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Counselor. Advisor. Committed To Your Business.

At the SJS Law Firm, we are committed to the success of you and your organization.


Providing individualized service that is tailored to the unique needs of you and your business, we provide the legal support you need to move forward with confidence, secure in the knowledge that you have a legal team watching out for your best interests.


Serving small business owners, entrepreneurs and non-profits, we are here to assist you in all legal aspects of your venture.

Shavon J. Smith

Our Mission Is To Partner With Clients As Part Of Their Team To Help Them Achieve The Business Of Their Dreams And Plans With Timely And Strategic Legal Advice

Our firm works with clients throughout Washington DC, Prince George’s County, Maryland and the surrounding areas. We offer a range of cost-effective services designed to address all facets of your business, including entity formation, employment matters, contracts, intellectual property, compliance and legal strategy. Our job is to protect you and help you plan for the future by spotting emerging legal trends, allowing you to focus on running and growing your business.


We care about the overall trajectory of your business, not just the legal issues we are called on to solve. We will work closely with you to understand your business and your goals, and customize our services to help you achieve those goals. By delivering creative and proactive solutions and making complicated legal issues easy to understand, we ensure that you have the information and tools you need to be as effective as you can be.

Please contact our firm to discuss your business legal needs. We look forward to helping you build a strong, profitable enterprise.

