Legal Services for Veterinarians

Helping veterinarians focus on what really matters in their practice.

Interested in Setting up a consultation?

Give us a call at 614.602.6550
email at contact@aacolpa.com

Read More

You’ve decided to set out on your own and open a veterinary practice or you have legal questions about your existing business or you are changing jobs or getting your first job in the veterinary field. You know how you want to improve the lives of animals and their caretakers, but the legal and business side of owning or working in a veterinary practice can be extremely complex. Whether you are new to this industry or you are ready to take your experience into the world of business ownership, hiring a veterinary lawyer is key to making the most of your time, avoiding legal pitfalls, and meeting state and local regulations. The team at Arenstein & Andersen Co., LPA can help you in a variety of ways.

Call us today at call (614) 602-6550 or submit your information through our online contact form. We will use our experience and knowledge to help you at any stage of your veterinary practice.

Formation or Acquisition of a Veterinary Practice

If you are planning on building your veterinary practice from the ground up, it is key to know how to open a practice, choose the right business entity, and file the correct paperwork. This process can be overwhelming, as you must meet state requirements while figuring out financing and advertising needs.

You might also choose to become a veterinary owner by purchasing an existing practice. Our team is ready to help you throughout the process, from making an offer and negotiating to doing due diligence and ensuring that the transition goes smoothly.

Preparation of Agreements and Contracts

After choosing the best business entity for your business, your veterinary contract lawyer will begin drafting the many contracts and agreements you will need to successfully run your business. Depending on the business structure you have chosen and which protections you want to put in place, we will help with:

Employment-Related Documents and Agreements

A business is only as strong as its employees, and carefully drafting employment agreements, handbooks, and contracts can streamline the hiring process and ensure that you protect your business every step of the way. Arenstein & Andersen Co., LPA will work with you to understand your goals for your business and determine which documents you need to meet local and federal employment requirements, guard your trade secrets and client information, and protect your business if you need to terminate an employee. Our team assists in drafting, reviewing, and implementing independent contractor agreements, contracts for veterinary professionals, contracts for other employees, employee handbooks, non-solicitation agreements, confidentiality agreements, and severance agreements.

Not only do these documents ensure that your relationship with each employee begins on the right foot, it also protects your business from potentially devastating financial consequences. Without the proper documentation in place, it is challenging to outline your expectations for your employees and the consequences for failing to meet those expectations. This can put your company at risk for wrongful termination lawsuits if employees believe they have been held to different standards than other employees.

Additionally, these documents protect your contacts, operating procedures, and client information. Non-solicitation and non-compete agreements ensure that former employees do not try to steal your hard-earned clients or open competing practices. These agreements offer legal solutions if employees disregard their contracts.

If you are an existing employee with a contract looking to switch jobs or signing a new employment contract, it is essential to have an experienced veterinary attorney, one that has litigated the kind of provisions found in veterinarian employment contracts, review and assist you with negotiations. Signing a noncompete that is too broad or accidentally violating a noncompete provision can not only be expensive, it can be devastating to a career. Avoid these issues by getting a knowledgeable attorney on your side.

Leases, Property Purchases, and Other Property Matters

Finding and securing the right physical property for your veterinary practice is essential. When you locate a property that is accessible to your target market and matches your vision for your practice, we’ll go to work securing the proper contracts and permits. If you want to purchase your property, we’ll draft purchase/sale agreements that fit your timeline and your needs. If renting is a better option for you, our team will draft or review your commercial lease to ensure that you are not limited in how you run your veterinary practice.

Owning or renting commercial space requires that you meet a variety of local and state regulations. We will assist with letters of intent, zoning applications, permits and licenses, and other compliance issues. Managing these issues early is key to preventing delays that may keep you from opening your practice on schedule.

Compliance With Federal and Ohio Laws

As an employer, you are expected to meet strict state and federal standards. Violating state or federal regulations can lead to heavy fines that can be devastating for a new business. With our extensive experience in employment law, we will ensure that you are compliant with Title VII, ADA, FMLA, ADEA, PDA, OAWA, health care continuation, workers’ compensation, Ohio wage and hour laws, unemployment compensation, OSHA, COBRA, and other relevant laws and statutes.

In addition to our experience in employment law, our focus on legal services for veterinarians puts us in a position to help veterinary practices meet industry-specific regulations. You can rely on our team to assist you with veterinarian employment contracts, insurance and billing issues, operational procedures, and audits conducted by insurers.

Management of Compensation Packages

Your veterinary lawyer will help you negotiate and plan competitive compensation packages that you can use to attract the most qualified professionals in your field. We will assist you with stock options, insurance and benefits, tax issues, and more.

Meet the team with a different approach

Previous Attorney

Next Attorney

G. Gregory Arenstein, Esq., LLM

Shareholder

Greg started Arenstein & Andersen Co., LPA with Nicholas I. Andersen in March 2010. Greg has many years of legal and tax experience working with clients on a wide array of business, estate planning, and tax issues. Greg is an experienced problem solver with the ability to assist clients with their most complex needs and the ability to communicate with his clients in plain English. Practice areas include: Estate Planning, Business Law, Taxation, Real Estate, Probate and Trust Administration, Legal Services for Healthcare Professionals

Read Gregory's Bio

Nicholas I. Andersen, Esq., MBA

Shareholder

Nick started Arenstein & Andersen Co., LPA with G. Gregory Arenstein in March 2010. Nick has extensive experience in civil litigation, business, estate planning, real estate, oil & gas, including pipelines, and representing taxpayers in collection actions. Nick’s practice also includes an expansive and diverse clientele of healthcare professionals, including physicians, dentists, and veterinarians. He believes in being available to his clients whenever they are in need. Practice areas include: Legal Services for Healthcare Professionals, Civil Litigation, Business Law, Real Estate, Estate Planning, Oil and Gas Law, Taxation

Read Nick's's Bio

Eric R. McLoughlin, Esq.

