District of Columbia Business Lawyers

Commercial law includes all aspects of business, including marketing, transactions, collections, and business organization. Particular ordinances and legal principles unique to District of Columbia govern the application of law to businesses. In District of Columbia, Commercial law is complex, and it includes principles that are extremely different from those that apply to individuals.

The Law of Transactions in District of Columbia

In daily operating activities, a typical business buys and sells often. Some of these transactions are bound to pose problems. Contracts in District of Columbia often require legal action to enforce, whether the contracts are formed with consumers or other businesses. It is ideal to plan beforehand through contracts and purchase agreements. But for these documents to be of legal effect, they must be drafted according to District of Columbia law. Securities transactions and other investing activities on behalf of a company also implicate certain District of Columbia laws. Investing in the capital markets requires that a corporate entity comply with both Federal securities law and District of Columbia laws in this area.

Business Organization and the Law

District of Columbia law decides the range of choices that a business has when organizing its business structure. Incorporation carries a set of distinct advantages, but District of Columbia has its own guidelines regarding applications for incorporation, as do all other states. Proceeding without considering the options carefully may expose your business to tax liability that it otherwise could have avoided. The appropriate business structure for your company can be difficult to determine. An attorney specialized in District of Columbia business law can help you find the right business form for your unique situation.

Interesting Facts About District of Columbia

Washington, D.C., or the District of Columbia ("D.C."), is a federal district controlled by the U.S. federal government. It is the nation's capital and not part of any U.S. state. Congress approved the creation of D.C. in 1790. All three branches of the federal government have their centers in the District, and the area is full of historical museums and U.S. monuments.

The District of Columbia has powers of self-governance, as it has an elected mayor and a city council. The Home Rule Act of 1973 allows the District to operate a municipal government. However, the U.S. Congress ultimately has authority over the city and is empowered to overturn local laws as necessary. Residents of D.C. are subject to federal taxation, although they have no voting representative in the U.S. Congress.

Washington D.C.'s court system revolves around the Superior Court of the District of Columbia and the District of Columbia Court of Appeals. Most claims are filed through the Superior Court, which oversees local criminal and civil cases. There is also a U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, which only presides over federal cases. D.C. maintains a Metropolitan Police Department, and several federal enforcement agencies operate there as well.

Lawyers in Washington D.C. understand the complex interaction of federal and state rules that govern the region. Washington, D.C. attorneys are members of the District of Columbia Bar Association, created in 1972. Legal claims may be directed to a D.C. lawyer, who can provide counseling and other services.