely held companies, and established businesses throughout South Florida.
Based in Coral Springs, serving Parkland and businesses across Broward, Palm Beach, Miami-Dade, and South Florida.
More guidance for your next agreement
Business Contracts Are More Than Paperwork
A contract does more than document a deal. It determines what each party is required to do, how and when payments are made, who assumes certain risks, what happens when circumstances change, and what remedies may be available if something goes wrong.
The best time to address those issues is usually before the agreement is signed.
Matthew works with business owners to identify important terms, explain legal and practical risks in plain language, and develop agreements that reflect the actual business relationship rather than relying on a generic form that may not fit the situation.
Agreements That Reflect How Your Business Actually Operates
Generic templates can be useful starting points, but businesses rarely operate in exactly the same way.
A well-drafted business agreement should reflect the actual relationship between the parties.
That means considering questions such as:
- Who is responsible for what?
- When and how does payment occur?
- What happens if deadlines are missed?
- Can either party terminate the relationship?
- Who owns work product or intellectual property?
- Can the agreement be transferred?
- What happens when the parties disagree?
A contract that answers those questions clearly can help prevent uncertainty from becoming conflict.
When a Business Transaction Becomes a Dispute
Even carefully structured agreements cannot eliminate every disagreement.
A customer may fail to pay. A vendor may not perform as promised. A partner may interpret an agreement differently. A buyer or seller may dispute what was represented during a transaction.
Because Matthew’s practice includes both transactional business law and commercial litigation, he can evaluate agreements with an understanding of how contract language may be viewed if a dispute develops later.
When disagreements arise, the firm can help evaluate options ranging from negotiation and demand letters to mediation, arbitration, and litigation when necessary.
Your questions, answered
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I have an attorney review a business contract?
Ideally, before the agreement is signed. An attorney can help identify obligations, risks, unclear provisions, and terms that may warrant negotiation while changes can still be made.
Can an attorney negotiate a business contract for me?
Yes. Depending on the transaction, an attorney may review proposed terms, recommend revisions, communicate with the other party or its attorney, and help negotiate provisions intended to better protect your interests.
Do I need an attorney when buying a business in Florida?
The level of legal assistance depends on the transaction, but purchasing a business can involve significant contractual, ownership, liability, lease, employment, and due-diligence issues. Legal review can help identify those issues before closing.
What is the difference between an asset purchase and buying ownership in a company?
In an asset purchase, the buyer generally purchases selected assets of the business. In an equity transaction, the buyer acquires ownership interests in the company itself. The legal, tax, and liability implications can differ substantially, so the structure should be evaluated with appropriate legal and financial professionals.
Should an operating agreement be updated when business ownership changes?
Often, yes. Ownership changes may affect voting rights, management authority, distributions, transfer restrictions, buyout provisions, and other governance issues. Existing agreements should be reviewed when ownership or management changes.
Discuss Your Business Transaction
Before signing an agreement that could affect your company for years, make sure you understand what you are agreeing to.
Schedule a consultation with Matthew Fornaro to discuss your contract or business transaction.
Related Business Legal Services
Business Formation | Business Litigation | Arbitration & Mediation | Business Dissolution
Call Us
954-324-3651 or 888-FLA-LAWYER