Areas of Practice

Business

General Business Affairs

While many clients originally come to the Law Offices of Corey G. Donovan for a specific transaction, nearly all of them appreciate having “business counsel” available, either before or after the transaction is complete.  Whether for entity choice (LLC, S Corp, etc.) trademarks, government contracts, franchising, or otherwise, affordable help or guidance as needed on nearly every sort of business matter is only a phone call away.

Finance

Commercial Finance

Financing often goes hand in hand with any sort of purchase or lease noted above. The Law Offices of Corey G. Donovan are experienced in all aspects of commercial lending, either on behalf of the borrower or the bank, as the case may be.  Different types of transactions require different types of ways to ensure that the needs of the parties are met (cash flow, security, etc.).  Ensuring that the loan documents will adequately cover the lender, while allowing the borrower the freedom and flexibility to grow its business, is the goal of every transaction.
 

Commercial Real Estate Transactions

Leases – The Law Offices of Corey G. Donovan serve as counsel in the drafting and negotiation of commercial lease agreements, either as counsel for the tenant or the landlord (as the case may be).  Through over a decade of experience, clients are assisted in identifying points of concern, eliminating particular pitfalls common in “triple net” or other types of commercial leases.  Additionally, by working extensively with both landlords and tenants, attention to areas of concern to a particular party and knowledge of major versus minor issues ensure that negotiations will proceed as smoothly as possible.

Purchases – While most clients are focused primarily on the purchase price, the Law Offices of Corey G. Donovan work to eliminate other areas of risk associated with these transactions.  For example, issues with title may reveal that the parcel cannot be used in ways contemplated by the parties.  Alternatively, the seller may be concerned with ongoing liability after the transaction is complete.  These sorts of issues are minimized with proper drafting before money changes hands.

Business Transactions

Corporate/Transactional Matters

The Law Offices of Corey G. Donovan have substantial experience in the negotiation, drafting and management of all aspects of business transactions.  These range from the more substantial (such as purchase agreements, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, partnership agreements), to the more routine (such as employment agreements, agreements with vendors or customers).  Virtually any sort of transaction that may arise from the day-to-day affairs of a business can be documented as needed, depending upon the amount of money involved and the particular risk to the parties.   

Areas of Practice

Commercial Real Estate Transactions (Lease/Purchases)

Leases - The Law Offices of Corey G. Donovan serve as counsel in the drafting and negotiation of commercial lease agreements, either as counsel for the tenant or the landlord (as the case may be).  Through over a decade of experience, clients are assisted in identifying points of concern, eliminating particular pitfalls common in "triple net" or other types of commercial leases.  Additionally, by working extensively with both landlords and tenants, attention to areas of concern to a particular party and knowledge of major versus minor issues ensure that negotiations will proceed as smoothly as possible.

Purchases - While most clients are focused primarily on the purchase price, the Law Offices of Corey G. Donovan work to eliminate other areas of risk associated with these transactions.  For example, issues with title may reveal that the parcel cannot be used in ways contemplated by the parties.  Alternatively, the seller may be concerned with ongoing liability after the transaction is complete.  These sorts of issues are minimized with proper drafting before money changes hands.

Corporate/Transactional Matters

The Law Offices of Corey G. Donovan have substantial experience in the negotiation, drafting and management of all aspects of business transactions.  These range from the more substantial (such as purchase agreements, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, partnership agreements), to the more routine (such as employment agreements, agreements with vendors or customers).  Virtually any sort of transaction that may arise from the day-to-day affairs of a business can be documented as needed, depending upon the amount of money involved and the particular risk to the parties.   

Commercial Finance

Financing often goes hand in hand with any sort of purchase or lease noted above. The Law Offices of Corey G. Donovan are experienced in all aspects of commercial lending, either on behalf of the borrower or the bank, as the case may be.  Different types of transactions require different types of ways to ensure that the needs of the parties are met (cash flow, security, etc.).  Ensuring that the loan documents will adequately cover the lender, while allowing the borrower the freedom and flexibility to grow its business, is the goal of every transaction.

General Business Affairs

While many clients originally come to the Law Offices of Corey G. Donovan for a specific transaction, nearly all of them appreciate having "business counsel" available, either before or after the transaction is complete.  Whether for entity choice (LLC, S Corp, etc.) trademarks, government contracts, franchising, or otherwise, affordable help or guidance as needed on nearly every sort of business matter is only a phone call away.

Philosophy

Traditional Litigation Attorneys versus Business (Transactional) Attorneys

Litigation Attorneys

For many people, their only interaction with an attorney is when something has gone wrong, be it in their personal lives via a divorce or their professional lives due to an unclear contract.  At this point, there is often little that an attorney can do to remedy the situation outside of trial, which is incredibly time-consuming, stressful, and unproductive for someone wanting to focus on their business.  Moreover, even when a client “wins” their case, they are often presented with a very large legal bill, sometimes in excess of $100,000.

Business Attorneys - The Law Offices of Corey G. Donovan

By contrast, the vast majority of clients retain the Law Offices of Corey G. Donovan because they want to get some deal done and want to make sure it is done right.  For many people, business transactions will be the most complex and costly transactions they will ever experience, and it only makes sense to safeguard that investment with good representation upfront.

By hiring a good business attorney and making sure all the major issues are covered before pen is put to paper, the business owner can start out with a good chance of success, often at a fraction of the costs associated with litigation.   As the old saying goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” and it is never more true than when deciding to have a business attorney represent you to make sure that everything is done by the book.

Please browse the Areas of Practice to see which services may be right for you.

Biography

The firm's sole member, Corey G. Donovan, is a 1996 graduate of the University of Alabama and a 2001 graduate of the George Mason School of Law.  Corey is admitted to practice in the State of Maryland and the District of Columbia.  The firm has "of counsel" relationships with attorneys licensed in the State of Virginia.

Corey worked for over eight years for the Law Offices of McNamee Hosea in Greenbelt, Maryland, before starting his own practice, Donovan Law Firm, LLC, t/a the Law Offices of Corey G. Donovan.  Corey works and resides in Alexandria, Virginia with his wife and daughter.