The top-rated business lawyer in Waltham, Massachusetts is Scafidi Law, LLP, rated 4.9 stars across 82 reviews. Other highly rated options include HealyFiske LLP, Beliveau Law Group, LLC, Rogaris Law Office. This directory lists 21 business lawyers serving Waltham.
Comparison
| # | Name | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scafidi Law, LLP | 75 3rd Ave Second Floor | (781) 210-4710 |
| 2 | HealyFiske LLP | 235 Bear Hill Rd | (617) 354-7133 |
| 3 | Beliveau Law Group, LLC | 2 Winter St STE 102 | (781) 890-8600 |
| 4 | Rogaris Law Office | 77 Rumford Ave | (781) 893-0801 |
| 5 | The Law Office of Kevin R. Collins | 38 Linden St | (781) 430-8525 |
| 6 | Embedded Counsel | 303 Wyman St #300 | (781) 317-0437 |
| 7 | Hamilton & Hamilton PC | 330 Bear Hill Rd #201 | (781) 894-8700 |
| 8 | Law Office of Gary J. Marchese | Colonial Shopping Center, 85 River St | (781) 894-6248 |
| 9 | Zafar Khan Law LLC | 633 Trapelo Rd Suite 104 | (617) 329-1236 |
| 10 | Cushing & Dolan, P.C. | 400 5th Ave Suite 400 | (888) 759-5109 |
Scafidi Law, LLP serves businesses throughout the Middlesex County area from its Waltham location, offering legal guidance on corporate formation and commercial transactions. The firm assists clients with structuring partnerships and limited liability companies to establish proper governance frameworks. It also provides counsel on contract drafting and review for vendor agreements and client engagements. Specific services include negotiating commercial leases and resolving shareholder disputes that arise during business operations.
HealyFiske LLP provides a broad range of business law services for clients in Waltham, MA, including contract drafting, corporate governance, and dispute resolution. The firm offers ongoing legal counsel to help businesses maintain compliance with local regulations and manage operational agreements. It assists with entity formation, shareholder matters, and general transactional support. This law firm services small to mid-sized businesses, commercial landlords, and operators of retail stores and restaurants.
Beliveau Law Group, LLC serves business owners, entrepreneurs, and corporate entities in the Waltham area with legal guidance on entity formation, contract drafting, and commercial transactions. The firm also advises on regulatory compliance and dispute resolution to support operational growth. It regularly handles business succession planning and partnership agreements for local enterprises. In addition to serving Waltham, the firm provides its business law services to clients throughout neighboring Lexington.
Rogaris Law Office serves businesses throughout Waltham, MA, and the surrounding communities. It handles a full range of business law matters, including entity formation, contract negotiation, and commercial dispute resolution. The firm also advises clients on regulatory compliance matters specific to Massachusetts. For a typical engagement, it begins with a thorough review of the client’s current legal standing and objectives, then drafts or revises documents to address identified risks.
The Law Office of Kevin R. Collins assists with one-time business formation documents as well as recurring contract reviews. The firm serves clients in Waltham, MA, and the surrounding area. Common business law matters include entity structuring, partnership agreements, and regulatory compliance guidance. These services focus on protecting commercial interests through solid legal foundations. Service runs on either a one-time or as-needed basis, depending on the specific client request.
Embedded Counsel provides general guidance on business formation, contract review, and corporate governance for small to mid-sized companies. This Waltham firm adds specialized knowledge in real estate transactions and regulatory compliance to its core practice. Clients receive counsel on risk management, partnership agreements, and liability structuring. The firm supports commercial operations including offices, warehouses, and food service establishments.
As spring brings new business formations across Waltham, many entrepreneurs require guidance on entity structuring and contract law. Hamilton & Hamilton PC addresses these needs through corporate governance advice, partnership agreements, and regulatory compliance support. Their practice also covers contract disputes, vendor negotiations, and liability risk management for growing companies. For existing businesses facing lease renewals or mergers, they offer strategic counsel on due diligence and transaction documentation. The firm initiates work with a confidential consultation to assess legal exposure and identify required documentation for review.
The Law Office of Gary J. Marchese is known for providing legal guidance to businesses in Waltham, Massachusetts. The firm assists clients with entity formation, contract drafting, and regulatory compliance to support smooth daily operations. It also handles commercial disputes, helping to resolve conflicts through negotiation or litigation. Beyond general counsel services, the office offers targeted advice on merger and acquisition structuring for growing companies.
Zafar Khan Law LLC provides business law services to individuals and companies based in Waltham, Massachusetts. Commercial representation extends throughout the greater Boston area for contract drafting, entity formation, and regulatory compliance matters. Residential clients seek assistance with small business startups and local licensing requirements. The firm follows up with clients between regular visits to ensure ongoing corporate filings remain current and any operational issues are addressed promptly.
