Business Lawyer Serving
Columbus, GA

Running a business in Columbus takes vision, grit, and many moving parts. Whether you’re growing a family company, launching a startup, or managing complex contracts, having the right legal guidance can make all the difference. At Battleson Law Firm, we advise local businesses to protect what they’ve built and plan for what’s next, with practical advice that actually makes sense for how you operate.

Mark Battleson didn’t come up through the usual legal path. Before starting his firm, he spent years in investment banking and corporate leadership, sitting on the other side of the table from most lawyers. That experience gives him a different perspective, one that blends business reality with legal know-how. When you talk to Mark, you’re not getting a lecture in legal jargon. You get clear answers, a thoughtful strategy, and a partner who gets what’s at stake.

Battleson Law is here to help your business move forward confidently, from setting up your first LLC to navigating a major acquisition. As a business attorney serving Columbus, our goal is simple: make the law work for you, not against you, so you can focus on running and growing the business you’ve worked hard to build.

Our Comprehensive Practice Areas

Business / Corporate Law

Starting or growing a business means making big decisions, and every one of them matters. Those choices can determine everything from taxes to future growth for small business owners in the area. The wrong choice today can create costly problems down the road. That’s why it helps to have a corporate attorney serving Columbus who can explain your options clearly and help you make decisions that truly fit your goals.

• Business and Commercial Disputes: Disagreements are an inevitable part of doing business, but how you handle them can shape your company’s future. At Battleson Law, we don’t just look at contracts and court filings; we look at the bigger picture. Every dispute carries financial, operational, and reputational weight. We dig into the facts, assess the risks, and find practical solutions, whether through negotiation, mediation, or litigation. We focus on resolving disputes efficiently while maintaining productive relationships between parties whenever possible.
• Real Estate and Real Estate Investment Disputes: Real estate isn’t just about buying or selling property; it’s about navigating layers of contracts, zoning rules, and development complexities. We handle disputes involving leases, construction, property rights, and investment projects of all sizes. Our approach blends deep local insight with sound legal strategy to resolve conflicts efficiently and protect the long-term value of your assets. Whether you’re a developer, investor, or commercial property owner, we help you confidently move forward.
• Non-Compete, Non-Solicit, Non-Disclosure & Trade Secrets: Your people and ideas are the heart of your business, and protecting them matters. We help employers create and enforce agreements that safeguard confidential information, trade secrets, and client relationships while staying fair to employees. When a competitor crosses the line or an employee violates a restriction, we act quickly to contain the damage and uphold your rights. We also represent professionals who face overly broad or unfair non-compete agreements, ensuring they can move forward in their careers legally and confidently.
• Employment Discrimination: Even the best workplaces can face discrimination claims. We help businesses stay ahead of problems by building strong internal policies, training programs, and documentation systems. If a complaint arises, we guide you through the investigation process, respond to agencies, and defend your position with professionalism and discretion. Our approach protects both your company’s reputation and the respectful culture you’ve worked hard to create.
• Wage and Overtime Disputes (FLSA—Employee Compensation): Wage and hour laws can be a minefield for even the most well-intentioned employers. We help you comply with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and other wage laws, from properly classifying employees to managing overtime pay. If a dispute or audit occurs, we move quickly to minimize liability and correct any compliance gaps. We focus on practical, proactive solutions that keep your business on the right side of the law and treat your team fairly.

Business / Corporate Law

Running a business means making decisions that matter, from how you structure your company to how you handle contracts, financing, and growth. At Battleson Law, we provide guidance that connects legal strategy with real-world business goals. Our approach to business law near Columbus goes beyond paperwork; we help you understand how every choice affects your future success, your bottom line, and the people who rely on you.

