Business & Commercial Law

Business Law Attorneys in Huntsville, AL

Legal counsel for entrepreneurs, partnerships, and established companies across North Alabama, from forming an LLC and negotiating contracts to resolving partner disputes and commercial litigation.

Request a Consultation 256-533-5770

Every contract you sign, partner you bring on, employee you hire, and transaction you close creates legal responsibilities. When an agreement falls apart or a commercial dispute threatens your finances, the right counsel changes how the situation ends.

Johnston Moore & Weston advises entrepreneurs, small business owners, partnerships, and corporations throughout Huntsville and North Alabama. We help with LLC formation, business contracts, commercial disputes, and corporate transactions, so you understand your options and can make informed decisions.

Business disputes can interrupt operations, strain key relationships, and create unexpected financial exposure. Addressing them early helps protect your ownership interests, contractual rights, and day-to-day operations.

Our Practice

Business Law Services in Huntsville, Alabama

Businesses face different legal questions as they grow. We advise companies through formation, daily operations, ownership changes, and disputes, always with practical options under Alabama law.

Business Formation & LLCs

Entity selection, LLC and corporation formation, and operating agreements that define ownership and control.

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Business Contracts

Drafting, reviewing, negotiating, and enforcing the agreements your business depends on.

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Litigation & Disputes

Breach of contract, partner and shareholder conflicts, and commercial claims in state and federal court.

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Transactions & Corporate Law

Buying or selling a business, ownership transfers, and due diligence before you commit.

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Compliance & Ongoing Counsel

Guidance on governance, registrations, and the legal side of everyday business decisions.

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Commercial Debt Collection

Recovering unpaid invoices, notes, and guaranteed debts through demand, negotiation, or litigation.

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01Formation

Business Formation & LLC Legal Services

The wrong ownership structure or a missing agreement can cause problems long after opening day, especially when several people contribute money, equipment, property, or services.

LLC Formation and Registration in Alabama

An LLC offers management flexibility and a degree of separation between business liabilities and personal assets. Forming one does not protect owners from every type of liability, though. Personal guarantees, certain wrongful conduct, and other circumstances can still create personal exposure.

We help entrepreneurs and established owners evaluate business structures, prepare organizational documents, and set clear terms for ownership and management.

Alabama LLC formation and organizational documents
Entity selection and ownership structure
Corporation formation and governance documents
General and limited partnership agreements
Operating agreement drafting and review
Ownership contributions, voting rights, and authority
Buy-sell provisions and succession arrangements

Why your LLC needs a well-drafted operating agreement

Even close partners can disagree over spending, responsibilities, distributions, or direction. A strong operating agreement sets how profits and losses are allocated, how members vote, who can sign contracts, how deadlocks are broken, and how ownership transfers when someone wants out. If you are starting an LLC in Huntsville, Madison, Athens, Decatur, or elsewhere in North Alabama, we can help you settle these questions before they affect your operations. Learn more about our business formation and LLC services.

02Contracts

Business Contracts & Agreements

A contract looks simple until a payment is missed, a deadline slips, or a key term is read two different ways. Clear agreements set expectations and give you a path forward when a relationship goes wrong.

Contract DraftingAgreements that define responsibilities, financial terms, and obligations.
Contract ReviewFinding unclear terms, hidden liabilities, and provisions that disadvantage you.
Vendor & Supplier AgreementsPricing, delivery, performance, and payment terms.
Service AgreementsScope, deadlines, compensation, and termination rights.
Partnership & Ownership AgreementsThe legal responsibilities and expectations of owners.
Commercial LeasesContract issues for commercial landlords and business tenants.
NDAs & ConfidentialityProtecting how confidential business information is used.
Contract DisputesEnforcing or defending your rights when a breach is alleged.

What happens when someone breaches a business contract?

A breach can be a customer refusing to pay, a supplier failing to deliver, or a company ending a relationship contrary to the agreement. The right response depends on the contract language, the evidence, and the remedies available. Some disputes resolve through negotiation; others require formal action. Before you withhold payment, terminate, or sue, have an attorney review your own obligations under the agreement. Read more about breach of contract claims in Alabama.

03Litigation

Business Litigation & Commercial Disputes

We represent business owners, partners, shareholders, lenders, suppliers, contractors, and commercial landlords in Alabama state and federal courts.

