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I have 25 years experience as a practicing business lawyer and currently provide virtual business and transactional legal services to South Carolina residents and businesses – whether in Columbia, Greenville, Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Rock Hill, Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head, Anderson, Aiken, and all other locations within South Carolina. I also assist those outside of the state with their South Carolina business law needs. Simultaneous with my law practice, I have been a past advisor to the Columbia and Charleston Better Business Bureau (BBB) Executive Board, past President of the Advisory Board to the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), and past advisor with Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE). I am a South Carolina School of Law graduate.

Flexible Legal Solutions for Growing Businesses

A virtual law practice operates by telephone, email, texts, webcam, and postal mail. It avoids the costly inefficiencies of traditional law practice, saving clients time and money, while creating a client-lawyer relationship that is more flexible and integrated into client workflow. No drive time, no need to find a parking ramp and space, no increased fees and rates to cover expensive furnishings and offices. Operating "virtually" means that I do not provide litigation services, perform real estate closings, or provide physical office meetings.

An initial one-hour telephone consultation with me is $45 and does not include drafting or reviewing documents or non-consultation services. My current hourly rate is $150. My areas of practice are shown below. Many services related to LLC formation, incorporation, trademark registration, and certification of articles of incorporation services are offered at flat rates. Drafting fees for some documents combine a pre-drafted page fee and hourly rate for modifying them. Custom document drafting and document review are subject to my hourly rate. See my Fee Policies for further information.

Working with a knowledgeable business lawyer can be essential to your success

I take a deep personal interest in trying to help clients make informed decisions and achieve preferred outcomes. This generally includes my assisting clients with business formation and governance related to LLCs, for profit corporations, and non-profit corporations; governmental filings and licenses; reviewing, drafting, or negotiating needed contracts; securing intellectual property rights, such as trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets; addressing non-compete issues and other restrictive covenants; and assisting clients in selling their business or buying another. I also help clients sort through complex federal, state, and local legal considerations, as well as contractual, financial, practical, and other entanglements and considerations embedded in even the best business opportunities and activities. These can impede an entrepreneur’s progress, keep them awake at night, and impair the very viability of their business and livelihood.

Business Law Expertise at Your Service

Drawing on 25 years of experience as a business lawyer, I am pleased to share practical insights and strategic guidance to support your legal and commercial objectives.

Business Structuring & Transactions

Covers entity creation, governance, contracts, acquisitions, and structural changes.

Corporate Setup & Strategic Growth

Supports business formation, operational agreements, and expansion or restructuring strategies.

Entity Formation & Corporate Governance

Focuses on establishing businesses and managing internal legal frameworks.

Brian helped me negotiate a resolution with a former business partner and I am very happy with the results! Great communication and professionalism is what I experienced with Small Business Law Firm!

Bill P.

I contacted Mr. Brian Payne about 18 months ago about a complicated case I had. From the start he was very helpful and explained everything clearly. He was able to resolve my case in a short period of time. During the whole process he was always there to answer my questions and guide me. What really stood out to me was how dedicated he is to his work. Sometimes he even replied to my emails very late at night or early in the morning. He is patient and takes the time to make sure you understand everything. If you have a difficult situation and need someone reliable, I highly recommend Mr. Brian Payne. He truly cares about helping his clients and works hard to get the best result possible.

Samir N.

DISCLAIMER: The testimonials, reviews, and endorsements displayed on this website reflect the experiences of past clients. Each matter is unique, and results may vary depending on the facts, circumstances, and applicable law. They are provided for informational purposes only and are intended to illustrate client satisfaction and experience; inclusion of a testimonial, reviews, and endorsements does not imply that the firm or attorney can achieve the same results in all cases.

Doing business in South Carolina? Need an experienced business lawyer?

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