- GuardianshipFamilies rely on KKG for probate and administration of trusts and estates, and for the handling of litigation and arbitration involving Wills, guardianships, trusteeships and fiducies. KKG removes the paperwork burden from local and out-of-state executors, administrators and other professionals.
- Corporate LawKKG assists clients throughout the business life cycle, from formation to termination, and all events and transactions in between. We provide guidance on issues including start-up costs, business liability, management, tax, business succession and dissolution. Our attorneys prepare formation documents, operating agreements, bylaws, partnership agreements, shareholder agreements, buy-sell agreements, resolutions, non-profit formation, operational documents and other documents needed to support our clients with their day-to-day governance needs. We provide value added practical advice helping our clients achieve long-term success.
- Mergers and AcquisitionsKKG attorneys advise clients in a broad range of commercial transactions, mergers and acquisitions. We work closely with clients to understand their business needs, to help them evaluate proposals, and when needed, to find alternative solutions so that beneficial results are achieved. We frequently assist clients with structuring, negotiating, and documenting equity and asset acquisitions and dispositions. Our attorneys are experienced at providing both buyers and sellers with the needed guidance and counsel to assist with organizational structure, financing, profitability, taxes, personnel strategy and the unique concerns of the particular deal. KKG has advised clients who have both acquired and sold professional practices, manufacturing and distribution enterprises, service businesses and retail operations. KKG has also represented clients in many difficult and non-traditional situations, including business re-purchases, litigation amongst the transaction parties, and adversarial suppliers or customers. Our breadth of experience has allowed us to anticipate the unexpected. We are committed to assisting clients in a responsive, efficient and effective manner.
- Business Formation
- Business DisputesJoel S. Arogeti has over 35 years of experience in business law and is a talented and effective advisor and counselor to business owners and their companies. Joel served as President and CEO of Kitchens Kelley Gaynes, PC for over twenty years. He also served as a member of the Board of Directors of National Bank of Commerce, a charter member of Private Bank of Buckhead's Board of Directors, its Audit, Loan, ALCO and Executive Committees. An undergraduate of George Washington University, he worked for Congressman Elliott H. Levitas both in Washington, DC, and Decatur, Georgia. Joel served as an enforcement attorney for the Securities and Exchange Commission in Miami, Florida and was associated with the Dickstein Shapiro & Morin law firm in Washington D.C. Joel began his career in private practice in Atlanta working with Frankel Hardwick, Tanenbaum & Fink, P.C. In addition to his active business law and estate planning practice, Joel serves as a FINRA arbitrator of securities disputes and has served as private arbitrator on behalf of S.E.C.
- Business Transactions
- Intellectual PropertyKKG handles all types of business litigation concerning all types of businesses including business torts like misappropriation, breach of fiduciary duties by officers and directors, shareholder relations, corporate break-ups, restrictive-employment covenants, insurance coverage, fraud, collections, intellectual property infringement, unfair competition, insurance, and even professional malpractice. With a focus on providing practical and candid advise on pursuit and defense of disputes, KKG keeps the client’s subjective opinion of a “favorable” outcome in mind throughout. KKG recognizes that sometimes aggressive or bare-knuckle litigation is not the best strategy given an amount in dispute, the particular facts, or the practical aspects of the ongoing business while other times bet-the-business or high-stakes litigation requires an “all in” approach utilizing every strategic advantage available. KKG balances these approaches in each particular matter and discusses with the client how best to proceed.
- Unfair Competition
- Employment Contract
- Construction LitigationGiven KKG’s significant focus on commercial real estate including acquisition, development, leasing, and lending, KKG litigators are well versed and uniquely qualified to represent clients involved in real estate and lease enforcement litigation. KKG handles matters involving construction disputes, purchase and sale agreements, third-party vendor or supplier disputes, dispossessory actions, lease enforcement, exclusivity and other leave covenant violations, and much more all in the context of commercial real estate. KKG taps into both its significant litigation experience as well as the transactional practice to provide a holistic analysis of issues and disputes for its clients.
- Real Estate TransactionsOur attorneys are well-positioned to handle matters of any size, from multi-state real estate transactions to complex commercial litigation. KKG provides sophisticated legal representation commensurate with larger firms but with the level of personal attention and value found at smaller firms.
- Eminent DomainWe provide our clients value at each stage of a commercial real estate transaction and during the life of the client’s ownership and operation of asset. Our work includes representation of clients in land acquisition, land sales, land development, tax deferred exchanges, real estate financing, property management, and issues related to zoning and land use, eminent domain and construction. KKG handles real estate transactions from start to finish, including the negotiation and drafting of letters of intent, purchase and sale agreements, sale and loan closing documents, development agreements, leases, ground leases, easements, licenses options, covenants and financing documents.
- Easement
- Land Use and Zoning
- Estate PlanningKKG represents fiduciaries and beneficiaries in trust and estate disputes, which largely focus on the dispute over a will or a particular bequest in a will concerning a deceased relative or close personal friend. These disputes are in probate court (as opposed to other venues) and proceed in similar fashion with discovery, motions, hearings and, if necessary, jury trials. The factual and legal issues surrounding a will contest are highly fact intensive and, as a result, must be acted upon quickly with an eye towards preserving evidence that may be lost over time. KKG recognizes that will contests typically add an extra element of emotional investment by its clients and KKG goes the extra mile in doing its best to prove what truly was the last wish of a deceased relative or close personal friend.
- Wills
- TrustsOne size does not fit all, and no off-the-shelf product can compare to experienced legal advice. Trusts created during a lifetime or in a Will can achieve various purposes, including benefiting charities, reducing taxes, and protecting assets. Such trusts carry a number of names, such as insurance trusts, charitable trusts, residence trusts, living trusts, grantor retained trusts, intentionally defective trusts, and special needs trusts. But more than an array of names, with knowledgeable advice, these become tools that are deployed to help clients achieve their long term objectives. The planning process removes anxiety and achieves peace of mind for those who want to assure that their financial arrangements are in order.
- Power of AttorneyKKG’s estate planning and wealth preservation attorneys work in partnership with our clients to achieve important goals and objectives. From the universally needed sets of wills, financial powers of attorney, and advance directives for health care, to complex estate designs involving business succession, family entities, and trusts, we serve clients by helping them plan for the protection of assets and the transfer of wealth to charities and others.
- Probate
- ForeclosureFor effective representation in loan transactions, banks and financial institutions turn to KKG. Our attorneys handle the preparation of all documentation as well as closings for both secured and unsecured business loan transactions in Georgia or nationwide. Small Business Administration (SBA) loans are a specialty of the firm. KKG attorneys have experience closing over 1000 SBA loans involving 7a, 504 and USDA loan, and 2 of our attorneys have achieved the status of SBA designated 504 closing attorneys. In addition to financial institutions, we also represent private lenders and borrowers, and provide local counsel opinion letters (covering enforceability, good standing, authorization, usury, and other issues) on a wide variety of transactions. We have a litigation team experienced in handling matters relating to the enforcement of loan documents, including promissory notes, loan agreements, guaranties, security agreements, and deeds to secure debt (including foreclosures and post-foreclosure litigation).