• Outsourced General Counsel: Think of us as your on-call legal department. We help business owners navigate day-to-day legal questions, major contract negotiations, and long-term strategy, all without the cost of a full-time attorney. With a trusted legal partner just a call away, you can focus on running your business instead of reacting to problems.
• Entity Formation: Choosing between an LLC, S-Corp, or C-Corp isn’t just a formality; it’s a foundational decision that shapes taxes, liability, and funding opportunities. We walk you through each option, explain how they work in plain language, and set your business up with a structure that supports growth and stability.
• Franchise Attorney: Franchise documents can be confusing and full of fine print. We break it down for you, reviewing your Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), identifying risks, and helping you negotiate terms that make sense. Whether you’re opening your first location or exiting a franchise, we protect your investment every step of the way.
• Business Contracts: Every deal depends on clear agreements. We draft and review contracts that protect your interests while keeping relationships productive. You’ll understand what you’re signing and why it matters, so there are no surprises later.
• Business Transactions: Buying or selling a business is exciting but complex. We handle due diligence, deal structure, and negotiations to protect you. Whether it’s a local acquisition or a larger multi-state transaction, we make the process straightforward and transparent from start to finish.
• Startup / Entrepreneur: Launching a startup in Columbus takes more than a good idea; it takes solid legal groundwork. We help founders protect intellectual property, structure ownership, and build agreements that prevent disputes down the road. Our advice is practical, affordable, and tailored to the realities of growing a business here.
• Buying / Selling a Business: If you’re expanding through acquisition or selling the company you’ve built, you need an experienced hand managing the details. We oversee the entire process, from valuation and negotiation to closing, ensuring that your financial and legal interests are secure every step of the way.
• Corporate Finance: Securing funding can accelerate your business, but also limit your flexibility if the terms aren’t right. We help you evaluate loans, investors, and equity opportunities, negotiate fair terms, and protect your ownership interests. With the right structure, you can grow without giving up control.
• ATM Business Attorney: The ATM industry operates under strict regulations, especially regarding cash handling and compliance. We help operators in the area navigate federal and state laws, draft clear placement and processing agreements, and perform due diligence when scaling or buying routes.
• COAM (Coin Operated Amusement Machines) Lawyer: Georgia’s COAM businesses face unique licensing and compliance challenges. We guide clients through obtaining Class A or B licenses, creating compliant agreements, and responding to enforcement actions, helping you avoid costly penalties and maintain smooth operations.
• Insurance Law: Insurance coverage is supposed to protect your business, not create more problems. We hold insurers accountable when they delay or deny valid claims, pursue coverage aggressively, and review policies to identify and fix gaps before they become liabilities.

Commercial Real Estate & Finance

This city is growing fast, from revitalized downtown properties to new industrial and retail developments along the outskirts, in a market that is this active, every real estate decision counts. A single lease clause, financing term, or partnership detail can shape your bottom line for years. At Battleson Law, we provide practical, strategic guidance in corporate law near Columbus, helping business owners, investors, and developers make smart moves in every phase of commercial real estate and finance.

• Commercial Leasing: A commercial lease can be one of your company’s biggest commitments. We look beyond rent to identify hidden costs like CAM charges, renewal traps, and personal guarantees that can create long-term risk. Whether you’re leasing a small storefront or an entire complex, we negotiate terms that give you flexibility, predictability, and protection from unexpected expenses.
• Finance / Debt & Equity: Good financing isn’t just about securing funds; it’s about structuring them wisely. We help clients obtain loans, bridge financing, joint ventures, and private equity investments that align with project goals and real-world timelines. Our approach focuses on practical deal terms: repayment schedules that work, fair risk-sharing, and capital structures designed for lasting growth.
• Construction Contracts & Dispute Resolution: Every construction project involves surprises, such as delays, design changes, and cost overruns. We help you prepare for these. Our team drafts clear contracts that set expectations early and build protections when things go wrong. If disputes arise, we move quickly through negotiation, lien claims, or litigation to protect your rights and keep your project moving forward.
• Investment Partnership / Entity Structuring: Real estate partnerships thrive on clarity. We create joint venture and investment agreements that spell out how decisions are made, how profits are shared, and how exits work, all while minimizing tax and liability risks. Whether it’s a two-person partnership or a multi-investor development, we help you build ownership structures that last.
• Purchase and Sale Agreements: In a competitive market like Columbus, a strong purchase and sale agreement can mean the difference between a smooth closing and a costly setback. We draft and negotiate contracts safeguarding your interests through every step of due diligence, financing, and title review. From commercial buildings to large-scale developments, we ensure every term supports your long-term goals.

New Loans, Refinancings & Loan Workouts

Capital keeps a business alive, but the wrong loan can just as easily drain it. Whether you’re applying for your first commercial loan, refinancing to free up cash flow, or trying to restructure debt that’s become difficult to manage, Battleson Law can help. Our work focuses on helping companies secure fair financing, avoid risky terms, and stay protected from predatory lending practices. We bring a practical, real-world understanding of how financing decisions affect your short-term stability and long-term goals.

