Practice Areas
Our expertise. Your solutions.
Handford Smirle offers a wide range of legal services. Please explore our practice areas to see how our firm can help you.
Corporate Law
Handford Smirle LLP can advise you on various elements of corporate law, including:
- Initial choice of the legal form of business among proprietorship, partnership (including limited liability partnerships) and corporation
- Incorporation and structuring
- Reorganizations of existing entities
- Equity financing and other forms of financing in new or existing businesses
- Shareholders’ Agreements, Partnership Agreements, Joint Venture Agreements
- Annual corporate maintenance and acting as registered and records office
In particular we are often engaged to assist with complex tax-driven corporate reorganizations, often involving the implementation of a family trust as part of the structure. We often do such work on a project-specific basis, such that if you already have corporate lawyers with whom you are comfortable, but those lawyers are not versed in the type of specialized reorganization required, we will document and implement the reorganization, and then return all corporate books and records to your existing lawyer. You do not need to permanently change firms in order for us to advise on and/or implement such a plan.
Business Purchase & Sale
Handford Smirle LLP can advise and assist with the purchase or sale of businesses, from the initial letter-of-intent stage, through due diligence, drafting and negotiation of definitive purchase/sale agreements, preparation of all auxiliary documentation (including all relevant corporate materials), and on to final price adjustments.
We can also assist with determining the best form of purchase/sale (i.e. asset vs. share transaction), negotiation and documentation of financing (including vendor financing, bank financing, and general security agreements), and, when acting for the purchaser, optimal structuring of the purchasing vehicle, whether that is to be a British Columbia company, a British Columbia unlimited liability company, a partnership, or a proprietorship.
Conversely, if you are a business owner who wishes to sell in order to retire or to move onto other opportunities, we can ensure that you are aware of your options, and can help you structure the sale of your business so as to maximize the proceeds you receive.
We also act for both franchisors and (potential and actual) franchisees in relation to granting and acquisition of franchise rights.
Regardless of the type of business you intend to buy or sell, we can advise you in a practical and efficient manner.
Banking Law
Handford Smirle LLP can advise you on, and assist you with, various elements of banking law, acting for both the lender and borrower, including:
- Negotiating and drafting loan and credit agreements
- Preparing documentation related to financing arrangements, including general security agreements, guarantees, mortgages and other security
- Registration, extension, and discharge of security interests under the Personal Property Security Act and in the Land Title Office
Real Estate Conveyancing
We regularly assist clients with purchase or sale conveyancing of homes and commercial property, mortgage documents, title searches, and other services.
Our conveyancing team is knowledgeable and experienced and works closely with Mortgage Brokers and Realtors to deliver results in a stress-free manner.
Wills & Estates
The lawyers of Handford Smirle LLP have helped many clients to implement estate plans, including the preparation of wills, representation agreements, powers of attorney and other specialized estate planning documents. We also work with executors and families in probating wills and administering and settling of estates with practical insight and understanding of the legal considerations.
Each individual’s circumstances merit careful consideration in order to structure their planning in such a way that their final wishes are carried out. Careful thought must be given to current legislation the effect of recent court cases on their estate and prevailing legal interpretations.