Shareholder

Eric has many years of experience representing clients in probate and trust administration, business, and estate planning matters. He has a strong passion for helping people with their legal matters, and strives to provide all his clients with the personalized service they deserve. Practice areas include: Probate and Trust Administration, Business Law, Estate Planning

Read Eric's's Bio

Jessica L. Sohner, Esq. (née Samuel)

Shareholder

Jessica has years of experience representing clients in family and domestic matters, including divorce, dissolution, and post-decree matters. She believes in providing quality representation for clients while maintaining sensitivity to their individualized needs during stressful litigation. Practice areas include: Family Law, Civil Litigation, Oil and Gas Law

Read Jessica's's Bio

Erin L. Sanford, Esq.

Shareholder

Erin joined Arenstein & Andersen Co., LPA as a Shareholder in February 2022. Erin has over 12 years of experience working in all areas of family law. Erin understands that when you are navigating through the court system, whether it is a divorce, child custody matter, the need for a guardian of a loved one, or the loss of a loved one it is a stressful time and she is there to be by her clients’ side.

Read Erin's Bio

Ryan L. DeYoung, Esq.

Senior Associate

Ryan is a Senior Associate at Arenstein & Andersen Co., LPA. Ryan joined the firm in August 2020. Ryan’s practice is devoted to assisting clients in civil litigation matters. Prior to joining Arenstein & Andersen, his practice focused on the representation of individuals and small business debtors as an attorney with a small bankruptcy law firm for almost 7 years. In addition to his practice of bankruptcy law, Ryan also has prior experience in the litigation of housing and employment related claims, including claims brought under the Fair Housing Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, and Civil Rights Act, as well as been an adjunct lecturer in The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business. 

Read Ryan's Bio

James W. Park, Esq.

Associate

Jim and Arenstein & Andersen Co., LPA formed an “of counsel” relationship in 2015 to assist the firm’s clients in the areas of bankruptcy and creditor protection. Jim has been working in personal bankruptcy since 2005. He began practicing as an attorney solely in the area of personal bankruptcy in 2007, with a focus mainly in Chapters 7 and 13 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. Jim understands that financial distress is common today and strives to provide clients with the respect and understanding they deserve while helping them through their difficult times. In December of 2021, Jim became a full-time associate attorney at the firm.

Read James's's Bio

Robert E. Putman, Esq.

Associate

Robert joined Arenstein & Andersen Co., LPA as a full-time associate attorney in October 2021. He is eager to provide clients with legal assistance in the areas of estate planning, business law, and general civil matters. He believes every client matter is unique and deserves careful professional attention to ensure the client’s interests are protected. 

Read Robert's Bio

Ashley Garrison, Esq.

Associate

Ashley is an Associate Attorney with Arenstein & Andersen Co., LPA. She focuses her practice in family law matters, including divorce, dissolution, child custody, parentage, child support, spousal support, prenuptial agreements, and post-decree matters.

Read Ashley Garrison's Bio

William K. Root, Esq., MBA

Of Counsel

Bill joined Arenstein & Andersen Co., LPA in April 2024 as Of Counsel. Bill has extensive experience in estate planning, business planning, business organizations, and planning for families with special needs.

Read William's Bio

Joseph A. Downing, Esq.

Of Counsel

Joe has extensive experience representing clients in estate planning, probate, business, real estate, elder law, and Medicaid planning. Joe prides himself on his ability to build long-term, trusting relationships with clients, and enjoys assisting them with their short and long-term legal needs. Joe and his law firm, Joseph A. Downing Co., L.P.A., are of counsel with our firm. Practice areas include: Estate Planning, Probate and Trust Administration, Business Law, Real Estate

Read Joseph's's Bio

Christen M. Shore, Esq.

Of Counsel

As a former adjunct professor at Capital University Law School, Christen has been practicing intellectual property law for over 20 years. She has represented multi-national corporations, universities, small business, and individuals in the protection of their intellectual property – including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. Christen and her law firm, Christen M. Shore Co., L.P.A., are of counsel with our firm. Practice area include: Intellectual Property

Read Christen's's Bio

Kathleen A. Hanley, JD

Retired

Kathi is retired and living in Tucson, Arizona. She serves as a valuable advisor to the firm, and assists with continuity of service to her longtime clients that continue to entrust their legal needs to us.

Read Kathleen's's Bio
Learn More About The Firm

Contact Arenstein & Andersen Co., LPA to Discuss Your Veterinary Practice’s Needs

Running a business gives you the freedom to serve your community and its animals, work with a team of dedicated professionals interested in your practice’s success, and improve animals’ lives. However, failing to properly manage the business aspect of your practice can have serious financial and legal consequences. We want you to spend more time doing what you do best while we handle your legal needs. Whether you are purchasing an existing veterinary practice, expanding beyond your current location, or starting a new practice from the ground up, we are excited to work with you to accomplish your goals. Contact Arenstein & Andersen Co., LPA at (614) 602-6550 or submit your information through our online contact form