Cushing & Dolan, P.C. in Waltham provides business litigation and corporate transactional services for local enterprises. Its general practice includes contract drafting, business formation, regulatory compliance, and dispute resolution for companies of various sizes. The firm assists clients with partnership disputes, shareholder agreements, and commercial lease negotiations. During end-of-year restructuring or tax-related corporate changes, it helps businesses align their operations with shifting state and federal requirements.
What Does a a Business Lawyer in Waltham Cost?
Typical costs for a business lawyer in Massachusetts vary widely based on the complexity of the matter and the lawyer experience level. For routine transactional work such as entity formation, flat fees range from $500 for a simple single-member LLC to $2,500 for a corporation with detailed bylaws and shareholder agreements. Hourly rates for ongoing legal counsel, contract review, or dispute resolution range from $200 to $500 per hour, with most lawyers requiring a retainer of $2,500 to $10,000 upfront. For litigation, such as breach of contract or partnership dissolution, fees can escalate quickly, with a typical case costing $10,000 to $50,000 in legal fees through trial, plus court costs and expert witness fees. Some lawyers offer subscription-based packages for small businesses, ranging from $500 to $2,500 per month for a set number of hours or services.
For collections cases, lawyers may work on a contingency fee basis, taking 25 to 40 percent of the amount recovered, but this is less common for business disputes. Flat fees are also available for trademark registration ($1,000 to $3,000 including government filing fees) and simple contract drafting ($500 to $1,500). Always obtain a written fee agreement that outlines the scope of work, billing increments, and any additional costs such as filing fees, process server fees, or travel expenses. This information is general and does not constitute legal advice; you should consult with a qualified business lawyer in Waltham for advice specific to your situation.
About business lawyers in Waltham
Business law in Waltham, Massachusetts encompasses a broad range of legal services essential for companies operating in this dynamic city. Entity formation is often the first step, where a business lawyer assists entrepreneurs in choosing the correct structure: a limited liability company (LLC) offers personal liability protection with pass-through taxation, a corporation (C-corp or S-corp) provides more formal governance and stock issuance options, and a partnership requires a detailed partnership agreement to define profit sharing and decision-making. Beyond formation, lawyers draft and review contracts such as vendor agreements, service contracts, and non-disclosure agreements, ensuring terms are clear and enforceable. Commercial disputes, including breach of contract or partnership conflicts, require litigation or alternative dispute resolution. Intellectual property protection, including trademark registration for business names and copyrights for original works, is another critical area. Employment compliance involves navigating wage and hour laws, non-compete agreements, and employee handbooks. For larger transactions, mergers and acquisitions demand due diligence, asset purchase agreements, and regulatory filings under Massachusetts law.
Massachusetts imposes specific legal requirements that a Waltham business lawyer must navigate. For entity formation, LLCs and corporations must file a Certificate of Organization or Articles of Organization with the Secretary of the Commonwealth, along with a $500 filing fee for LLCs and $275 for corporations. The state requires all businesses to designate a registered agent with a physical address in Massachusetts. Regarding taxes, Massachusetts imposes a corporate excise tax of 8.0 percent on net income for C-corporations, while LLCs and S-corporations are subject to a 5.0 percent personal income tax on pass-through income. Sales tax is 6.25 percent on most goods and some services, with exemptions for manufacturing equipment and certain food items. Annual filing requirements include submitting an Annual Report to the Secretary of the Commonwealth, due by the anniversary of formation, with a $500 fee for LLCs and $275 for corporations. Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 156C governs LLCs, while Chapter 156D covers corporations, and Chapter 108A addresses partnerships. A lawyer ensures compliance with these codes, including proper record-keeping and board meeting minutes for corporations.
Businesses in Waltham require legal counsel at several critical junctures. During startup, a lawyer helps draft operating agreements, shareholder agreements, and initial contracts to avoid future disputes. When drafting contracts, such as leases for commercial space on Moody Street or vendor agreements with local suppliers, a lawyer ensures terms protect the business from liability and ambiguity. Partnership disputes often arise when one partner wishes to exit or when profit distribution is contested, requiring a lawyer to mediate or file a dissolution action in Middlesex Superior Court. Employee issues, such as misclassification of workers as independent contractors versus employees under Massachusetts independent contractor law (M.G.L. c. 149, section 148B), can lead to significant penalties, including back wages and triple damages. Regulatory compliance is vital for Waltham businesses in heavily regulated industries like healthcare, biotechnology, or food service, where lawyers advise on licensing, zoning, and environmental regulations. Buying or selling a business involves asset purchase agreements, non-compete clauses, and tax structuring, with lawyers conducting due diligence on liabilities, contracts, and intellectual property.
