Enid, Oklahoma: (580) 234-0436 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: (405) 272-4710

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Corporate & business

Comprehensive legal services for corporate, business, and real estate matters

Gungoll Jackson brings extensive experience and tenacity to business, and real estate matters. Whether you’re looking to start a new business, navigating day-to-day operations, or handling complex transactions, our attorneys are committed to providing strategic, sensible advice tailored to your needs.

We work closely with businesses of all sizes, from startups to established businesses, to protect their company’s interests and ensure every legal challenge is met with sound judgment and unwavering dedication. Our team’s broad knowledge ensures we are equipped to manage all aspects of your business and real estate legal needs with efficiency.

Legal matters can be complex, and you may be wondering where to begin. Below are some of the most common questions business owners and corporate leaders have. While the answers can vary, we’re here to provide the guidance you need.

One of the first practical concerns you will face as an entrepreneur is how to legally structure your business. Factors to consider include the complexity of the business, the potential risks it faces, protecting your personal assets from claims against the business, and the tax implications of each business structure.

You’ll most likely choose one of the following structures for your small business:

  • Sole proprietorship
  • Partnership
  • Corporation
  • Limited liability company (LLC)

For business owners, each structure provides a different mix of benefits, potential drawbacks, and legal protections.

Sole proprietorship

A sole proprietorship is a business founded and owned by a single individual. It’s the default structure for a business owned by one person that is not registered as a specific type of legal entity.

Partnership

A general partnership is simple and inexpensive to organize and can be established without a formal state filing or entity registration. It’s the default entity that exists when two or more persons go into business together but do not form any other specific type of legal entity.

Corporation

A corporation is a formal legal entity that can earn a profit, pay taxes, buy and sell assets, and sue and be sued. Filing articles of incorporation with the appropriate state agency creates a corporation that is entirely separate from the individual owners of the corporation.

Limited liability company (LLC)

An LLC is a hybrid business structure that provides the liability protection of a corporation while allowing profits and losses to be passed through to the individual owners’ personal income.

Learn more about choosing the right legal entity structure for your business in Oklahoma.

When you start a business, the choices you make can affect the legal requirements, tax treatment, your personal liability, and projected revenue.

This list is not all-inclusive as you may need to take additional steps depending on the nature of your business.

New business checklist

  1. Conduct market research to find out if there’s an opportunity to turn your idea into a successful business.
  2. Write a business plan to determine how to structure, run, and grow your new business.
  3. Secure funding or talk to potential investors.
  4. Choose a business location and decide whether you’re setting up a brick-and-mortar business or launching an online store.
  5. Choose a business structure. Learn more about choosing the right legal entity structure for your business in Oklahoma.
  6. Name your business and make sure it’s available.
  7. Register your business in the state of Oklahoma.
  8. Get federal tax ID. Your employer identification number (EIN) is like a Social Security number for your business.
  9. Apply for licenses and permits to stay legally compliant.
  10. Open a business bank account to handle legal, tax, and day-to-day issues.

Adapted from the U.S. Small Business Administration, 10 steps to start your business.

A limited liability company (LLC) is a hybrid business structure that provides the liability protection of a corporation while allowing profits and losses to be passed through to the personal incomes of its members.

An LLC requires formal filing with the state and must file annual reports in each state in which the LLC is registered to do business in order to remain active.

In general, setting up an LLC requires six key steps:

  1. Choose a business name. The name you choose should appeal to your customers, be unique, and stand out among your competitors. For some businesses, the name will reflect the company’s products or services.
  2. Form the LLC. The next step is prepare and file the Articles of Organization required by the state and pay the state-required filing fee to establish the limited liability company. This is the first step toward limiting personal exposure to the financial risk of your business.
  3. Prepare an Operating Agreement. If you don’t have an Operating Agreement that governs the rights and duties of each member (the owners), the state statutes control. However, those statutes do not cover many important issues that may arise. As a result, Gungoll Jackson highly encourages owners to work with an attorney to draft an LLC operating agreement. Even if your LLC has only one member, filing an operating agreement prepares you for the addition of members (owners) as your business grows.
  4. Apply for Business License(s). Certain types of businesses require licenses to operate in Oklahoma. If you are unsure if your business needs a business license, contact us.
  5. Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN). As of January 2024, all LLCs are required to obtain an EIN from the Internal Revenue Services to comply with federal regulations.
  6. Obtain a Location. Unless you intend to operate your business out of your residence, you will need to obtain a location from which to operate the business. You can either purchase land and build a building, purchase land with an existing building, or lease land with an existing building. Whichever route you choose, you should work with an attorney to review the numerous legal documents and assist you with specific issues, including attempting to limit your personal liability in connection with those documents.

