Business Formations

The Business Formation practice focuses on advising clients on the legal and structural considerations involved in launching a new business or venture. Attorneys in this area assist with entity selection and structuring, drafting formation documents, securing regulatory compliance, and setting up governance frameworks aligned with the client’s strategic, tax, and liability objectives.

Core services include:

  • Entity Selection and Structuring
    • Guidance on choosing the appropriate business entity—LLC, C-Corp, S-Corp, Partnership, Benefit Corporation, or Nonprofit—based on liability protection, tax treatment, investor expectations, and growth plans.
  • Formation Documentation
    • Preparation and filing of articles of incorporation or organization, operating agreements, partnership agreements, corporate bylaws, shareholder agreements, and initial board resolutions.
  • Founders and Equity Arrangements
    • Advising on equity allocation, vesting schedules, founder agreements, and early-stage capitalization, including SAFEs, convertible notes, or initial investment rounds.
  • Tax and Regulatory Compliance
    • Coordination with tax professionals to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal tax regulations; obtaining EINs, business licenses, and regulatory approvals as needed.
  • Governance and Risk Mitigation
    • Establishment of corporate governance structures and internal controls to limit liability, comply with fiduciary obligations, and prepare for future fundraising or exit.
  • Ongoing Counsel and Transitions
    • Continued legal support through early growth, partnership changes, recapitalizations, mergers, or dissolutions.

The following individuals practice in this area:

Joseph Bohling
Rene Del Barco
Jason Henderson
Samuel Karmin
Alexandra Ong
Andrew Toig
Kayla Trafford
James Waite

Meet with us…

We negotiate, document, and provide follow-on legal services for equipment manufacturers, distributors, dealers, and lessors worldwide.

 

Over many years, our attorneys have successfully negotiated, documented, and closed a vast array of business transactions, including manufacturer-dealer relationships as well as business purchases, sales, leases, and financing transactions throughout North America and in over 20 countries.

 

To schedule a consultation with one of our experts, please complete form below.

Joseph E. Bohling, Esq., is a distinguished legal professional with a dynamic career spanning prestigious automotive OEMs, global manufacturers, educational and healthcare institutions, private equity, venture capital, and publicly traded companies. Recognized as a thought leader in global business strategy and human capital development, Joseph has served as a top global Legal-Human Resources-Total Rewards officer and premier Executive Coach to corporate senior leadership.

Having successfully fulfilled CEO, COO, CHRO, and In-House Counsel roles for organizations ranging from Global 1000 corporations to small and midsize companies, he has consistently catalyzed transformative growth across diverse sectors including manufacturing, professional services, and healthcare. 

Mr. Bohling’s practice focuses on the following:

 
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Rene Del Barco is a University of Puget Sound Coolidge Otis Chapman Honors Program graduate. He received a Bachelors of Science in Biochemistry and two minors in Bioethics and Mathematics.

 

While at the University of Puget Sound, he was the three-year captain of the Varsity Men’s Tennis Team, the President of the Interfraternal Council, and he completed biochemical research on the synthesis of Bismuth Nanoparticles.

 

Rene received numerous awards and recognitions while at the University of Puget Sound such as the Roderick MacArthur Award for excellence in Presentation of the Honors Thesis and the Robin Hamilton Award for Attitude and Effort which led his team to achievement. He has professional experience in the healthcare industry as an operating room technician, an emergency medical technician, and a construction site medical technician. 

 

Rene is fluent in both English and Spanish and conversational in French.

 

Mr. Del Barco works with our attorneys in the following areas: 

 

He can be reached via telephone at (866) 582-2586 and via email at RDB@jwlinternational.com

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Jason Henderson, Esq. is a corporate and transactional attorney with over twenty years of experience handling complex transactions in media and IP licensing and distribution as well as product counsel and service agreements for Fortune 500 companies. A Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US), Mr. Henderson is recognized for his expertise in technology and media personalization, and is listed as the inventor on several patents in streaming technology and real-time AI.

Mr. Henderson earned his BA in History from the University of Dallas and his Juris Doctor from the Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law. He currently serves as a commissioner with the Littleton Historical Preservation Commission.

Beyond his legal practice, Mr. Henderson is the co-founder of Castle Bridge Media, publisher of the popular Castle of Horror Anthology series, has written for Electronic Arts and Marvel Comics, and has had multiple books optioned for film.

Mr. Henderson’s practice focuses on the following:

 

Jason can be reached at JDH@jwlinternational.com

Samuel J. Karmin is a graduate of the University of Michigan, where he earned both a Bachelor of Information Sciences from the School of Information and a Master of Business Management from the Ross School of Business. He is currently pursuing his Juris Doctor at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, where he is in pursuit of joining the National Trial Team and is a member of the Jewish Law Students Association.

