Holmes Business Law PC

Holmes Business Law PC Philadelphia Business Lawyer helps with contracts, trademarks, buying franchises and start ups. Philadelphia Small Business Lawyer Sarah E.

Holmes

Attorney Sarah Holmes is the Managing Attorney at Holmes Business Law, P.C., a Philadelphia-based law firm that helps new and existing business owners establish solid legal foundations for growth.

Your employee handbook says you give three warnings before termination. You fired someone on the first offense. Guess wh...
08/28/2026

Your employee handbook says you give three warnings before termination. You fired someone on the first offense. Guess which document their lawyer opens first.

Most handbook problems aren't missing policies. They're policies that promise more than you meant to promise — a discipline process written like a guarantee, a "permanent employee" reference, an at-will statement buried on page 40.

And a policy you don't actually follow is worse than no policy at all.

If your handbook came from a template, is more than a year or two old, or predates your first hire in another state, it's worth an hour of someone's attention.

Employees in PA or NJ? The full breakdown is on the blog, and you can book a client interview from there.

https://phillysmallbusinesslawyer.com/business-success-tips/employee-handbook-pennsylvania-new-jersey/

"It's non-binding." That's what everyone says about a letter of intent. It's also how people end up bound.Most LOIs are ...
08/26/2026

"It's non-binding." That's what everyone says about a letter of intent. It's also how people end up bound.

Most LOIs are non-binding on the big stuff — price, terms, whether the deal happens at all. But the exclusivity clause, the confidentiality clause, and the who-pays-what clause usually ARE binding. Those are the ones nobody reads.

An exclusivity period means you've agreed to stop talking to other buyers or sellers for 60 or 90 days. That's a real commitment, made at the exact moment you know the least about the other side.

Sign the LOI knowing which parts you can walk away from and which parts you can't.

Buying or selling a business in PA or NJ? The full breakdown is on the blog, and you can book a client interview from there.

https://phillysmallbusinesslawyer.com/business-success-tips/non-binding-letter-of-intent/

08/21/2026

Selling your business? The buyer is going to want you to sign a non-compete — and it needs to be specific about geography, industry, and time, or it can create problems for you later if you want to start something new.

A non-compete tied to the sale of a business gets treated differently than one in an employment contract, but it still needs the right scope.

Buying or selling in PA or NJ? Book a client interview.

08/19/2026

Thinking about selling in the next year or two? The businesses that sell for the best price aren't scrambling — their financials are clean, their contracts are actually signed (not just verbal), and their key employees aren't a mystery to a buyer's lawyer.

Start that cleanup 12-18 months before you list, not after an offer comes in.

Selling in PA or NJ? Book a client interview.

If you're buying a business, how often is the listing price the number you actually pay at closing?In our experience, ra...
08/17/2026

If you're buying a business, how often is the listing price the number you actually pay at closing?
In our experience, rarely.
That's because once you get into diligence, there's likely things to uncover that affect the asking price.

08/17/2026

Buying a business? Before you get anywhere near closing, get in writing: the full employee list and classifications, all contracts (signed and unsigned), the last 3 years of financials, and any pending disputes or claims. If a seller hesitates to hand any of that over, that's information too.

PA or NJ acquisition? Book a client interview.

08/15/2026

Had a client relationship go sideways lately? Or something you've been meaning to get looked at but keep putting off?

That feeling is usually right. A contract that's been bugging you, a classification question, a deal you're circling but haven't called anyone about — this is a good week to deal with it instead of carrying it into next month.

Book a client interview.

When you buy a business, it's rare to not need the existing staff to stick around.Even in an asset purchase, you could b...
08/14/2026

When you buy a business, it's rare to not need the existing staff to stick around.
Even in an asset purchase, you could be inheriting long-standing employment problems.
Make sure your diligence is top notch.

08/13/2026

Every seller says they'll stick around to help with the transition. Most of them mean it.

Put it in writing anyway: how many hours a week, for how long, doing what specifically, paid or included in the price, and what happens if they stop showing up. A seller who's mentally already gone by June isn't much of a resource in August — that's not bad faith, it's just human. Which is why it belongs in the agreement.

Buying or selling in PA or NJ? Book a client interview.

There's no bright line rule, just a muddle of alphabet soup, with ABC tests and other opaque factors.The truth is, no on...
08/12/2026

There's no bright line rule, just a muddle of alphabet soup, with ABC tests and other opaque factors.
The truth is, no one can tell you with certainty how any government agency might view your 1099s.
If you have any doubt, consult with an attorney to get an idea of your risks.

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1515 Market Street Suite 1200
Philadelphia, PA
19102

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 6pm
Tuesday 9am - 6pm
Wednesday 9am - 6pm
Thursday 9am - 6pm
Friday 9am - 6pm

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