Gungoll Jackson highly encourages business owners to work with an attorney to create their LLC. This helps make sure that you file the proper documents with your secretary of state and remain compliant with all applicable requirements for LLCs. This also helps to make sure that your Operating Agreement meets both your initial business needs as well as allowing for the future growth of your business.

Finally, an attorney will be able to assist you in attempting to limit your personal liability in connection with other legal documents and relationships that will be necessary as your LLC starts its business activities.

Learn more about the benefits of forming a limited liability company (LLC) in Oklahoma.

Entity governance is a set of policies and practices that guide how business entities operate and make decisions. As regulatory frameworks evolve, complying with legal requirements and ensuring proper entity governance can help minimize liabilities for your business.

Best practices for successful entity governance

  1. Clearly define the roles and responsibilities of the owners, management, and employees.
  2. Establish a code of conduct to promote ethical behavior and promote a culture of integrity.
  3. Promote accurate, transparent financial reporting and disclosure to maintain confidence of multiple owners and lenders.
  4. Foster open lines of communication with multiple owners when making decisions.
  5. Take a systematic approach to risk management and accountability.
  6. Incorporate internal controls and checks and balances into day-to-day operations.

Strong entity governance programs position business entities for long-term success in an ever-evolving business landscape.

Gungoll Jackson helps businesses create effective entity governance strategies by taking a systematic approach to policy development and process improvement.

Adapted from University of Pittsburgh, School of Law, Corporate Governance: What It Is and Why It Matters

Under federal and state law, business owners have many different legal responsibilities. Consulting with an attorney who is familiar with laws and business obligations in Oklahoma can help ensure you’re in full legal compliance.

Ensure your business obtains required licenses and permits

The licenses and permits you need depends on the type of business you operate. An attorney can help make sure you’re in full compliance.

Maintain HR compliance

If you employ workers, you may need to follow various labor-related laws. The specific laws that apply depend on the size of your workforce and whether you classify workers as employees or independent contractors.

An attorney can help you understand your responsibilities.

Explore the key service areas below to see how we can assist your business.

We assist in determining and forming the right legal structure for your business, whether it’s a corporation, LLC, partnership, or sole proprietorship. From selecting the appropriate business structure to filing and creating necessary documents, the attorneys at Gungoll Jackson guide you through each step, ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal regulations to set your business up for long-term success.

Legal services include:

  • Advising on business structure selection (limited liability company (LLC), corporation, partnership, joint venture, etc.)
  • Business name registration
  • Filing formation documents (Articles of Incorporation, Articles of Organization)
  • Ensuring that business assets are titled and held in the proper business name
  • Counsel on liability protection and asset structuring
  • Drafting operating agreements, corporate bylaws, and shareholder agreements
  • Drafting initial business contracts
  • Ensuring regulatory and licensing compliance
  • Handling foreign entity registration for multi-state businesses
  • Managing securities compliance for capital raising
  • Setting up buy-sell agreements and exit strategies
  • Structuring ownership and management roles

Proper structuring or restructuring of your business and operating entity can optimize operations, reduce liabilities, and enhance financial stability. Gungoll Jackson provides strategic guidance throughout the structuring or restructuring process. Whether negotiating mergers, acquisitions, or debt restructuring, we work toward a smooth transition with a focus on minimizing risk and protecting your business interests.

Legal services include:

  • Advising on restructuring strategies for financial stability or growth
  • Assisting with debt restructuring and refinancing
  • Drafting and negotiating restructuring agreements
  • Drafting sales, purchases, buyouts, spin-offs, and asset transfers
  • Assisting entity conversion or reorganization
  • Handling bankruptcy planning and creditor negotiations
  • Negotiating and advising in mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures
  • Renegotiating contracts, leases, and vendor agreements

We help businesses establish and maintain strong business governance practices, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory standards. Gungoll Jackson advises on board structure, owner relations, executive compensation, and risk management to promote transparency, accountability, and long-term success.