Breach of ContractUnpaid obligations, nonperformance, and disputed terms.
Partnership & Shareholder DisputesOwnership rights, management, distributions, and misconduct.
Business Sale DisputesPurchase agreements, representations, and asset transfers.
Buyer & Seller DisputesGoods, deliveries, and payment obligations.
Commercial Landlord-TenantBusiness leases, rent obligations, and property agreements.
Construction DisputesContractors, subcontractors, suppliers, and project owners.
Business TortsWrongful acts that cause financial injury in a commercial setting.
Manufacturer & Distributor DisputesDistribution agreements and commercial relationships.
Creditor & Debtor LitigationUnpaid commercial debts and related obligations.
Trade Secrets & ConfidentialityMisuse or disclosure of protected business information.

Partnership & Shareholder Disputes

Owner disputes are uniquely disruptive because the parties may still have to run the company together. One partner may suspect another of misusing funds, withholding records, or acting without authority. We examine the operating agreement, corporate documents, financial records, and the owners' legal duties. Resolution may mean renegotiating management, arranging a buyout, or seeking relief in court.

Negotiation, Mediation & Trial

Not every dispute needs a courtroom. Negotiation or mediation can resolve a disagreement with less expense and disruption, and some contracts require a specific process. When settlement is not possible or your rights are at risk, we are prepared to litigate. We weigh the facts, the law, the likely costs, and the available remedies with you before choosing a path.

Facing a commercial lawsuit or a dispute with a business partner?

Call 256-533-5770

Notable Result

Holding Companies to Their Promises

$3M

Stock Bonus Recovery

An employee was awarded $3 million in stock after a company failed to honor its promise.

Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. See more notable cases.

04Transactions

Business Transactions & Corporate Law

Buying a company, selling a family business, bringing in an investor, or transferring ownership involves far more than the price. Contracts, pending claims, debts, leases, and intellectual property all affect value and risk.

Business Purchase & Sale Agreements

A sale may include equipment, inventory, customer contracts, business names, real estate interests, or ownership shares. Buyers and sellers must also settle how existing obligations are handled and what representations and warranties are made. We review and negotiate purchase agreements, examine records, and prepare closing documents scaled to the size of the deal.

Ownership Transfers & Corporate Changes

Asset purchases and sales
Stock and LLC membership interest transfers
Merger and acquisition agreements
Shareholder agreements and governance
Buy-sell agreements and succession planning
Restructuring and organizational changes

Why due diligence matters before you buy

A business can look profitable while carrying liabilities that are not obvious. Reviewing the legal documents before closing can surface pending lawsuits, contracts that cannot be transferred, lease obligations, and other issues. Due diligence does not remove every risk, but it gives you the chance to investigate, negotiate protections, or walk away. Coordinate with your accountant on tax and financial review.

05Ongoing Counsel

Compliance & Ongoing Legal Advice

Hiring, signing a lease, expanding, switching suppliers, or adding a partner can all create new obligations. Legal issues are easier to manage when they are caught early.

Reviewing business policies and governance documents
Evaluating legal risk in commercial contracts
Clarifying ownership, management, and decision-making roles
Reviewing registration and compliance obligations
Responding to legal notices and commercial demands
Agreements with vendors, contractors, and partners
Legal planning for expansion or restructuring

06Creditors' Rights

Commercial Debt Collection & Creditors' Rights

Unpaid commercial debts strain cash flow, payroll, and vendor relationships, and waiting can make collection harder if a debtor's finances change.

We represent businesses in commercial debt disputes involving unpaid invoices, promissory notes, personal guarantees, equipment transactions, construction contracts, commercial leases, and debts from business sales. Some matters involve disputed balances or defenses to payment; others require litigation or enforcing an existing judgment.

We review the contract and evidence, evaluate the claim, and explain collection options under Alabama law, from a formal demand to a lawsuit.

If a customer files for bankruptcy, the automatic stay generally pauses collection efforts and different rules apply. Learn more about how bankruptcy works in Alabama.

Timing

When Should You Call a Business Law Attorney?

Many owners wait for a demand letter or a lawsuit. The most important decisions often come earlier, when a company is formed, an ownership deal is struck, or a major contract is signed.