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Recent Blog Posts

By Shavon Smith 13 Mar, 2024
March heralds a celebration of women's achievements, particularly in the entrepreneurial arena. With over 7 million women-owned businesses flourishing across the United States, it's evident that women are driving forces in the economic landscape. States such as Washington, D.C., and Maryland, along with cities like Detroit, proudly host significant percentages of women-owned enterprises, showcasing the rich diversity of female entrepreneurship. The collective receipts of women-owned businesses tally an impressive $1.2 trillion, underscoring their substantial economic influence. Notably, African American women-owned firms contribute significantly, generating a substantial $36.8 billion in revenue. As Women's History Month draws to a close, it's an opportune moment to shine a spotlight on the Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) program, which serves as a gateway for women entrepreneurs to engage with the federal government. In 2012 alone, WOSBs clinched contracts totaling $16.2 billion, constituting four percent of all small business federal contracts. The potential for growth and opportunity in this sector is vast. Whether you're an established entrepreneur or just embarking on your journey, delving into this market could catalyze transformative growth for your business. Never underestimate the potential for your business to thrive in the government contracting sphere. Federal and state governments annually procure a vast array of goods and services, offering abundant opportunities for women-owned businesses to flourish. So, who qualifies for the WOSB program? The criteria are clear-cut: the business must meet the Small Business Administration's (SBA) definition of small, with at least 51% ownership and control vested in one or more U.S. citizen women. Control extends beyond mere day-to-day operations to encompass long-term strategic planning as well. Certification serves as the gateway to accessing WOSB contracts. Whether through self-certification or third-party certification by governmental agencies or approved entities, obtaining WOSB status is pivotal for participating in contract bidding. Numerous industries stand eligible for WOSB contracts, particularly those where women-owned businesses are underrepresented or substantially underrepresented. From residential construction to transportation and design, a broad spectrum of opportunities awaits women entrepreneurs. Thankfully, a wealth of resources exists to guide women business owners through the intricacies of bidding on government contracts. Organizations such as the Women's Business Enterprise National Council, the National Association of Women Business Owners Corp., and the Small Business Administration's Office of Government Contracting offer invaluable assistance and support. If you're a small business already engaged in government contracts or aspiring to secure them, legal counsel can prove invaluable. We at The SJS Law Firm, PLLC are here to offer personalized legal assistance tailored to your business's unique needs. Reach out to us at 202-505-5309 or info@thesjslawfirm.com for expert guidance on navigating the complexities of government contracting.
By Shavon Smith 15 Feb, 2024
Even though the new year is in full swing, if you haven’t already – it’s still a prime opportunity and time to assess and revitalize your business plans and objectives for 2024. Consider the following four actions to position your business for success in the New Year and beyond: Stay Informed About Regulatory Changes: Annually, regulatory agencies make decisions impacting businesses. Ensure compliance with these changes to avoid potential civil and criminal penalties. The SBA is a good place for business owners to review all relevant laws. Meanwhile, check out our quarterly update sent to client’s last fall. Evaluate Business Achievements and Challenges: Take this moment to analyze your business performance, examining whether you achieved revenue targets and improved aspects like employee relations. Review internal practices to ensure optimal business operations. Explore Growth Opportunities: After confirming compliance and updating internal management, set new business objectives for 2024. Develop strategies to achieve sales goals, enhance client satisfaction, and improve employee retention.Establishing these targets provides clear direction for your team throughout the year. Coordinate with Professionals: Schedule meetings with your attorney, insurance agent, and tax professional. Facilitate communication between these professionals to ensure comprehensive financial planning. Review tax documents, ensure adequate insurance coverage for business assets, and address any potential risks.Completing these tasks early in the new year positions your business for a successful 2024.
By Shavon Smith 13 Feb, 2024
Post-pandemic, many small businesses are still reeling from the effects of isolation, shortages, and inflation. Early studies suggest interpersonal skills have declined for Americans in the wake of COVID-19. Today’s climate is heavy for various reasons, and as a result, many business and personal relationships are suffering under that weight. But even if your small business faces challenges outside its control, this doesn’t mean you can’t take control of building and strengthening your business relationships – and as any good business owner will tell you - business is all about relationships. As we celebrate Valentine’s Day, love your business by exploring ways to strengthen business partnerships and relationships. First Date – Business Formation Just as you wouldn’t swipe right without reading a dating profile, careful consideration of business partners can make or break the success of a partnership. Many presume a common goal or complementary skill sets will make for good partners, but a business partnership is much more and can be as delicate as any romantic relationship. Remember these important steps for ensuring strong business partner relationships: Clearly define each partner’s role and responsibilities and revisit this over time – what makes sense in the beginning may change over the life of the partnership Determine how decisions will be made (e.g., vote) Determine how disagreements will be handled Determine how profits are divided Determine the percentage of ownership for each partner (e.g., 50/50 or 56/44) Determine buyout procedures or dissolution practices in the event of death or split Determine procedures for addressing disputes and deadlock - this is critical in 50/50 partnerships. Honeymoon Stage – Engaging with Your Business Ecosystem A business ecosystem includes your suppliers, distributors, and even your competition. Here are some basic principles for maintaining a healthy business ecosystem: Consider engaging with a diverse range of contacts. Is a major supplier going out of business? Keeping a broad list of contacts can help avoid foreseeable pitfalls. Use Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data to your advantage. Spending time analyzing sales data, purchase data, and reviews can help save time and money. AI tools can further help manage data and can even make projections for sales or “what if” scenarios. Networking and attending conferences, trade shows, or events can help directly advertise your business to members of your ecosystem. There may even be a local association or special interest group for your small business to join. Keeping Things Interesting – Gaining and Retaining Clients Everyone knows the customer isn’t always right, but establishing a connection with consumers of your product or patrons of your service can help increase business. Here are some ways to connect with clients: A social media page can engage customers or clients. An active online presence can make way for positive reviews and increased business. Even negative reviews can help small companies to improve and identify areas where they fall short. Increasing ways to communicate with clients, vendors, or patrons can help your business mitigate mishaps. For instance, drafting a detailed return policy can help businesses make matters right with customers while also protecting the business from fraud and other damages. Consider establishing a mailing list or building a phone app if you don’t already have one. The more ways to communicate, the better. Send out periodic surveys to understand your client’s pain points or how they rate your goods and services. When things go wrong in any of your business relationships, seek legal counsel. Whether you need assistance forming or dissolving a small business or with policies or legal matters for an existing business, please contact us at 202-505-5309 or info@thesjslawfirm.com to book a consultation.
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