At Graft & Walraven, we help entrepreneurs and families establish limited liability companies and other business entities that provide both flexibility and protection. We advise on the pros and cons of different structures, prepare formation documents, and file with the Oklahoma Secretary of State to ensure compliance with state law. For new businesses, we draft operating agreements that set out how the company will be managed, how profits will be distributed, and how disputes will be resolved. These documents reduce confusion and protect owners from unnecessary liability.
Once a business is formed, it requires ongoing care to remain in good standing. We provide annual maintenance services, prepare minutes and resolutions, and file the necessary annual reports with state agencies. By staying ahead of filing requirements, we protect companies from penalties, dissolution, or loss of limited liability protection. For family-owned businesses, we also prepare shareholder and member agreements that define rights and responsibilities. With these agreements in place, families can focus on running the business rather than fighting over how it should be managed.
Business growth often involves buying or selling assets, merging with another company, or restructuring ownership. Our attorneys guide clients through business asset sales and purchases, as well as full entity transfers, drafting contracts that protect both buyers and sellers. We negotiate terms, conduct due diligence, and handle closings to make sure transactions move forward smoothly. For more complex arrangements, we assist with statutory mergers, business combinations, and acquisitions, helping clients expand while minimizing risk.
Tax planning is another critical part of transactions. We advise on like-kind exchanges under IRS Section 1031, which allow businesses to defer capital gains taxes when reinvesting in new property. We also represent clients in tax-free reorganizations, ensuring that structural changes comply with federal rules while providing financial advantages. Our attorneys are experienced in coordinating with accountants and tax professionals so that every transaction is structured for maximum benefit.
Real estate is often central to business operations. Whether buying office space, industrial property, or farmland, we prepare and review real estate sales and purchase agreements, clear title defects, and ensure compliance with lending and zoning requirements. We also draft and negotiate commercial lease agreements for landlords and tenants, protecting clients from hidden liabilities while ensuring leases meet the needs of their business and limit exposure to unnecessary liability.
Contracts are the backbone of every business, and our attorneys provide both preventive counsel and dispute resolution services. We draft and negotiate contracts tailored to client needs, from supplier agreements to service contracts. We also review third-party contracts to ensure our clients are not unknowingly accepting unreasonable obligations. When disputes arise, we represent clients in collections and breach of contract claims, pursuing recovery of amounts owed or defending against improper demands.
Construction companies and contractors face unique challenges, and we represent them in filing and defending mechanics and materialmen’s liens, pursuing construction bond claims, and resolving disputes over nonpayment or defective work. Our attorneys handle selective construction litigation, working to resolve disputes efficiently so that projects can move forward without costly delays. We also assist with vacating streets, alleys, and easements when development requires clearing old public rights-of-way. By addressing both contract creation and enforcement, we provide comprehensive support for businesses at every stage.
Many of our clients operate family businesses that they want to preserve for future generations. We assist with family business succession planning, creating structures that allow ownership to pass smoothly while preserving management continuity. By combining trusts, LLCs, and tailored agreements, we reduce the risk of conflict and preserve both the business and the family relationships behind it. Our attorneys provide counsel on funding and reorganizing family LLCs to ensure they continue to meet the family’s goals as circumstances change.
Business disputes are sometimes unavoidable, even with the best planning. Our attorneys can provide representation in contract disputes and business litigation, combining practical negotiation skills with strong advocacy in court. We pursue solutions that protect client interests while being mindful of cost and time. With decades of combined litigation experience, we are prepared to defend our clients’ rights in court when necessary, but we also understand the value of negotiated resolutions that preserve business relationships.
For more than fifty years, Graft & Walraven has been trusted by Oklahoma businesses to provide comprehensive legal counsel. From start-ups to established family companies, we offer guidance on formation, contracts, transactions, real estate, litigation, and succession. With offices in Clinton, Weatherford, and Oklahoma City, we serve clients across the state with a combination of technical legal skill and practical business insight.