Retail Trade Attorneys Keep Up with Fast-Paced Changes
Retail Trade Attorneys Focus on Concerns Specific to the Industry
Technological advancements have disrupted the consumer marketplace—a trend that is projected to continue—and introduced new and diverse ways for retailers to reach customers. On the legal front, these advances have triggered an array of federal and state laws governing sales, retail pricing, advertising, unfair practices, and consumer protection and privacy. Jenkins Fenstermaker’s retail trade attorneys are armed with the right balance of legal experience and business acumen to develop successful strategies for savvy retail clients and to navigate issues related to corporate governance.
The Retail Trade Industry Is Always on the Go
In the last few decades, the retail industry has morphed from locally-owned, downtown shops to suburban malls to e-commerce. Now, consumers research and purchase goods in every way possible: in brick-and-mortar locations, on websites, from catalogs, at kiosks, and yes, even door-to-door. But the retail industry encompasses much more than just the shopping experience; it ranges from groceries and office supplies to furniture and cars. The retail sector also includes after-sale services such as repairs, warranties, and customer support.
Jenkins Fenstermaker’s retail lawyers know their way through the maze of federal and state statutes and regulations, and they can provide key guidance with respect to statutes regulating the industry such as the Federal Trade Commission Act, the Dodd-Frank Act, the Credit Card Act, and the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act. Our retail industry attorneys are often called upon for their deep knowledge of local statutes that further regulate the retail industry such as the WV Trade Weights and Measure law, the WV Consumer Credit and Protection Act, and state and local sales tax mandates.
One-Stop Shopping: Jenkins Fenstermaker’s Retail Trade Attorneys Service All Your Legal Needs
Retail industry clients have legal needs far beyond their industry interactions and transactions with consumers. Retail trade entities are employers; many occupy brick-and-mortar locations and must maintain safe premises for both employees and customers; they enter into daily commercial deals with other members of the retail space and outside vendors; and they sometimes need litigation attorneys with experience to respond to lawsuits.
Special Labor and Employment Law Issues
Retailers encounter the same common labor and employment matters as all employers. But because of the nature of the business, retailers often hire seasonal workers, temporary help, and independent contractors. These alternative working relationships add a number of legal issues to a retailer’s plate.
Jenkins Fenstermaker’s specialized labor and employment attorneys understand the challenges retail employers face, and they are ready to counsel clients on employment matters experienced by those in the retail industry. Our labor and employment attorneys have deep experience assisting clients with labor-management relations, providing training to human resources departments, developing and drafting human resources policies, and advising on benefits determinations, wage and hour matters, and regulatory compliance. We also have extensive experience representing employers in workers’ compensation and deliberate intent cases. And when matters cannot be resolved without litigation, we fight for our clients in federal and state courts and before federal and state agencies and administrative bodies.
All Forms of Commercial and Real Estate Transactions
General business and commercial real estate transactions are commonplace in the retail industry, but this doesn’t mean they are simple. Our business and commercial attorneys have years of experience in this area. We help clients with tax issues, securities matters, bankruptcy proceedings, succession planning, and financial situations such as debt servicing, mortgage packages, asset purchases, and mergers and acquisitions. Our retail lawyers also represent clients on a variety of regulatory matters.
Structuring Your Business to Reach Your Goals
Don’t put your business’s chance of success at risk by making uninformed decisions about its business structure. Our business attorneys will help you choose the best business structure for your situation. And after establishing your business structure, our attorneys use sound business judgment to provide ongoing counsel in matters related to corporate governance.
Brick-and-Mortar Locations Need Counsel, Too
Although Internet shopping has become the preferred method for many customers, brick-and-mortar locations continue to be a strong presence in the retail industry. Facilities—retail stores, warehouses, distribution sites, customer service offices, and more—raise land use and zoning issues. Our business and commercial group knows the local laws and landscape and is often sought after to assist clients with investigating, negotiating, and managing land use concerns and disputes, financing transactions, and real estate transactions.
No Need to Shop Around
The experienced retail trade attorneys of Jenkins Fenstermaker have what it takes to attend to the complex needs of retailers so you can concentrate on what you do best. As a full-service law firm, we can also address all of your wider legal services needs. For more information, contact us by calling (304) 523-2100 (or (866) 617-4736 toll-free) or complete our convenient online contact form.