Business & Taxation Practice Group

Business & Taxation Law Lawyers

Our Business & Taxation Law attorneys focus on serving the needs of Northwest businesses and entrepreneurs, and have extensive experience serving as legal counsel throughout the many life stages of business

Our Services

Entity Selection & Formation

We walk our clients through the selection of an entity within which to do business including sole proprietorship, limited liability company, or corporation. We prepare organizations' documents and file them with necessary governmental agencies.

Sales & Acquisitions

A substantial potion of our practice is assisting clients through all aspects of business acquisitions including structuring, documentation, and closing.

Joint Ventures and Strategic Alliances

We help our clients negotiate, draw up and review contractual agreements in establishing a joint venture or strategic alliance.

Corporate Governance

We act as outside general counsel to many companies, advising on governance, policies, and processes. We help to create the framework for our clients' companies and management teams and strive to balance the interests of the company's stakeholders.

Succession Planning & Business Transitions

We walk our clients through business transitions and succession planning, whether the transition is to a family member or an employee. We assist in evaluating tax consequences, drafting agreements, including buy-sell agreements, purchase agreements, and help our clients build a successful transition strategy. We also coordinate your transition plan with your estate planners and financial advisors.

Contract Negotiation & Drafting

We draft contracts for our clients, review and advise on existing contracts, and negotiate contract terms.

Intellectual Property & Licensing

We work with our clients in evaluating and protecting trademarks, copyrights, and other intellectual property. We also negotiate and draft licensing agreements.

Our Business & Taxation Law Team

Partner
Caleb Williams

Caleb A. Williams provides counseling to businesses of all sizes and types, and has significant experience working with family-owned businesses. He assists business clients from their initial organization to sale or disposition, and with the variety of other matters that a business faces in its life cycle. As a member of the firm’s Agri-Business and Winery and Vineyard Industry Teams, Caleb has particular experience assisting clients in these industries and is active in industry associations and continuing education.

Associate
Eric Tweed

 Eric advises clients with businesses of all types and sizes. He draws on his background in non-profit management to assist non-profit organization clients of all kinds. As a musician and songwriter, Eric enjoys advising clients in the creative industries on how best to protect the art they create. Similarly, Eric also advises many of the firm’s clients on trademark and copyright matters.

Partner
Douglas Alexander

Doug Alexander helps clients solve problems and complete transactions. His practice is focused on advising clients as they buy and sell businesses, form and operate legal entities, and work through complex legal and business matters. Doug works closely with family-owned businesses and assists them in transitioning businesses from one generation to the next.

Associate
Nicole Burke

As an attorney in the firm’s Business and Taxation group, Nicole’s practice focuses on assisting businesses and business owners with a variety of legal needs. Nicole has watched numerous friends and family members struggle as they attempt the entrepreneurial life without the assistance of legal counsel. These experiences have made Nicole passionate about bolstering her clients’ success, including through the avoidance of pitfalls and unnecessary risks.

Partner
Wayne Kinkade

Wayne Kinkade’s practice is focused on business law and health law. Typical engagements involve business sales and acquisitions, business management, taxation and advising healthcare professionals. Wayne is licensed to practice in both Oregon and Washington.Wayne is AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated with Martindale-Hubbel®.

Testimonials

Excellent lawyers who are easy to work with, practical in their approach, and diligent in getting the job done. I have had many positive experiences working with their lawyers on different matters.

Wayne Kinkade exemplifies the best in our legal community!

I have worked with this firm on a number of occasions. I have found them to be knowledgeable and professional. Their breadth of experience was valuable as they assisted with the legal matters I brought to them. 

Philosophy

Our Business & Taxation attorneys work with businesses and business owners within the Northwest’s most prominent industries, including agriculture, wood products, manufacturing, real estate development, software, health care, and non-profit organizations. With services ranging from forming business entities to contract review, to complex sales, and acquisitions, the corporate lawyers at Saalfeld Griggs understand all avenues and aspects of starting, running, and transitioning a business. Lawyers in this group also assist clients in making business decisions that minimize adverse tax consequences, and they work closely with clients’ accountants in tax planning and disputes. The Business & Taxation Group collaborates closely with lawyers from other firm practice groups to deliver fully integrated business solutions for their clients.

Why Saalfeld Griggs?

Saalfeld Griggs is a respected business law firm with clients in Oregon, the Pacific Northwest, and beyond. Founded in Salem in 1932, the firm is large enough to handle complex litigation and business transactions, yet small enough to develop close working relationships with its clients. Lawyers in each group have developed a thorough understanding of the legal issues that arise in their particular practice group, allowing them to provide firm clients with highly effective and innovative legal strategies and solutions. When a client’s legal issues are complex enough to cross-practice groups, the teams work together to share their expertise. The goal of the firm is to learn about each client’s business, understand their needs and goals, and efficiently develop a practical and cost-effective legal strategy.