 

Prior to law school, Sam built a robust career in financial planning and analysis, most recently serving as a Senior FP&A Analyst for Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group and Funding Circle LLC. In those roles, he led financial modeling, budgeting, and strategic decision-making for diverse business lines. Earlier in his career, Sam co-founded Concession Cups LLC, a sustainability-focused startup, and served as a financial consultant at Guidehouse Inc., where he advised large healthcare systems on revenue cycle improvements and EMR implementation strategies.

 

Sam has also held a data analytics internship with Kirkland & Ellis LLP and holds advanced certifications in financial modeling and valuation. His experience spans both corporate and consulting environments, equipping him with a unique perspective on business strategy and operational efficiency.

 

Mr. Karmin works with our attorneys in the following areas:

 

 

He can be reached via telephone at (866) 582-2586 and via email at SJK@jwlinternational.com.

Alexandra Ong is a J.D. graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Originally from Fort Worth, Texas, she earned her B.B.A. in Management with a Pre-Law focus and a Certificate in International Business Studies from Mays Business School at Texas A&M University, graduating magna cum laude.

 

While in law school, Alexandra served as the Senior Editor for Race to the Bottom, the university’s business law blog. She also served as a student attorney in the Community and Economic Development Clinic, where she provided pro bono legal counsel to nonprofits and small businesses. Alexandra is also a published contributor to Colorado Evidence Courtroom Manual (2024–2025 and 2025–2026 editions).

 

Since joining JWL in 2023, Alexandra has worked on a range of complex matters and is experienced in international legal research, contract drafting, and regulatory analysis.

 

Ms. Ong works with our attorneys in the following areas:

She can be reached via telephone at (866) 582-2586 and via email at ALO@jwlinternational.com

Andrew Toig, Esq. serves as Of Counsel to JWL International, where he specializes in complex domestic and international commercial transactions and outside general counsel services. 

Mr. Toig’s practice spans equipment, telecommunications, secured transactions, international business law, corporate governance, and technology partnerships. He brings extensive experience in contract drafting and negotiation, regulatory compliance, and risk management, delivering pragmatic legal solutions that balance business objectives with risk mitigation.

A graduate of Duke University School of Law, Mr. Toig contributes significant in-house corporate experience. He previously served as Associate Corporate Counsel for DISH Network and as Legal Fellow with Denver Water’s Office of General Counsel, where he advised on water rights, infrastructure development, and compliance matters.

A Colorado native and graduate of Colorado College, Mr. Toig founded the Law Students for Accessibility organization at Duke Law School and remains active in advocacy as a member of the Colorado Disability Bar Association. He serves as a board member of the Colorado Insurance Council and is an active member of the Greater Englewood Chamber of Commerce and Colorado State Bar Association.

In addition to the focuses below, he also has knowledge in: Regulatory Compliance and Risk Management, Contract Drafting and Negotiation, Corporate Governance Matters, and Privacy and Data Security.

Mr. Toig’s practice focuses on the following:

Mr. Toig can be reached at (866) 582-2586 or ART@jwlinternational.com

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Kayla Trafford, Esq. is a corporate and transactional attorney who earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Originally from Phoenix, Arizona, she graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Arts in Law and a minor in Business Administration.


Before joining James Waite Law, Kayla served as an in-house legal intern for a corporation and held law clerk positions at several business and real estate law firms. Through these roles, she developed a strong foundation in entity formation, mergers and acquisitions, and the drafting and review of commercial contracts.


During law school, Kayla distinguished herself as a member of the Community Economic Development Clinic, a transactional law clinic providing pro bono legal support to small businesses and nonprofit organizations in the Denver area. Her exceptional work in the clinic earned her the Outstanding Student Lawyer Award. Additionally, she contributed to The Race to the Bottom, a student-faculty blog that examines trends and updates in corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, securities law, tax law, and other corporate law topics.


Ms. Trafford’s  practice focuses on the following


She can be reached via telephone at (866) 582-2586 and via email at KRT@jwlinternational.com

James R. Waite, Esq., is a corporate and transactional attorney with over 30 years of experience in buying, selling and leasing businesses, equipment and real estate. Mr. Waite has served as General Counsel, CEO, CFO and COO for companies ranging from airlines to equipment lessors. He wrote the American Rental Association’s book on rental contracts and has been published over 100 times in various national and international publications, including Equipment World, RER Magazine, International Rental News, Rental Magazine, ForConstructionPros and the Atlanta Journal Constitution.  He also routinely presents at industry association conferences. Mr. Waite is a veteran of the United States Air Force, has a BBA in Finance from the University of Texas at San Antonio, a Juris Doctor from St. Mary’s University, and an MBA from Northwestern University.

 

Mr. Waite’s practice focuses on the following:

 

He can be reached via telephone at (866) 582-2586 or via email at JRW@jwlinternational.com

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