Common business disputes in Waltham require prompt legal intervention. Breach of contract claims, where one party fails to perform as agreed, often involve damages calculations and demands for specific performance. Partnership dissolution disputes under Massachusetts law require a formal accounting and division of assets, often leading to litigation if partners cannot agree on valuation. Non-compete enforcement is governed by the Massachusetts Noncompetition Agreement Act (M.G.L. c. 149, section 24L), which requires non-compete agreements to be supported by a garden leave clause or other consideration, and limits their duration to 12 months unless exceptional circumstances exist. Collections disputes involve unpaid invoices, where a lawyer sends demand letters and, if necessary, files a lawsuit in District Court for amounts under $50,000 or Superior Court for larger sums. Landlord-tenant commercial disputes in Waltham often involve lease interpretation, eviction proceedings, or security deposit disputes under Massachusetts commercial lease law. Intellectual property infringement, such as unauthorized use of a trademark or copyright, requires cease-and-desist letters and, if ignored, a federal lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.
Hiring a business lawyer in Waltham involves understanding typical fee structures. Hourly rates for experienced business lawyers in the Greater Boston area range from $200 to $500 per hour, with rates on the higher end for partners at larger firms or those specializing in complex litigation. Many lawyers require a retainer, typically $2,500 to $10,000, which is held in a client trust account and billed against as work is performed. Flat fees are common for routine matters: entity formation costs $500 to $2,000 depending on the complexity of the operating agreement or bylaws, and trademark registration typically ranges from $1,000 to $3,000 including government filing fees. Ongoing counsel packages, such as a monthly subscription for general legal advice and contract review, range from $500 to $2,500 per month, depending on the volume of work. For litigation, lawyers may charge a contingency fee (typically 33 to 40 percent of recovery) in collections cases, but most business disputes are billed hourly. Always request a written fee agreement that details the scope of work, billing increments (often 0.1 hour minimums), and any additional costs such as filing fees or expert witness fees.
Waltham offers a vibrant business environment supported by local resources. Major industries include biotechnology and life sciences, with companies like Thermo Fisher Scientific and Boston Scientific having significant operations in the city, as well as manufacturing, healthcare, and professional services. The Waltham Chamber of Commerce, located at 500 Main Street, provides networking events, business referrals, and advocacy for local businesses. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Massachusetts District Office, based in Boston, offers loan programs, counseling through SCORE, and disaster assistance. The City of Waltham Economic Development Office, at 119 School Street, administers programs such as the Waltham Business Development Grant, which provides up to $10,000 for facade improvements and equipment purchases, and the Small Business Technical Assistance Program, offering free consulting on marketing and finance. The Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation also provides low-interest loans to small businesses in underserved areas. A business lawyer familiar with Waltham can connect clients to these resources and advise on local zoning bylaws, such as the Waltham Zoning Ordinance, which affects commercial property use and signage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What specific Massachusetts laws affect non-compete agreements for a business lawyer in Waltham?
Under the Massachusetts Noncompetition Agreement Act (M.G.L. c. 149, section 24L), non-compete agreements signed after October 1, 2018 must be supported by a garden leave clause paying the employee at least 50 percent of their base salary during the restricted period, or other mutually agreed consideration. The agreement cannot exceed 12 months unless the employee breached a fiduciary duty or misappropriated trade secrets. A business lawyer in Waltham must ensure the agreement is in writing, signed by both parties, and provided to the employee at least 10 business days before the start of employment or with a 10-day review period if signed later.
How much does a business lawyer in Waltham typically charge for forming an LLC?
A business lawyer in Waltham typically charges a flat fee of $500 to $2,000 for forming an LLC, which includes drafting the Certificate of Organization, operating agreement, and filing with the Secretary of the Commonwealth. The state filing fee is $500 for LLCs and $275 for corporations. Additional costs may include a registered agent service fee of $100 to $300 per year and optional employer identification number (EIN) application. Hourly rates for more complex structures, such as multi-member LLCs with detailed profit-sharing arrangements, range from $250 to $400 per hour.
What is the process for dissolving a partnership in Waltham, Massachusetts?
Dissolving a partnership in Massachusetts requires filing a Statement of Dissolution with the Secretary of the Commonwealth, which costs $35. The partners must wind up the business by paying all debts, collecting assets, and distributing remaining property according to the partnership agreement or under M.G.L. c. 108A. If partners cannot agree on valuation or distribution, a business lawyer may file a petition for judicial dissolution in Middlesex Superior Court, a process that typically takes 3 to 6 months. The lawyer will also handle tax filings, including a final partnership return (Form 1065) and cancellation of any business licenses with the City of Waltham.