Business lawyer in Toronto for Ontario companies, from formation to sale
As your business lawyer in Toronto, Mayo Law advises on incorporation, contracts, shareholder agreements, buying or selling a business, and disputes. We advise owner-run and growing businesses across Ontario.
- Law Society of OntarioLicensed in Ontario
- New York State BarAdmitted in New York
How a business lawyer in Toronto can help
Most companies need a lawyer at a few key moments, and for smaller questions in between. We help Toronto and Ontario companies with both, from a one-page agreement to the sale of the business.
Some owners want a small business lawyer in Toronto for a single contract. Others need corporate advice, such as adding a holding company (a company that owns the shares of your business). We draft and review customer and supplier contracts, put agreements between co-owners in writing, and negotiate with the other side.
You can work with us one matter at a time. If questions come up every month, you can keep us on as outside general counsel. That works like a part-time in-house lawyer, without adding a full-time hire.
In Toronto
We work with companies from our office at King and Bay, in the heart of the Toronto business district.
Across Ontario
We advise businesses in Mississauga, Vaughan and the rest of Ontario, including Ontario corporations and federal corporations doing business in Ontario.
- Incorporation and structure
- Ontario and federal corporations
- Share structure and minute books
- Holding companies and reorganizations
- Commercial contracts
- Customer, supplier and services agreements
- Licensing and distribution
- Drafting, review and negotiation
- Shareholders and partners
- Shareholder agreements and bylaws
- Adding a partner or investor
- Buyouts and exits
- Buying or selling a business
- Letters of intent
- Due diligence
- Share and asset purchase agreements
- Governance and compliance
- Directors' resolutions and duties
- Corporate records and annual filings
- Regulatory questions
- Business disputes
- Shareholder and partner disputes
- Contract disputes
- Demand letters and settlement
The businesses we advise
Owner-run businesses
Trades, retail, professional services and family companies in Toronto and across Ontario.
Startups and growing companies
Founders and early-stage startups working on a first investment round, first hires or customer terms.
Buyers, sellers and new partners
Owners buying a company, preparing one for sale, or bringing in a partner or investor.
Established companies
Businesses with several shareholders or a board that want regular legal advice without hiring an in-house lawyer.
How we work with business owners
- 01Plain explanations
We tell you what a clause or a decision means for the business, in plain words.
- 02Drafted for your deal
We build each document around the terms you agreed.
- 03Before you sign
You can bring us a contract or offer before you sign it, while the terms can still change.
- 04Prompt replies
We reply to new inquiries within 1 to 2 business days.
What our clients say
Joseph explained every step of the legal process in a clear and straightforward manner. I always felt informed and at ease. His professionalism and dedication gave me confidence that my case was in the right hands. I highly recommend his services to anyone seeking legal assistance.
Leena E.
Working with Joseph Mayo was a fantastic experience. He is incredibly knowledgeable and efficient, helping me with important files that needed quick submission. His expertise and dedication were evident, and he guided me through the process in record time. I’m grateful for his prompt and thorough assistance. Highly recommended for anyone needing legal expertise!
Ziad A.
Joseph’s the kind of lawyer who actually listens. I never felt like just a file on his desk—he really took the time to understand me and what I was going through. It made the whole experience a lot less stressful. I’m honestly so glad I found him.
Wisam R.
Guides on this topic
Common questions
What does a business lawyer do?
A business lawyer handles the legal side of owning and running a company. The work runs from setting up the company to contracts, agreements between owners, purchases, sales and disputes. In Toronto, you will also see the titles corporate lawyer and commercial lawyer. The labels overlap, so ask which matters a lawyer handles rather than what they are called.
Do I need a lawyer to start a business?
No law requires one. In Ontario, you can file articles of incorporation or register a business name yourself through the Ontario Business Registry. You can also incorporate federally online with Corporations Canada. A lawyer helps with the choices around those filings, such as whether to incorporate, who holds which shares and who the directors are. A lawyer can also set up the minute book (the company's official records) and tell you whether the owners need a shareholder agreement.
Do I need a lawyer to buy a business in Ontario?
Not always. If the deal includes land, only a lawyer can register most transfers of title in Ontario. Buying a business in Ontario usually starts with a letter of intent, a short outline of the main terms. Next comes due diligence (checking the business), then the purchase agreement. A lawyer checks what comes with the business, such as debts, contracts, leases and employees. The lawyer also negotiates terms that protect you if something turns out to be wrong.
How do I choose a business lawyer in Toronto?
Start with the matter you need help with, and ask how often the lawyer handles that kind of work. Whether you compare individual lawyers or a business law firm in Toronto, look each lawyer up. The Law Society of Ontario's Lawyer and Paralegal Directory shows their status. Then ask who will work on your file, how you will get updates, and how fees are set.
Can you help with a shareholder or contract dispute?
Yes. We review the agreements and the facts, explain where you stand, and work toward a resolution. That can mean a demand letter, negotiation with the other side, or a settlement agreement. A demand letter is a formal letter that sets out what you want and by when. Shareholder disputes often turn on the shareholder agreement and the bylaws (the company's internal rules), so we start with those documents.
Our Toronto business law practice is led by Joseph Mayo.
Joseph Mayo is the principal attorney at Mayo Law. He is licensed to practice law in both Ontario and New York, holds a Master of Laws (LL.M.) from New York University School of Law with a specialty in international business and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in law and a Master of Arts (M.A.) in business from Netanya Academic College, and is a member of the American Bar Association and the Law Society of Ontario. His practice focuses on cross-border immigration, business law, white collar defense, and compliance.
More about us