Just as individuals schedule annual doctor visits to maintain their personal health, business owners should schedule a legal wellness check to keep their companies strong and resilient. The team at Smith Sholar Milliken Matthews PLLC, with offices in Gallatin and Goodlettsville, believes that proactive legal care can prevent future problems and build lasting stability.
"Things change-it's not an if, it's a when," Trudy Milliken says, "Businesses have ebbs and flows, upticks and downturns alike." Revisiting your company's legal health yearly ensures that as your business evolves, your protections evolve with it. This includes reviewing insurance coverage, updating partner agreements, and confirming that your entity structure still serves your goals. "It's much easier to tidy things up in real time than to recreate a timeline when facing a lawsuit or liability claim," Preston Matthews adds.
Spotting Blind Spots Before They Cost You
One of the most common legal pitfalls they see? Business owners who try to do everything alone. "You can be an incredible hustler and still not have top-notch business skills-or you can be a great strategist but struggle with execution," they explain. "The real skill is in recognizing where you're lacking and seeking help in that area."
For small or growing businesses, this means building the right team-attorneys, accountants, payroll professionals, insurance agents, and trusted vendors. These partnerships form the backbone of a healthy organization. "Having the right people in position is key," they emphasize, "You don't have to know everything, but you do need to know who to call."
The Power of Reviewing Your Legal Basics
Even established companies can overlook the fundamentals. Every year, business owners should review their Annual Reports, confirm their 941s are current, and ensure that payroll, tax, and mileage compliance are in order. "Getting back to the basics can make or break a company," Milliken stresses, "Those seemingly simple steps are foundational."
Beyond paperwork, they encourage leaders to regularly evaluate their financial structure and contracts, "Are your balance sheets and P&L current? Are your agreements protecting your interests? These are questions that keep businesses healthy long-term," they note.
Reduce Stress by Staying Legally Organized
Legal compliance isn't just about avoiding penalties- it's about peace of mind. "When you have systems in place-software, calendaring, consistent communication-you eliminate the chaos," they explain, "No one can remember everything. But when deadlines, renewals, and obligations are tracked and managed, you can lead confidently." This philosophy mirrors personal wellness: consistent habits create resilience. In business, that means building processes for accountability, ongoing education, and proactive review. "Constantly learning, reading, and staying compliant- it's how we stay sharp as attorneys, and it's how businesses stay protected," Milliken says.
Where Business Law Meets Real Estate
Smith Sholar Milliken Matthews PLLC also bridges business and real estate law-a powerful combination for entrepreneurs who invest in property. "Many clients use real estate as an income stream," Matthews explains, "We help them create liability shelters-Trusts, LLCs, Corporations-and transfer their holdings to protect both assets and anonymity." By viewing entities as vehicles for tax advantages and protection, the firm helps clients design structures that support long-term goals.
Keeping Your Business in Peak Condition
Running a company requires endurance, adaptability, and the right guidance. "Congratulations-you made it through another year in business," Matthews says, "You're obviously doing a lot right. Let's make sure next year is even stronger."
Smith Sholar Milliken Matthews PLLC offers comprehensive business and real estate legal services with offices in Gallatin and Goodlettsville, and closing locations in Bowling Green, Franklin, and Metro Center Nashville.
Three Things to Do To Kick off the New Year
To start the new year on solid legal ground, the firm suggests this checklist:
- Review Your Structure and Strategy.
Schedule a meeting with your legal team to discuss your 2026 plans. Are you expanding, downsizing, or adding new partners? Ensure your legal framework supports your goals. - Evaluate Lessons from 2025.
What challenges arose this year-internal or external? Use those lessons to strengthen contracts, partnerships, and policies. - Prevent Repeat Mistakes.
If a lease, vendor agreement, or partnership didn't go as planned, refine it now. Mistakes in business will happen, the goal is to make sure they aren't frequent visitors.
Smith Sholar Milliken Matthews PLLC
1164 Nashville Pike, Gallatin
846 Conference Drive, Ste. 4, Goodlettsville
smithsholar.com | Gallatin 615-452-5282 | Goodlettsville 615-855-6801