Business Law in Eugene, OR

Don’t settle for a lawyer in Eugene, Oregon that lacks the experience and deep knowledge of commercial law that your business deserves. We can connect you with an experienced business law attorney to handle your case.

What Is Business Law?

Business law regulates the conduct of merchants, persons, and businesses who engage in commerce, trade, and sales. Business law is also commonly referred to as commercial law. It covers a broad area, such as real estate laws, safety laws, food laws, and environmental regulations.

The Oregon Legislature amended Oregon’s statute on non-competition agreements. This change, effective January 1, 2022, restricts an employer’s ability to require its employees to enter into non-competition agreements. For example, the new law reduces the previous cap of 18 months to 12 months. As well, the agreement must be in writing and cannot be oral.

Staying abreast of current commercial laws can be extremely overwhelming, especially as you’re trying to run a business. Keeping an experienced Eugene, Oregon business law attorney on retainer or at least a simple phone call away can help ensure your business remains compliant. Compliance issues can lead to costly damages, so a proactive approach is always best.

How a Qualified Eugene, Oregon Business Law Attorney Can Help

Eugene business laws are often associated with unique legal issues. One of the most substantial parts of business law is contract violations. When transactions occur between customers and businesses, this usually involves a contract. Still, some legal concerns and problems happen more often than others.. Here are some additional aspects of commercial law that a business attorney can help with:

• Starting a new business
• Protecting intellectual property
• Protecting trade secrets
• Terminating a business
• Transferring a business
• Tackling unfair competition
• Addressing consumer complaints
• Handling marketing and advertising disputes and violations

Costly commercial disputes often cover multiple areas of business law. This is why hiring experienced commercial law lawyers in Eugene, OR is essential to the legal compliance and sustainability of your business.

Areas of Business Law

Specialized business attorneys in Eugene offer their services to businesses in unique situations. Here are some of the many areas of business law that they tackle.

Organization

If you are developing your business in Eugene, a lawyer can help you decide whether you list your company as a limited liability company or a corporation. They will also assist with the paperwork you need to file for your business.

Contracts

When you need to form contracts with your suppliers, clients, customers, and your employees, a business attorney will help you to prepare the necessary paperwork quickly and professionally. They also help you respond to any contracts that other organizations or people want your business to sign.

Licenses and Taxes

While the accountant that your business has will prepare and file the tax returns with your business, your Eugene business attorney will also let you know how to register your business in Oregon for state tax identification and federal tax identification numbers. They also provide you with the knowledge that you need to understand any tax consequences and defend you in court, if necessary.

The State of Oregon offers a searchable online License Directory of over 1,100 specialty licenses, permits and certifications. For example, an Oregon restaurant that sells and serves alcohol for consumption must obtain a license from the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission.

The City of Eugene does not issue a general business license to all businesses operating in Eugene. The Eugene Business License Office only regulates and requires licenses for payday lenders, public passenger vehicle companies, and tobacco retail sales outlets.

Intellectual Property Rights

When an individual creates something, they have some automatic rights to their ideas. However, if someone steals the idea, they may have a difficult time proving the idea or creation was theirs, for starters. Attorneys can help with the process of protecting IP rights through trademarking and copyright. A business lawyer in Eugene,  OR can also help you seek reparations from companies that infringe on your IP rights or defend you against accusations.

Property Law

Physical properties also need protection. In Eugene, Oregon in most instances, this refers to immovable property, such as real estate. Property law governs the use, sale, transfer, or rental of this type of property. Some business attorneys may include premises liability in this area, such as slip-and-fall accidents. Property law may cover moveable assets as well. Companies that rent products would fall into this category.

Consumer Protection

When most people picture Eugene, OR businesses going to court, they imagine businesses or business people suing each other. This certainly happens quite often, but companies and consumers sue each other too. Consumers often sue companies for defective products or false advertising. Companies, in turn, may sue consumers for libel or slander.

The Consumer Protection Division (CPD) of the Oregon Department of Justice is responsible for ensuring a safe and fair marketplace for Eugene consumers. CPD helps consumers with complaints, prevents fraud, and enforces consumer protection laws. If you live in Eugene, you can call the Consumer Hotline, or you can file a complaint online. The CPD also provides free Fraud Prevention Training for Eugene residents.

Lobbying

A qualified Eugene, Oregon company and agents that lobby on its behalf can advocate for changes to laws. However, they must have a deep understanding of the following:

• What the current laws are
• How the current laws affect the business
• What changes might provide better opportunities for the business

This is an especially common hurdle in the world of tech and engineering. For instance, the tech and transportation industry have banded together to lobby governments to consider allowing autonomous vehicles on public roads for testing and eventual official use.

The Oregon Government Ethics Commission (OGEC) is responsible for administering and enforcing Oregon’s Lobby Laws and Administrative Rules. For example, the OGEC requires most lobbyists in Eugene to register and file quarterly reports of their expenditures with the agency.

There are many other types of business attorneys that your organization in Eugene may benefit from using. If you’re not sure about what type of business attorney your company needs, use the form below to get connected with the best legal help in your area.

Work With an Experienced Eugene, Oregon Business Law Lawyer

Hiring a business law attorney near you can help you to resolve many commercial issues that may emerge. In addition to this, commercial law attorneys in Eugene can provide you with legal research, legal advice, and any other types of services that your business needs to protect itself or to fight a claim.

A commercial law attorney is also beneficial if your business needs to file a lawsuit or if you’re ever in a situation where you have to attend a court hearing. Additionally, a business law attorney in Eugene, OR will help you determine the best course of action for your business if you are ever in violation of any laws.

Most importantly, a business attorney helps your Eugene business stay out of trouble. Steering clear of legal disputes is almost always less costly than trying to find your way out of one. While it is not always possible to avoid business litigation, doing all you can to avoid one can go a long way to protecting your business.

Are you looking for a business attorney in , OR to defend your business interests? We can connect you with an experienced and passionate lawyer at no cost to you. We can even help you connect with an attorney across Oregon state lines.

 Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in your area!