At The Law Offices of Paul H. Appel, we deliver end-to-end counsel: entity formation and governance, operating agreements and bylaws, contract drafting and negotiation, vendor and client agreements, employment and contractor documents, commercial leases, mergers and acquisitions, compliance calendars, and risk management. From startups in Brick and Lakewood to established firms in Toms River and Jackson, our goal is simple—make legal processes support cash flow, growth, and clean execution.

We match structure to ownership, taxes, funding, and exit plans—then handle NJ filings with the Division of Revenue, secure your EIN, draft operating agreements or bylaws, and set annual-report reminders. For owner-operators in Barnegat, Stafford Township, and Point Pleasant, we add buy-sell provisions, transfer restrictions, signature authority, and equity or profit-share terms so banks, payroll, insurance, and accounting align with your governance from day one.

Beyond base rent and CAM, shore-adjacent leases should address seasonal hours, percentage rent, storm or flood contingencies, build-out and maintenance obligations, insurance, signage, assignment/subletting, and local zoning or boardwalk rules. We negotiate provisions for Seaside Heights, Point Pleasant Beach, and LBI locations that reflect real weather risk, utility constraints, parking, deliveries, and event traffic—so your operations aren’t derailed mid-season.

Yes. We draft and negotiate construction contracts for owners, GCs, and subs; address pay-apps and change orders; manage lien rights and payment disputes; and advise on permitting and environmental issues. For coastal projects, we plan for flood zones, dune rules, CAFRA-related constraints, and DEP expectations, aligning scope, scheduling, and risk allocation so shore builds proceed with fewer delays and cleaner documentation.

We prioritize commercial outcomes through structured negotiation, mediation, and arbitration—especially for partnership, shareholder, vendor, and lease disputes. Our approach clarifies facts quickly, models real exposure, and proposes settlements tied to cash-flow reality. If litigation is necessary, we protect your interests in New Jersey courts while keeping settlement paths open to control cost and preserve relationships.