Legal Business Audit and Due Diligence
Professional review of documents, structure, and legal risks of the company — before a transaction, conflict, tax dispute, or major decision.
When a business audit is needed
If the business is already operating but the documents have never been strategically reviewed, an audit can be the first step towards protection.
There is a business, but the documents have not been checked yet.
Corporate documents are created when a business is launched, but they are rarely reviewed as it develops.
Planning to buy, sell a business, or attract an investor?
Due Diligence helps identify risks before a deal, prepare the business for inspection, and strengthen the position of the parties.
There is a conflict between partners or a dispute is brewing.
Analyzing the business structure helps identify the reasons for disputes before they escalate to a legal stage.
Not sure if the documents protect the business
Business structure assessment helps identify weaknesses in control, documentation, and asset protection.
What is included in a legal audit and Due Diligence
The scope of the review is determined by the situation, documents, and client objectives.
01
Corporate documents
Verification of founding documents, Operating Agreement, Bylaws, corporate resolutions, and minutes for compliance with state law and the owner's interests.
02
Partnership agreements
Analysis of agreements between business participants regarding rights, obligations, control mechanisms, and protection in case of conflict or partner exit.
03
Contracts and Obligations
Review of active commercial contracts with clients, suppliers, landlords, and contractors for risks and hidden obligations.
04
Ownership and control
Analysis of the actual distribution of control over the company and assets: who makes decisions, who is responsible, and how the owner's interests are protected.
05
Tax and business risks
Legal assessment of the company's tax position, presence of IRS notifications, risk of personal liability, and compliance with the tax classification structure.
06
Due Diligence in the transaction
Comprehensive legal due diligence of the transaction target before purchase, investment, or merger. Identification of hidden liabilities, litigation risks, and restrictions on asset transfer.
How Grant Law can help
Legal review helps avoid mistakes that can cost a business time, money, and control.
Review of Operating Agreement
Document analysis for control, shares, exit, withdrawal of funds, and deadlock — what is protected and what is not
Partnership strategy
Assessment of negotiation capabilities and evidence base for position formation before the conflict begins
Document preparation
Letters, agreements, liens, and corporate resolutions to establish position and protect the client's interests.
Pre-litigation position
Strategy before a claim, negotiations, or business dispute — risk assessment and preparation for the next step
Exit Strategy
Assessment of business exit and interest division: buyout, dissolution, transfer of shares, or restructuring
Asset Protection
Business, financial, and liability risks — separating personal and corporate in the context of conflict
How a legal audit is conducted
Each stage is aimed at identifying risks, strengthening the owner's position, and preparing a strategy for further actions.
01
Initial consultation
Discussing the request, goals, and risks. Identifying key issues and a preliminary work plan.
02
Document preparation
We review contracts, corporate documents, notifications, and other significant information.
03
Legal analysis
We conduct a legal assessment of the business structure, documents, risks, obligations, and potential consequences.
04
Protection strategy
We present the audit findings, identified risks, and a specific action plan: document corrections, asset protection, negotiations, or deal preparation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a legal audit the same as an accounting audit?
No. An accounting audit checks financial statements. A legal audit is a legal review: corporate documents, contracts, ownership structure, liability risks. It is conducted by a lawyer, not an auditor.
Is it possible to conduct an audit if some of the documents have already been signed?
Yes. Most audits are conducted on already signed documents. The goal is to identify weaknesses and risks in the current situation, not to rewrite history.
What should be checked first?
It depends on the situation. If there is a conflict with a partner — Operating Agreement and corporate documents. If a transaction is planned — Due Diligence of the asset. If a tax notice has arrived — structure and liability. During the initial consultation, we determine the priority.
If there are no documents or they are in poor condition, is there any point in the audit?
Yes, especially in such cases. The absence or inaccuracy of documents is a risk in itself. The audit reveals what needs to be created, restored, or corrected to protect the owner.
Start with a legal risk assessment
Strategic consulting helps to identify where the legal weaknesses are, which documents need to be reviewed, and how to prepare for negotiations or a deal.