Business Lawyer in Montreal for New and Growing Companies

Amar Legal Inc. is a Montréal business law firm for owners who want one firm for the whole life of their company. We incorporate new businesses, review commercial leases, draft shareholders agreements and contracts, help owners buy or sell a small business, and stay on as ongoing legal support once the company is up and running, for start-ups, entrepreneurs and small and mid-sized companies across Quebec.

What a business lawyer does for a new company

In the first year, a business lawyer helps you avoid the mistakes that are expensive to fix later. For a new Montréal company, that usually means:

• Incorporating the company and setting up its shares and minute book
• A shareholders agreement between founders or partners
• Reviewing the commercial lease for your first location
• Customer, supplier and service contracts, and terms and conditions
• Employment and contractor agreements, with confidentiality and intellectual property clauses
• Making sure your name, contracts and documents respect Quebec’s French-language rules

We start with what is urgent for your business and build the rest as you grow.

Incorporation and commercial real estate in one firm

Many new businesses need two things at once: a company, and a place to operate from. Amar Legal handles both corporate law and commercial real estate, so the same firm can incorporate your company and review your commercial lease.

This matters more than it seems. The lease should be signed by the right entity, the personal guarantee should be limited where possible, and the lease should allow you to assign it if you sell the business later. When one firm sees both files, these details line up from the start. Our team also advises on real estate acquisitions, dispositions, financing and co-ownership.

Buying or selling a small business in Montreal

Buying or selling a business is often the largest transaction an owner will make. We act for buyers and sellers of small and mid-sized businesses from the first offer to closing:

• Letter of intent: setting the price, structure and key conditions before the deal is drafted
• Share purchase or asset purchase: choosing the structure, with your accountant, that fits the tax and liability picture
• Due diligence: reviewing contracts, leases, employees, permits, debts and disputes
• Purchase agreement: representations and warranties, price adjustments, holdbacks, non-competition and transition support
• Closing: lease assignments, consents, financing documents and the transfer of the business

For sellers, we also help prepare the business for sale, so that buyers find clean records and contracts during due diligence.

Ongoing legal support after you incorporate

Once the company is running, most legal needs are steady rather than dramatic: a new contract to review, an employee to hire, a supplier dispute, the annual resolutions, a new shareholder or a bank loan. We act as ongoing outside counsel for owners who want a lawyer who already knows their business.

For companies that need more regular support, we also offer strategic and fractional in-house counsel services, so you get the advice of a legal team without hiring one full time. We generally respond within one business day.

Financing and banking for growing companies

Growth usually needs money: a bank loan, a line of credit, equipment financing or a new investor. We review loan agreements and security documents before you sign, explain the covenants and personal guarantees involved, and negotiate terms where possible. When an investor comes in, we prepare the share issuance and update the shareholders agreement so the new arrangement is properly documented.

Keeping your company in good standing

A company that is not maintained properly can run into problems when it needs to borrow, sell or bring in a partner. We keep the corporate housekeeping in order:

• Annual resolutions of the directors and shareholders
• The minute book, share register and register of directors
• Annual declarations and updates to the enterprise register
• Changes of address, directors, officers or shareholders
• Corporate reorganizations as the business grows

This is often where ongoing legal support adds the most value: small tasks done on time, so the company is always ready for the next transaction.

Contracts every new business needs

Good contracts prevent most business disputes. We draft and review the agreements a growing company relies on:

• Customer and service agreements, and online terms and conditions
• Supplier, distribution and licensing agreements
• Confidentiality and non-solicitation agreements
• Employment and independent contractor agreements
• Partnership and joint venture agreements

In Quebec, standard-form contracts must now be provided in French first, under the Charter of the French Language as amended by Bill 96. We make sure your contracts meet these rules.

Why businesses choose Amar Legal

• Business and real estate focus. Founder Gabriel Amar (B.C.L./LL.B., McGill University; Quebec Bar, 2018) previously served as legal counsel and strategic advisor to one of the largest private real estate organizations in Canada.
• A team that covers the whole business. Lawyers Kelsey Solomon and Nicoletta Saviolidis (Quebec Bar, 2021) advise on commercial leasing, acquisitions, dispositions and real estate financing.
• Who we work with. Start-ups, entrepreneurs, small and mid-sized businesses, real estate investors, hotel operators and family offices.
• Quick and reachable. We generally respond within one business day, in English or French.

Frequently asked questions

Related services

• Incorporation lawyer in Montreal
• Shareholders agreement lawyer
• Commercial lease lawyer in Montreal