Contracts, Compliance, & Counsel: What Do Corporate Lawyers Do?

Key Insights

• Corporate lawyers manage risk and opportunity. They guide businesses through decisions that impact finances, reputation, and growth.
• Their role is both transactional and advisory. Drafting contracts, compliance, governance, and mergers are central to their work.
• They support companies of every size. From limited liability companies to established enterprises, their advice scales with the business.
• Compliance is never static. Federal, state, and international regulations shift constantly, and attorneys keep businesses aligned.
• Trusted counsel builds resilience. At Chehardy Sherman Williams, our attorneys act as an extension of your company, providing trusted solutions when you need them most.

Every business, whether a family-owned startup or a global enterprise, faces legal decisions that shape its future. Contracts must be negotiated, investments must be structured, and operations must be brought into compliance with an ever-changing set of rules. 

Because the stakes are so high, companies often turn to corporate lawyers for guidance. These attorneys bring both legal knowledge and business insight to help organizations operate securely and strategically.

But what exactly do corporate lawyers do? Here’s everything you need to know about their responsibilities, from drafting contracts and advising boards to ensuring compliance across industries.

What Is a Corporate Lawyer?

A corporate lawyer is an attorney who focuses on the laws that govern how businesses are formed, structured, and operated. Unlike litigators, who represent clients in court, corporate lawyers primarily handle transactional and advisory work. Their goal is to help businesses:

• Establish legal entities such as limited liability companies (LLCs) or corporations
• Stay compliant with local, state, federal, and international regulations
• Manage relationships with stakeholders, employees, and shareholders
• Structure transactions that reduce risk and increase value

In short, corporate law includes everything from day-to-day compliance to high-stakes mergers, making these lawyers indispensable advisors, no matter the industry.

What Do Corporate Lawyers Do?

Corporate attorneys turn complex laws into practical strategies, handling the functions that keep companies secure, compliant, and ready to grow.

Drafting and negotiating contracts

Contracts form the legal framework for nearly every business relationship. From hiring staff to leasing office space, these documents define rights, responsibilities, and remedies if something goes wrong. Corporate lawyers don’t just “fill in the blanks.” They anticipate risks, close loopholes, and ensure agreements truly reflect their client’s best interests.

Their work often includes:

• Employment agreements that outline pay, duties, confidentiality obligations, and termination conditions
• Vendor and supplier contracts that lock in pricing, quality standards, and delivery schedules
• Real estate leases and purchase agreements that protect against hidden liabilities and unfavorable terms
• Shareholder and partnership agreements that establish ownership rights, decision-making authority, and exit strategies

Even a single vague or missing clause can trigger expensive disputes or litigation. By negotiating favorable terms and drafting with precision, corporate attorneys provide clarity that reduces conflict, strengthens relationships, and protects the company’s bottom line.

Ensuring compliance with business law

Compliance directly affects a company’s reputation, stability, and ability to grow. Every organization operates within a web of local, state, federal, and sometimes international regulations. Corporate lawyers interpret these rules and translate them into practical policies that keep daily operations legally sound.

This often includes:

• Employment regulations governing wages, benefits, discrimination protections, and workplace safety
• Securities laws for businesses raising capital or managing shareholder interests
• International trade rules for companies involved in import and export
• Environmental and zoning regulations tied to real estate use and development

Without proper oversight, even small compliance missteps can lead to investigations, financial penalties, or reputational harm. Corporate attorneys help businesses anticipate these challenges, update practices as laws evolve, and maintain the trust of regulators, employees, and customers.

Advising on corporate governance

Governance shapes how decisions are made and whose interests are prioritized within a company. Corporate lawyers counsel boards of directors, executives, and shareholders to ensure they understand not only their rights but also their fiduciary responsibilities to the business.

Their work often involves:

• Drafting bylaws and governance policies that set clear rules for decision-making
• Clarifying fiduciary duties, such as loyalty and care, to prevent breaches of trust
• Managing conflicts of interest that could expose directors or officers to liability
• Advising on shareholder voting rights to ensure fair processes and avoid disputes

When governance is handled well, companies reduce the risk of litigation, strengthen leadership accountability, and build the kind of transparency that attracts investors.