• Commercial Loans: There’s no one-size-fits-all commercial loan. Every term, from covenants to guarantees, can impact your flexibility and financial health. We review loan documents closely to spot risks, like hidden default triggers or overly restrictive terms, and negotiate changes that protect your assets. Our guidance helps business owners secure financing that supports growth without unnecessary risk.
• SBA Loans: SBA loans can be a powerful tool for growing your business, but the process can feel overwhelming. We simplify it. From preparing your application to explaining personal guarantees and eligibility requirements, we confidently help you move through the SBA process. You’ll understand every term before you sign to access favorable rates and long repayment terms without the headaches.
• General Franchise Loans: Financing a franchise takes careful planning and strong documentation. Lenders want to see more than good credit; they want a clear business plan, franchisor stability, and a solid operational roadmap. We help franchise owners structure funding that supports startup costs, multi-unit expansion, and long-term profitability, all while staying aligned with your franchise agreement.
• Commercial Real Estate Loans: Financing commercial property in Columbus requires understanding the market and the lenders serving it. We help you evaluate terms, negotiate better loan structures, and minimize personal exposure. Whether you’re acquiring an office building, opening a retail location, or expanding your property portfolio, we make sure your loan supports your business strategy, not the other way around.
• Loan Default Workout: When debt becomes overwhelming, we help clients explore realistic solutions, from loan workouts to restructuring options that can help you avoid bankruptcy and preserve business stability. We’ve helped countless business owners negotiate loan workouts that buy time, reduce payments, and avoid foreclosure. From forbearance agreements to payment deferrals, we work directly with lenders to find realistic solutions that protect your business, preserve relationships, and prevent unnecessary losses.
• Default Lease Agreements & Lease Disputes: A lease dispute can quickly disrupt operations. We help tenants and landlords in Columbus find fair, workable solutions, from renegotiating rent to restructuring lease terms based on current market conditions. And when a landlord breaches the lease or acts unfairly, we step in to enforce your rights and protect your investment.

Why Businesses Trust Our Business Law Firm Near Columbus

Beyond Traditional Legal Service

What sets Battleson Law apart is perspective. Before leading our corporate and business law practice, Mark Battleson spent years as an executive making the same hard calls you face: when to take on new debt, how to structure a deal, and when to push back or walk away. That real-world experience gives our firm a rare business mindset in traditional law offices. Our expertise comes from real business experience, not just legal training. We’ve been in the boardrooms, negotiations, and markets that shape business decisions every day.

Mark’s credentials speak for themselves: a law degree from Emory University School of Law and an MBA from the University of Michigan. However, what truly sets him apart is his time in the trenches. He’s negotiated complex real estate and finance deals, managed capital markets for national developers, and lived with the results of those legal choices years down the road. At Battleson Law, we bring that same level of insight and accountability to every client relationship.

A Strategic Partner, Not Just a Law Firm

When you work with Battleson Law, you don’t get lost behind layers of associates or billed for unnecessary overhead. You get direct access to experienced attorneys who understand your business and communicate clearly. We offer practical guidance, not legal jargon, because your time and resources matter. We focus on efficiency, transparency, and long-term partnership built on trust and real results.

Accessible and Invested in Your Success

We know timing can make or break a deal, so accessibility is a priority. Our firm maintains offices throughout Georgia, including a presence near Columbus, making it easy to meet when it matters most. Whether you need fast document review, strategy input before a major closing, or ongoing legal counsel as your company grows, Battleson Law is here to move at the speed of your business.

Our Process: Strategic Legal Support That Grows With Your Business

At Battleson Law, our work doesn’t stop at corporate formations or commercial contracts. We take a long-term, partnership-based approach, helping businesses navigate the full range of legal and financial challenges that come with growth and change.

• Securities and Investment Matters: Raising capital or structuring investments requires more than legal paperwork; it demands insight into how markets and regulations actually work. With Mark Battleson’s background in investment banking and venture capital, we help clients understand complex securities laws, manage private placements, and confidently build investor relationships.
• Family Business Transitions: For family-run companies, legacy matters just as much as profit. We help business owners design smooth succession plans, create buy-sell agreements, and structure transitions that protect both family harmony and business value. Our approach blends practical legal planning with sensitivity to the personal dynamics involved.
• Banking and Finance Relationships: Whether you’re securing financing for expansion or resolving issues with a lender, we know what’s at stake because we’ve been on both sides of the table. Our corporate lawyers serving Columbus bring experience representing borrowers and financial institutions, helping you negotiate favorable terms, prevent disputes, and maintain strong banking relationships supporting your long-term success.

Ready To Connect? Let’s Meet And Discuss Your Needs

Your Columbus business deserves more than one-size-fits-all legal advice. Whether planning a major transaction, facing a potential dispute, or simply wanting trusted counsel on call, Battleson Law provides the clarity, strategy, and real-world insight your business needs to move forward confidently.

We make it easy to get started. Call 404.382.8149 or visit our website to schedule a complimentary consultation. We’ll discuss your situation, share how we can help, and determine whether we fit your goals. The conversation is free, but the right legal partner can make all the difference in your company’s future.

Don’t wait until a legal matter turns into a major problem. Early advice can often save your business time, money, and unnecessary risk.