Legal services include:

  • Advising on executive compensation and employment agreements
  • Assisting with ownership rights and disputes
  • Conducting governance documentation and reviews
  • Counseling directors, manager, officers, and executives on fiduciary duties
  • Drafting and enforcing policies and procedures and codes of conduct including ethics policies
  • Drafting and updating corporate bylaws, operating agreements, partnership agreements, etc.
  • Overseeing annual meetings and corporate record-keeping
  • Preparing ownership and board resolutions
  • Providing legal guidance on stockholder agreements and voting rights
  • Assisting with annual meetings, business health reviews, and director, manager, officer, and executive training

Gungoll Jackson provides comprehensive legal services for drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts and agreements, ensuring clarity and protection for all parties involved. Our work spans a wide range of agreements, including shareholder, joint venture, operating, and partnership agreements as well as bylaws; licensing deals employment contracts; and service contracts aimed at minimizing risk and promoting business growth.

Legal services include:

  • Advising on contract disputes and breach of contract claims
  • Creating vendor, supplier, and service agreements
  • Developing non-disclosure, non-solicitation, and confidentiality agreements
  • Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating:
  • Purchase, sale, and distribution agreements
  • Licensing and intellectual property agreements
  • Operating, partnership, joint venture, shareholder agreements, and bylaws
  • Vendor contracts
  • Employment and independent contractor agreements
  • Commercial lease agreements
  • Warranties, indemnities, and liability provisions

We assist in the preparation, filing, and enforcement of liens, ensuring your interests are protected in construction and property-related matters. Gungoll Jackson helps clients get ahead of lien deadlines to avoid statutory time limits and works diligently to safeguard your rights.

Legal services include:

  • Advising lenders and creditors on secured transactions
  • Conducting title searches to identify existing liens
  • Counseling businesses on lien rights and compliance with state laws
  • Defending against wrongful or improper lien filings
  • Developing and recording lien notices and affidavits
  • Drafting mortgages, security agreements, and UCC-1 financing statements for secured transactions
  • Enforcing lien claims through litigation or foreclosure
  • Filing and enforcing mechanic’s and materialman’s (M&M) liens
  • Handling liens related to construction projects and contractors
  • Negotiating lien releases and settlements
  • Preparing lien waivers and subordination agreements
  • Representing property owners in lien disputes
  • Resolving disputes over priority and validity of liens
  • Assisting with judgment liens and collections

Gungoll Jackson provides strategic counsel for all aspects of business-related real estate transactions, including property purchases and sales, leases, investment deals, and oil and gas related matters.

Legal services include:

  • Advising on land use, zoning, and permitting issues
  • Assisting with easements, rights-of-way, and access agreements
  • Counseling on land leases, land/property disputes, and title issues
  • Drafting and reviewing commercial lease agreements for landlords and tenants
  • Conducting due diligence for real estate transactions
  • Commercial lease agreements for landlords and tenants
  • Drafting and enforcing restrictive covenants and deed restrictions
  • Drafting and reviewing drilling title, division order title, and mineral title options
  • Assistance with real estate financing and loan transactions
  • Handling commercial property tax disputes and appeals
  • Handling foreclosures, short sales, and distressed property matters
  • Managing environmental compliance and risk assessments
  • Negotiating and drafting commercial purchase and sale agreements
  • Representing clients in eminent domain and property takings
  • Resolving real estate and title disputes, including payment and ownership disputes
  • Structuring real estate investments and joint ventures

Our attorneys have extensive litigation experience and provide strong representation in business and real estate disputes.

Whether negotiating settlements or advocating in court, Gungoll Jackson works diligently to protect your interests and pursue favorable resolutions.

Legal services include:

  • Pursuing and defending:
  • Business tort claims
  • Construction and contractor disputes
  • Trade Secret violation claims
  • Unfair business practices claims
  • Business fraud and misrepresentation claims
  • Handling disputes related to:
  • Business loans, liens, and financial obligations
  • Commercial real estate transactions
  • Claims against directors, managers, officers, and directors
  • Ownership disputes
  • Mergers, acquisitions, and business dissolutions
  • Insurance coverage disputes for businesses

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The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we strive to ensure the accuracy and completeness of our content, it should not be relied upon as a substitute for legal counsel. The use of this website does not establish an attorney-client relationship.