In the course of operating a business, and even in one’s personal life, we enter into many types of written agreements. Whenever you have the feeling that the agreement the other party asks you to sign may not be protecting your interests, you are probably correct. If the other party’s attorney prepared the contract, it is likely that the lawyer considered his or her client’s interests as paramount. If the other party prepared the contract without a lawyer, it may be vague or unenforceable, and might not properly express the parties’ intentions at all.

Regardless of what type of business or commercial transaction or agreement you or your business are entering into, we strongly believe that a carefully negotiated and drafted contract is your best way to protect your legal rights, and to minimize the possibility of a dispute resulting in litigation. Not only is litigation an extremely expensive and slow method of resolving disputes, but it also tends to become a huge distraction from attending to your business, and from your personal life.

If litigation becomes inevitable, The Law Offices of Michael W. Goldstein can represent you, providing the same level of professionalism and dedication that you will have come to expect. However, in the course of representing you in the contract negotiation and drafting stage, one of our goals is to protect your rights and avoid the ambiguities that often lead to litigation.

We believe that a carefully negotiated and drafted agreement functions much like a well engineered sports sedan’s ability to avoid a collision, rather than merely a typical car's ability to withstand the impact of a collision. In the automobile analogy, avoiding injuries is of course paramount, but remaining safe while also keeping your car intact is even better.. Similarly, we believe that winning the lawsuit is good, but avoiding it is better.

The legal fees spent at the initial stages of a business or commercial transaction may result in substantial savings in money, aggravation and unfulfilled expectations. If you sign any contract or proposal without competent legal representation, you may be at a distinct disadvantage, especially if the other party's lawyer prepared the agreement, or if the other party submits a "standard contract." for your signature.

Often misunderstandings arise between the parties to a commercial transaction. If this occurs, your contract is usually the first place to look to determine the parties' rights and obligations. Therefore, the contract negotiation and drafting stage is the best time to clarify the parties' understandings, expectations, rights and responsibilities, We strongly believe that a carefully drafted contract can help avoid or minimize disagreements during the course of the transaction or business relationship.

The Law Offices of Michael W. Goldstein can assist you in negotiating and drafting contracts for various types of transactions and business relationships, We can often anticipate many of the potential issues that await the unwary. To minimize these risks, we encourage our clients to explain their expectations and the other party's oral promises, and then we thoroughly negotiate, review and/or draft your contract to safeguard your rights.. In our opinion, the advantage of hiring a lawyer experienced in contract negotiation and drafting, before the contract is signed, cannot be over emphasized.

The Law Offices of Michael W. Goldstein is a New York law firm that represents its clients in diverse contracts and agreements that arise in both commercial transactions and business relationships, as well as personal matters.

AREAS OF PRACTICE

Contracts

The Law Offices of Michael W. Goldstein has negotiated and drafted various business agreements, such as:
• Shareholders' Agreements for Many Types of Businesses
• Limited Liability Company Operating Agreements
• Partnership Agreements
• Stock Buy-outs (One Shareholder Purchasing Another Shareholder’s Stock in the Corporation)
• Purchase and Sale of Various Types of Businesses
• Independent Contractor Agreements for Numerous Types of Businesses
• Confidentiality and Non-compete Agreements for Various Types of Businesses
• Contracts Between a Multinational Corporation and a Package Design Company to Redesign its Product Packages
• Contracts Involving Computer Consulting Companies Performing Specialized Services for the New York Stock Exchange
• Settlement Agreement Resolving Contractual Disputes Between F.A.O. Schwarz Toy Store and a Creator and Publisher of Personalized Children's Books
• License Agreements Between Large Retail Store and Concessionaire
• Store Management Agreements

Other Areas of Commercial Law

The Law Offices of Michael W. Goldstein has represented its clients in other areas of commercial law, including:
• Form Corporations, Partnerships and Limited Liability Companies
• Shareholders' derivative actions
• Injunction stopping construction on a New York City commercial building which caused damage to a party wall, security breaches, and disruptions in many diamond dealers' businesses
• Breach of contract actions by authors against book publishing companies
• Commercial litigation in various business disputes

FEES

We recognize that legal services must be cost effective and provide value. Our Firm's legal fees are both fair and sensitive to the client's personal and business requirements, as well as realistic in view of the magnitude of the particular transaction or controversy.

For most contract negotiation and drafting, hourly fees are charged. A retainer is required, however, if the matter is completed prior to earning the entire retainer, the balance will be refunded to the client. For some transactions, the client may choose either hourly fees or flat fees. Furthermore, for certain commercial matters where a recovery is likely, a reduced hourly fee plus contingency may be available to the client.

FLEXIBLE AND CREATIVE APPROACH

Flexibility and creativity are basic elements of the Firm's work ethic. Ideas and suggestions which might assist in achieving the client's goals are freely offered. We foster creative solutions to client problems.

QUALITY LEGAL SERVICES

We believe that our clients are best served through a practical and business-oriented application of our diverse skills. Our business law and accounting background enables us to focus quickly on the legal and economic issues.

The Firm seeks to not only analyze and resolve legal issues, but also to achieve each client's immediate and long-term goals. At the core of the Firm's practice is negotiation and drafting of commercial agreements, and representing businesses and individuals in business transactions, and commercial relationships.

PERSONAL SERVICE AND COMMITMENT TO CLIENTS

Each client can expect the Law Offices of Michael W. Goldstein to be responsive and genuinely interested in its client's matters. We communicate with our clients on a regular basis. Telephone calls are answered promptly and ample time is devoted to each client. We believe that our future is linked to the success of our clients. The Firm is committed to continually strive for excellence in legal services. We are proud that our office consistently provides personal attention and assistance to each of our clients.