Women and Diverse-Owned Businesses

The firm can assist new and established businesses in obtaining and maintaining certifications such as:

• Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (D.B.E.)
• Minority Business Enterprise (M.B.E.)
• Women’s Business Enterprise (W.B.E.)
• Small Business through the Small Business Administration (S.B.A.)
• Small Disadvantaged Business through the S.B.A.
• Women-Owned Small Business (W.O.S.B.)
• Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (E.D.W.O.S.B.)
• SBA 8(a) Business Development
• SBA HUBZone
• Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (S.D.V.O.S.B.)
• Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (A.C.D.B.E.)

Our multidisciplinary team supports women and diverse owned enterprises in forming, operating, and growing their business. Whether preparing a certification application, disputing a challenge or revocation, or dealing with run-of-the-mill business issues that require special handling because certifications are involved, SMGG attorneys help our clients to navigate the regulatory landscape and achieve their business goals. Our services include:

• Consultation regarding a business’s eligibility for various certifications
• Review of certification applications
• Corporate matters related to ownership and control
• Appeals of denials of applications for certification or revocation of a certification, including to the U.S. Department of Transportation
• Changes to certification, such as adding additional owners or lines of businesses, including changing or adding NAICS codes
• Defense of challenges to certifications
• Interstate certification (obtaining certifications in multiple states)
• Planning for potential challenges to the owner’s ability to accumulate substantial wealth (AASW)
• Guidance on the sale or transfer of a business, or shares of a business, when certifications are involved
• Succession planning
• Adding or changing NAICS codes
• Preparation for on-site visits by certifying agencies
• Challenges to certification based on affiliation with other companies
• Navigating issues involving gifting of shares of ownership
• Change notices
• Challenges on the size of the business
• Challenges to certification based on the personal net worth of owners
• Planning and advice regarding the personal net worth ceiling
• Advising businesses who are approaching the revenue ceiling for small business status
• Challenging the DBE status of another entity

To discuss how our firm can assist your women or diverse-owned business, contact Julie Kline. Learn about SMGG's Women's Initiative.