Starting an LLC, corporation, or partnership
Adding a partner or transferring ownership
Negotiating a major vendor, service, or construction contract
Buying or selling an existing company
Disagreeing with partners or shareholders
Facing a claim that your company breached an agreement
Trying to recover an unpaid commercial debt
Responding to a business lawsuit or demand letter
Reviewing policies or governance procedures
Planning a major restructuring or transaction

North Alabama

Business Lawyers Serving Huntsville and North Alabama

Huntsville's economy runs on aerospace, defense, technology, construction, manufacturing, retail, and professional services. Each industry brings its own contracts and risks: a contractor chasing a subcontractor payment, a tech company protecting confidential information, or co-founders disagreeing over control.

Johnston Moore & Weston is based in downtown Huntsville and represents business clients across North Alabama, and handles matters for companies and individuals elsewhere in the state.

Why Johnston Moore & Weston

Counsel That Accounts for the Whole Business

A new entrepreneur needs different guidance than a company defending a lawsuit. We represent individuals and businesses in Alabama state and federal matters, and we weigh litigation costs, ongoing relationships, and the effect on your employees and operations, not just the immediate dispute.

Start with the factsWe review the circumstances and identify the real legal issues before recommending a course.
Practical optionsNegotiated agreement or courtroom representation, matched to your business goals.
Local and establishedMore than 70 years serving Huntsville and North Alabama from downtown Huntsville.

Resources

Business Law Insights From Our Attorneys

Contracts

FAQ

Business Law Questions, Answered

What does a business law attorney in Huntsville do?

A business law attorney helps owners and companies with formation, contracts, ownership rights, transactions, and disputes. That can include drafting an LLC operating agreement, reviewing commercial contracts, representing a company in a lawsuit, or resolving a partnership disagreement.

Do I need an attorney to form an LLC in Alabama?

Alabama does not generally require an attorney to form a standard LLC. Legal guidance is valuable when choosing a structure, drafting an operating agreement, or setting the rights of multiple owners.

How do I start an LLC in Huntsville, Alabama?

Reserve an available business name, appoint a registered agent, and file a Certificate of Formation with the Alabama Secretary of State. You may also need local licenses and tax registrations. An operating agreement is strongly advisable to document ownership and management.

Can a business lawyer help with a breach of contract?

Yes. An attorney can review the agreement, evaluate whether a party failed to perform, and explain your remedies, which may include demanding performance, negotiating a resolution, or filing suit.

What should I do if my business partner is misusing company funds?

Preserve financial statements, bank records, ownership agreements, and communications. Avoid steps that could violate your own agreement. An attorney can evaluate the evidence and the owners' legal duties and advise whether negotiation, an accounting, or litigation is appropriate.

Can business disputes be settled without going to court?

Often, yes, through negotiation, mediation, or arbitration, depending on the contract and the dispute. When a voluntary resolution is not possible, litigation may be needed to enforce your rights.

Can an attorney help me buy or sell a business?

Yes. An attorney can review purchase and sale agreements, conduct legal due diligence, and handle ownership transfers, which is especially important when a deal involves debts, leases, pending disputes, or complicated ownership.

What legal documents should a small business have?

Common documents include an operating, partnership, or shareholder agreement; vendor and service contracts; confidentiality agreements; buy-sell agreements; and commercial leases. The right set depends on your structure and operations.

What if a commercial customer refuses to pay an invoice?

Options may include a formal demand, settlement negotiations, or a lawsuit. First review the agreement and whether the customer is disputing the amount or raising a defense.

How much does a business law attorney cost?

Fees depend on the service, the complexity, and the expected work. Drafting a straightforward agreement is billed differently than complex litigation. We discuss scope and billing during your consultation.

Protect What You've Built

Whether you are launching a company, negotiating a major agreement, or responding to litigation, talk with a Huntsville business law attorney before you make a decision you can't undo.

Call 256-533-5770 Request a Consultation

256-533-5770

120 Holmes Avenue Northeast, Suite 200
Huntsville, AL 35801-4830

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Johnston Moore & Weston represents individuals throughout North Alabama in communities such as Huntsville, Madison, Decatur, Birmingham, Cullman, Gadsden, Anniston, Scottsboro, Athens, Fort Payne, Albertville, Boaz, Guntersville, Stevenson, Rainsville, Arab, Hartselle, Russellville, Muscle Shoals, Florence, Sheffield, Bridgeport, and Moulton, as well as Madison County, Jackson County, Limestone County, Dekalb County, Marshall County, Morgan County, Cullman, Etowah, Lauderdale, Colbert, Franklin and Lawrence County.

No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.