--- title: Tampa General Counsel Services | Business Transactions & Counseling | Cook Law description: Looking for ongoing legal support for your business? Cook Law provides general counsel services throughout Florida, from contracts and formation to transactions and employer guidance. --- [Skip to main content](https://www.cooklawfla.com/general-counsel#main-content) **Give Us a Call: [813-489-1001](tel:+18134891001)** [![full logo](https://www.cooklawfla.com/hs-fs/hubfs/full%20logo.png?width=200&height=33&name=full%20logo.png) ![full logo](https://www.cooklawfla.com/hs-fs/hubfs/full%20logo.png?width=200&height=33&name=full%20logo.png) ![full logo](https://www.cooklawfla.com/hs-fs/hubfs/full%20logo.png?width=200&height=33&name=full%20logo.png) ![full logo](https://www.cooklawfla.com/hs-fs/hubfs/full%20logo.png?width=200&height=33&name=full%20logo.png)](https://www.cooklawfla.com?hsLang=en) - [Show submenu for Practice Areas Practice Areas](https://www.cooklawfla.com/practice-areas) - [Business + Commercial Litigation](https://www.cooklawfla.com/business-litigation) - [Employment Law](https://www.cooklawfla.com/employment-law) - [General Counsel Services](https://www.cooklawfla.com/general-counsel) - [Why Choose Us](https://www.cooklawfla.com/why-cook-law) - [Insights](https://www.cooklawfla.com/blog) Open main navigation Close main navigation - Show submenu for Practice Areas Practice Areas - Practice Areas - [Practice Areas](https://www.cooklawfla.com/practice-areas) - [Business + Commercial Litigation](https://www.cooklawfla.com/business-litigation) - [Employment Law](https://www.cooklawfla.com/employment-law) - [General Counsel Services](https://www.cooklawfla.com/general-counsel) - [Why Choose Us](https://www.cooklawfla.com/why-cook-law) - [Insights](https://www.cooklawfla.com/blog) - [Request Consultation](https://www.cooklawfla.com/request-a-consultation) [Request Consultation](https://www.cooklawfla.com/request-a-consultation?hsLang=en) # Tampa General Counsel Services As experienced litigators who've handled matters across nearly every area of business law, Cook Law brings this breadth of knowledge to guide your business through anything, from a quick question to a full legal crisis, all from one relationship. **SERVING TAMPA BAY AND BEYOND** ## New risks come up as your business grows, and having experienced counsel already in your corner means you're never starting from scratch when they do. ## Practice Areas We Can Help You In Explore our general counsel services.  #### Business Formation & Structure *Guidance on choosing the right entity type and drafting the governing documents that protect it.* #### Contract Drafting & Review *From vendor agreements to internal policies, clear contracts prevent costly disputes down the line.* #### Buying or Selling a Business *Legal guidance through every stage of a business transaction, from valuation to closing.* #### Employment Agreements *We draft and review employment agreements, including executive-level contracts and non-competes. [Click here to see how we handle employment agreements and disputes](https://www.cooklawfla.com/employment-litigation?hsLang=en).*  #### Crisis Management *When something unexpected happens, having counsel who is already deeply familiar with your business means faster access to guidance and a better chance at successful resolution.* ![clients choosing cook law tampa](https://www.cooklawfla.com/hs-fs/hubfs/clients%20choosing%20cook%20law%20tampa.png?width=800&height=800&name=clients%20choosing%20cook%20law%20tampa.png) ## Why Clients Choose Cook Law For General Counsel **Senior-Level Judgment From Day One** Every client has direct access to our senior attorney with 30+ years of experience, no jumping through hoops required.  **Trial-Ready Strategy When You Need It** When a crisis arises, we take it seriously. Every case is treated like it's headed to trial and that readiness changes how the other side negotiates, so you get better terms whether the case settles or goes to court. **A Genuine Relationship With Your Legal Team** We want to know you, and for you to know us. We are selective with the cases we take to ensure you get the 1:1 attention you deserve. [Meet Our Team](https://www.cooklawfla.com/why-cook-law?hsLang=en) ## What Our Clients Say "I’ve had the pleasure of working with Bill Cook for nearly 16 years on a variety of business related legal matters, and I can’t say enough good things about Bill and his team. Bill has helped me navigate some challenging and complex situations over the years, always providing sound legal advice, professionalism, and peace of mind. His assistant and office staff have consistently been responsive, knowledgeable, and incredibly helpful. As a business owner, having an attorney you can trust and rely on is invaluable, and Bill has been exactly that for me. I’m truly grateful for our longstanding relationship and would highly recommend Bill and his team to any business owner seeking exceptional legal counsel." **Joshua, Tampa** "Bill Cook is an amazing attorney! I used him in a business litigation. Bill was very fair and did a great job navigating me through the whole process from beginning to end. His pricing structure was very fair and no surprises. I would highly recommend his services." **Name Name** *A&S Granite* "Bill Cook did a great job representing me negotiating my noncompete agreement from a bank in the Orlando area. He was very professional, well organized and responsive to all my requests. I would highly recommend his legal services." **Rich O'Brien** "Superlatively talented attorney. I cannot recommend him highly enough." **Daniel Tampa** ## Your Path Forward Starts Here STEP 1 #### Request a Consultation We start by listening, so we understand exactly what you're facing.  [Submit your request](https://www.cooklawfla.com/request-a-consultation?hsLang=en) STEP 2 #### Identify Your Best Course of Action Together, we shape a strategy that fits your case, your appetite for risk, and your bottom line. STEP 3 #### Confidently Navigate Toward Resolution With senior-level judgment by your side, you move forward knowing you're headed toward the best outcome for you. ## Frequently Asked Questions ##### What business structure is right for my company? It depends on factors like how much control you want to retain, your tax situation, and the liability protection you need. Common structures include sole proprietorships, partnerships, LLCs, and corporations, each with different tradeoffs. A sole proprietorship offers the most simplicity but the least liability protection. We do not handle tax issues, but we can work with your accountant in deciding the best option for your business. ##### What documents do I need when forming a business? Typically, articles of incorporation, an operating agreement, a shareholder agreement, and bylaws, depending on your entity type. Having these clearly written from the start prevents disputes over control and ownership down the line. ##### What's involved in buying or selling a small business in Florida? Generally, an independent business valuation, negotiation over price and terms, due diligence, drafting the necessary legal paperwork (purchase agreements, bills of sale, non-compete agreements, and more), a pre-closing review, and closing. It's more involved than most people expect, even for a small business. ##### What legal issues should I watch out for when selling my business? If you're selling a business, you should be aware of potential legal issues that may arise. A few of the most common issues often involve the following three situations. 1. Confidentiality agreement. During the due diligence process, the buyer needs to have full access to the business's financial and other records. You should ask the buyer to sign a confidentiality agreement before allowing them to view this information. 2. Indemnification. The buyer may ask you to indemnify the sale or take financial responsibility for any claims arising from an event that occurs before the close of the sale. 3. Continued employment. Buyers will often ask a seller to stay on with the business for some time after the sale and assist with the transition. The specific terms of this should be set out in the sale contract. ##### What legal issues should I watch out for when buying a business? If you are in the market to purchase a business, there are legal issues you should consider. Most of these issues involve one or all of the following matters. 1. Non-compete agreement: You may want the seller to sign a non-compete agreement to prevent them from immediately opening a competing business. 2. Assets included in the purchase agreement: All the assets of a business must be expressly listed in the purchase agreement to ensure they form part of the sale. 3. Due diligence: Due diligence is a complex and potentially lengthy process that should be undertaken by a qualified professional to ensure nothing is missed. ##### What rights do employers have in Florida? Employers can generally set hiring criteria, establish company policies, determine pay, require overtime with proper compensation, and monitor employee use of company equipment within certain limits.  ## Facing an employment dispute? Let's talk it through. [Request Consultation](https://www.cooklawfla.com/request-a-consultation?hsLang=en) [![full logo](https://www.cooklawfla.com/hs-fs/hubfs/full%20logo.png?width=800&height=133&name=full%20logo.png)](https://www.cooklawfla.com?hsLang=en) Cook Law is based in Tampa, Florida and helps business owners resolve high-stakes disputes throughout Florida and the United States. - [Practice Areas](https://www.cooklawfla.com/practice-areas) - [Business + Commercial Litigation](https://www.cooklawfla.com/business-litigation) - [Employment Law](https://www.cooklawfla.com/employment-law) - [General Counsel Services](https://www.cooklawfla.com/general-counsel) - Quick Links - [Insights](https://www.cooklawfla.com/blog) - [Why Choose Us](https://www.cooklawfla.com/why-cook-law) - Get In Touch - [Request a Consultation](https://www.cooklawfla.com/request-a-consultation) - [General Contact Information](https://www.cooklawfla.com/contact-us) *The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established.*   [Terms of Use](https://www.cooklawfla.com/terms-of-use?hsLang=en) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.cooklawfla.com/privacy-policy?hsLang=en) | [Cookie Policy](https://www.cooklawfla.com/cookie-notice?hsLang=en) | [Anti-Spam](https://www.cooklawfla.com/anti-spam?hsLang=en)   ©2026 Cook Law. All rights reserved. Website by [Sparked](https://sparkedinbound.com/).