BUSINESS AND CORPORATE

Making business decisions means constant evaluation of opportunity and risk. In every instance--whether incorporation or contractual issues, or even simple business transactions--the law has become an integral component of that process.

As business and corporate counsel, our job is to help you achieve your business objectives. Our legal representation goes beyond legal counseling. We want to make sure that our advice fits into your overall business strategy and the legal process does not get in the way of the smooth and efficient operation of your business.

This requires considerable depth and breadth in general business and corporate law, and an understanding of your business. Mr. DeLong is continually asked to render advice and become involved in a broad array of business and corporate matters. In each case, his approach is shaped not only by a learned legal perspective, but also by an appreciation of the realities of running a business in today's world. Mr. DeLong makes it his business to understand your business.

Our client's have recognized this expertise with long-term trust in our counsel: we have client relationships extending over 15 years, and through several generations of family clients.

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ESTATE, BUSINESS AND TAX PLANNING

The Firm provides sophisticated representation in such matters as federal and state estate and income taxes, business succession planning, tax planning and return preparation. The Firm routinely assists individuals and business owners in the following areas:

• Wills and Revocable Living Trusts;
• Durable Powers of Attorney;
• Patient Advocate Designations;
• Probate Avoidance Techniques;
• Business Succession Planning;
• Irrevocable Trusts;
• Charitable Trusts;
• Retirement and Taxation Planning;
• Formation of Business Entities;
• General Business Transactions;
• Stockholder/Partnership Agreements;
• Purchase or Sale of Business Interests;
• Mergers and Acquisitions;
• Work-outs and Business Reorganizations;
• I.R.S. Tax Audits; and
• Federal, State and Local Taxation.

Our Firm makes sure that our sophisticated technical expertise is used as a tool to assist you to accomplish your goals.

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PROBATE AND TRUST ADMINISTRATION

When a loved one passes away or becomes incapacitated, you need not only a lawyer to administer their estate, but a counselor to help you with all of the details left behind.

We recognize that this can often be a daunting task to the family members left behind, especially given the increasingly complex maze of estate and income taxes, and estate and trust administration.

Mr. DeLong can simplify this entire process by organizing your family's financial affairs, handling the sophisticated estate and income tax issues, and overseeing the administration of a trust or probate estate. By simplifying the process, we greatly reduce the stress on you and your family. We also help you anticipate problems that can arise and frequently can suggest techniques to save a substantial amount in taxes and unnecessary administrative costs.

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REAL ESTATE

We aggressively represent construction companies, homeowners, general contractors, subcontractors, builders, developers and landlords in a wide variety of both simple and complex real estate matters, including:

• Foreclosures;
• Landlord/Tenant Matters;
• Purchase, Sale, Lease and Development of Residential, Commercial, Industrial and Properties;
• Zoning and Municipal Regulatory Matters;
• Mortgage, Land Contract and Leases; and
• Real Estate Litigation.

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MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS

Entrepreneurs need answers . . . and they usually need them right away.

Recognizing that simple fact has helped shape the way Mr. DeLong approaches his clients' mergers and acquisition needs--he seeks answers before the questions arise, and when questions do arise, Mr. DeLong is ready with workable solutions.

Mr. DeLong brings to the table the ability and willingness to bring creative solutions to problems inherent to corporate mergers and acquisitions transactions. Helping to define and structure our clients' objectives is our first step; only afterwards can you really evaluate how to get from here to there. Mr. DeLong can be a useful element in this process.

The process often requires that the Firm draw upon a wealth of relationships in the banking, investment and accounting communities; contacts Mr. DeLong has carefully cultivated over the years. This integrated, coordinated team of strategists, negotiators, researchers and others can evaluate a prospect, arrange financing and handle negotiations while remaining focused on your objectives.

In short, a team which can achieve the desired result, sometimes through unexpected means. This Firm is dedicated to this team approach.

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COMMERCIAL LITIGATION

The Firm represents clients in pursuing or defending claims in the local district courts, circuit courts, federal courts, probate courts and in the appellate courts. We advise and represent individuals and business owners in areas such as business and contract disputes, debt collection actions, and employment matters.