SMART BUSINESS DECISIONS START WITH TRUSTED LEGAL ADVICE
Protect your business, support your growth, and plan confidently for the future with experienced corporate legal guidance.
Serving Nova Scotia businesses since 1976.
Practical legal solutions for every stage of business growth.
Experience in corporate transactions, succession & reorganizations.
CORPORATE & COMMERCIAL LAWYERS IN DARTMOUTH & HALIFAX
Successful businesses require more than strong leadership and good ideas. From choosing the right business structure to negotiating agreements, securing financing, planning for succession, and navigating complex transactions, legal decisions can have a significant impact on your long-term success.
For 50 years, Landry McGillivray has provided trusted corporate and commercial legal services to business owners, professionals, financial institutions, charitable organizations, and entrepreneurs throughout Dartmouth, Halifax, and Nova Scotia. Our experienced team delivers practical legal guidance designed to support your business goals while helping you manage risk and seize opportunities.
Whether you are launching a new venture, expanding operations, purchasing a business, restructuring your organization, or planning for the next generation, we are here to help.
Comprehensive Corporate & Commercial Legal Services
Our corporate and commercial lawyers assist clients across a broad range of legal matters, including:
Business Purchases, Sales & Reorganizations
Business transactions often involve complex legal and financial considerations. Our team assists with:
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Business acquisitions and sales
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Corporate mergers and amalgamations
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Leveraged buyouts
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Corporate reorganizations
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Business succession planning
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Shareholder transitions
Corporate Tax Planning & Family Trusts
Many businesses benefit from proactive planning strategies designed to support long-term growth and succession objectives.
We provide legal guidance regarding:
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Tax reorganizations
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Family trusts
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Estate freezes
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Retirement compensation agreements
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Succession planning strategies
Family trusts can play an important role in corporate planning by helping facilitate income splitting opportunities, wealth transfers, succession planning, estate planning, and creditor protection strategies when structured appropriately.
Business Formation & Organization
Choosing the right legal structure is one of the most important decisions a business owner can make. We provide guidance on:
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Federal and provincial incorporations
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Sole proprietorships
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Partnerships
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Unlimited liability corporations
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Professional corporations
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Non-profit organizations and societies
We help clients understand the advantages, risks, tax considerations, and liability implications associated with each business structure.
Commercial Agreements
Strong contracts help reduce risk and provide clarity for all parties involved. We draft, review, and negotiate:
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Commercial agreements
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Shareholder agreements
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Partnership agreements
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Franchise agreements
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E-commerce agreements
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Commercial leases
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Financing agreements
Choosing the Right Business Structure
One of the first questions entrepreneurs face is whether to operate as a sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation.
A sole proprietorship may be simple and cost-effective to establish, while partnerships allow multiple individuals to share ownership and responsibilities. Incorporation offers distinct advantages, including limited liability protection, continuity of ownership, improved capital-raising opportunities, and potential tax benefits. However, corporations also carry additional regulatory and administrative responsibilities.
Our lawyers work closely with business owners and their accountants to determine the structure that best aligns with their objectives, growth plans, and risk tolerance.
Planning Beyond Today
Business planning is not only about current operations. It is also about preparing for future opportunities and challenges.
Whether you are planning a succession strategy, considering a family trust, undertaking an estate freeze, or preparing your company for sale, early legal planning can help preserve value, reduce uncertainty, and support a smooth transition.
Our lawyers regularly assist business owners in developing long-term legal strategies that support both business and personal objectives.
Additional Business Resources
Incorporating a Company
Thinking about starting a business? Our guide explains the differences between sole proprietorships, partnerships, and corporations, along with the advantages and considerations associated with incorporation.
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Download our Incorporating a Company Guide to learn more.
Understanding Discretionary Family Trusts
Family trusts can be valuable tools for business succession planning, wealth preservation, estate planning, and certain corporate reorganizations.
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Download our Discretionary Family Trust Guide to learn more.