Business Law

The Business Law Group of CWM offers a full range of legal services for corporations, general and limited partnerships, limited liability companies, joint ventures, other business, commercial and banking entities and their owners. Our services include entity selection and formation; mergers and acquisitions; preparation of partnership agreements and operating agreements; business and tax planning; debt and equity financing; asset sales; commercial and secured transactions; joint ventures; labor and management relations; and business reorganizations. We prepare and review key business contracts with customers, vendors, employees and distributors, including franchise agreements, leasing agreements, license agreements and employment agreements.

Our attorneys understand that tax considerations drive many business decisions and transactions. We advise our clients on tax considerations relevant to their businesses and transactions and help develop plans to address and mitigate negative tax consequences.

We also assist clients in avoiding litigation by early consideration of problem areas and careful planning with the client before business decisions are finalized. The likelihood of lawsuits is diminished by close attention to detail in drafting and reviewing contracts and other documents, effective counseling and negotiation, and a comprehensive knowledge of the substantive law upon which clients base their decisions.

The business and corporate services that we offer our clients include advice on the following:

  • Asset and stock sales and acquisitions
  • Mergers
  • Business formation and entity selection
  • Restructurings
  • Partnership agreements
  • Operating agreements
  • Tax-exempt entities
  • Joint ventures
  • Franchise agreements
  • Leasing agreements
  • Licensing agreements
  • Shareholder Agreements
  • Buy-Sell Agreements
  • Debt and equity financings
  • Employment agreements

Start-Up Companies and Entrepreneurs

Our Business Law Group is also equipped to provide critical assistance to start-up companies and entrepreneurs.  We offer start-ups assistance with selecting the appropriate business entity, business formation, capitalization and contract preparation, along with guidance on securities and employment law issues. We also help new and existing business with corporate governance advice and assistance in raising capital from lenders and from other investors, including private equity funds.

We know that each new business is unique and we tailor our services appropriately.  We understand the financial constraints of start-up businesses and can develop a plan with our start-up clients that they can afford.

For start-up inquiries, contact Steve Brinker at sbrinker@cwm-law.com or 757-623-3000.

Representative Clients

Banks, Lenders, Financial Institutions

Corporation/S Corporations

General/Limited Partnerships

Limited Liability Companies

Limited Partnerships

Members of LLCs, Shareholders, General/Limited Partners

Start-Up Companies and Entrepreneurs

Tax-Exempt Entities

News and Updates
Virginia Business Announces 24th Edition “Legal Elite”
Posted on December 5, 2023
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Securities and Exchange Commission Final Rule on Cybersecurity
Posted on October 18, 2023
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently published a final rule, effective September 5, 2023, applicable to publicly traded companies on Cybersecurity Risk Management, Strategy, Governance, and Incident Disclosure.[1]  The…...
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Virginia Business Announces 23rd Edition “Legal Elite”
Posted on December 1, 2022
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Virginia Business Announces 22nd Anniversary “Legal Elite”
Posted on December 7, 2021
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Eight Crenshaw, Ware & Martin, P.L.C. Attorneys Named to 2022 Best Lawyers® in America List
Posted on August 19, 2021
Norfolk, VA, — Crenshaw, Ware & Martin P.L.C. is pleased to announce that Best Lawyers has recognized four of the Firm’s attorneys as “Best Lawyers in America”, two as “Lawyer of…...
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CWM Attorneys Recognized by Virginia Super Lawyers®
Posted on May 11, 2021
Crenshaw, Ware & Martin, P.L.C. is pleased to announce that eight of its lawyers have been selected for inclusion in the 2021 list of Virginia Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars. …...
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Darius Davenport Discusses Avoiding Mistakes in Small Business | Monday, March 29th
Posted on March 25, 2021
CWM partner Darius Davenport joins the Black BRAND, Hampton Roads Black Chamber's Coffee Connect to discuss avoiding business mistakes for small businesses. Register here to tune in on Monday, March…...
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Virginia Business Announces 21st Anniversary “Legal Elite”
Posted on December 30, 2020
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Crenshaw, Ware & Martin Promotes Grandy to Partner
Posted on December 28, 2020
Norfolk, VA – Crenshaw, Ware & Martin, P.L.C. is pleased to announce it has elected C. Wiley Grandy as a new partner. Mr. Grandy focuses his practice on complex business litigation,…...
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Posted on April 24, 2020
Video Conferencing Best PracticesDownload With many employees transitioning from the office to teleworking from home, video conferencing has surged in popularity and demand. Wherever your work takes you, consider these best…...
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Crenshaw, Ware & Martin, P.L.C. Attorneys Named to Virginia Business Magazine’s 2017 “Legal Elite”
Posted on November 13, 2017
Crenshaw, Ware & Martin is proud to announce that four of the firm’s attorneys have been recognized by Virginia Business Magazine among Virginia’s “Legal Elite” for 2017.  Each year in…...
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CWM Attorneys Recognized by Virginia Super Lawyers®
Posted on April 17, 2017
Crenshaw, Ware & Martin, P.L.C. is pleased to announce that nine of its lawyers have been selected for inclusion in the 2017 list of Virginia Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars. …...
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Crenshaw, Ware & Martin, P.L.C. Attorneys Named to Virginia Business Magazine’s 2016 “Legal Elite”
Posted on November 30, 2016
Crenshaw, Ware & Martin is proud to announce that five of the firm’s attorneys have been recognized by Virginia Business Magazine among Virginia’s “Legal Elite” for 2016. Steven L. Brinker…...
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CWM Welcomes Steven L. Brinker
Posted on December 1, 2015
Crenshaw, Ware & Martin, P.L.C. is pleased to announce that Steven L. Brinker has joined the firm as chair of its Business Law Group. Steve focuses on formation, financing and development…...
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