Guiding mergers and acquisitions

Growth through acquisitions or mergers can unlock new markets, talent, and revenue streams, but these transactions are also among the most legally complex moves a business can make. Corporate lawyers oversee every stage to make sure the deal creates value rather than unexpected liability.

Their work often includes:

• Conducting due diligence to uncover hidden debts, lawsuits, or regulatory concerns
• Negotiating deal terms that balance opportunity with protection for their client
• Drafting merger and purchase agreements that define pricing, payment structures, and asset transfers
• Securing regulatory approvals to comply with antitrust, securities, and industry-specific rules

Without this oversight, companies risk inheriting problems that can erase the benefits of the deal.

Protecting intellectual property

Ideas, designs, and brand identity often make up a company’s most valuable assets. Without legal protection, those assets are vulnerable to misuse or outright theft. Corporate lawyers safeguard intellectual property by:

• Registering trademarks, patents, and copyrights to formally establish ownership
• Drafting licensing agreements that allow technology, creative works, or brand assets to be shared on favorable terms
• Pursuing enforcement actions against competitors or third parties who infringe on protected rights

Effective IP protection allows companies to innovate confidently and maintain a competitive edge in crowded markets.

Assisting with real estate and venture capital

Growth frequently requires acquiring property, securing leases, or bringing in outside investors, all of which carry significant legal complexity. Corporate lawyers manage these transactions to ensure businesses expand securely and on favorable terms. 

Their responsibilities include:

• Reviewing and negotiating real estate purchase agreements and leases to identify risks and protect client interests
• Advising on zoning, permitting, and land use regulations that can determine whether a project moves forward
• Structuring venture capital deals that balance investor demands with long-term business stability
• Drafting agreements with investors that clarify ownership stakes, rights, and exit strategies

By guiding both property and funding arrangements, corporate lawyers help businesses grow without exposing themselves to unnecessary legal or financial risk.

Providing ongoing legal advice

Most companies cannot employ a full-time general counsel. Instead, they rely on outside lawyers to act as a strategic partner. Corporate attorneys advise on short- and long-term goals, risk management, and emerging legal issues. This ongoing counsel allows business leaders to focus on growth with confidence.

FAQs About Corporate Lawyers

What is the difference between corporate law and business law?

Corporate law focuses on how corporations are structured, governed, and managed, while business law is broader, covering issues that affect all business entities, including partnerships, LLCs, and sole proprietorships. Chehardy Sherman Williams has experienced attorneys in both areas, giving businesses comprehensive support no matter their structure.

Do corporate lawyers represent companies in court?

Most corporate lawyers focus on transactional and advisory work rather than litigation. If a dispute escalates, litigators typically take the lead, while corporate attorneys continue advising on strategy. At Chehardy Sherman Williams, our team includes both corporate lawyers and skilled litigators, so we can represent your business in court when needed.

Can corporate lawyers help startups?

Yes. From forming an LLC to drafting investor agreements and protecting intellectual property, corporate lawyers provide critical support to startups looking to grow on solid legal ground.

How do corporate lawyers help with mergers and acquisitions?

They manage due diligence, negotiate deal terms, and draft the agreements that structure the transaction. Their role is to protect clients from liabilities and make sure the deal delivers long-term value.

Why hire a corporate lawyer if my business is small?

Even small businesses face complex legal issues, from leases and contracts to compliance and taxation. Having outside counsel ensures these challenges are handled correctly and cost-effectively.

Work With Experienced Corporate Lawyers in Louisiana

The legal choices you make today can determine your company’s stability and growth for years to come. Whether you’re negotiating contracts, planning a merger, or protecting your intellectual property, the right attorney ensures every detail is handled with precision. 

At Chehardy Sherman Williams, our business and corporate lawyers have been trusted advisors to companies across Southeast Louisiana since 1989. We provide practical, results-driven counsel to startups, family businesses, and established enterprises alike.

Contact Chehardy Sherman Williams today to learn how our corporate law team can safeguard your business and position it for long-term success.