Our Services

The Role of a Lawyer in Your Veterinary Practice

In today’s business world, relying on a handshake or a verbal agreement is no longer enough. The legal landscape has become complex, and veterinary practices must navigate this environment carefully to avoid costly disputes and litigation.

Veterinarians face unique legal challenges in their day-to-day operations. Every decision and action can carry significant legal implications, sometimes leading to liability—even when no wrongdoing was intended. This reality makes it essential to have trusted legal guidance tailored specifically to the veterinary industry.

Our firm is dedicated to providing efficient, responsive, and comprehensive legal support for veterinary businesses. Whether you are an ongoing client or engaging us for a one-time matter, we take the time to understand your goals and outline all available options to help you make informed decisions.

We collaborate closely with you and your tax advisors to create strategic solutions that align with your business objectives. Beyond individual cases, we are committed to advancing the veterinary profession’s understanding of business law. We offer personalized counseling, host informal seminars, participate in state and national veterinary conferences, and teach at veterinary schools—helping veterinarians and consultants stay informed and prepared.

Veterinary Practice Client Services

We provide guidance and legal consulting on matters relating to veterinary business and real estate transactions including:

  • Employment Agreements (Associates/Managers)

  • Buying Veterinary Practice Representation

  • Selling Veterinary Practice Representation

  • Exit Strategy Planning

  • Ownership Agreements (Shareholders’ Agreements and Operating Agreements)

  • Commercial Lease Negotiation and Drafting

  • Legal Entity Selection and Formation

  • Setting Up Start-Up Veterinary Practices

  • Affiliation and Merger Representation

  • Emergency and Specialty Referral Practice Representation

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With a dedicated focus on veterinary business law, our firm stays at the forefront of both legal and practical developments in the industry. We understand that veterinary medicine is constantly evolving—and so are the legal challenges that come with it. That’s why we remain responsive to shifting conditions and work closely with your tax advisors to ensure your veterinary transactions are handled with precision and care.

Veterinary Law, Backed by Experience That Matters

At Guiducci & Guiducci, we specialize in veterinary business law—trusted by veterinarians and practice owners across the country.

With decades of focused experience in veterinary transactions, our attorneys bring not just legal knowledge, but real-world business insight to every client relationship.

We understand the unique goals, challenges, and ambitions of veterinary professionals—and provide strategic guidance that goes far beyond traditional legal counsel.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Does a Veterinarian Select a Lawyer?

Selecting a lawyer is much like choosing any trusted professional, you want someone with the right expertise, experience, and understanding to meet your specific needs.

Many attorneys focus their practice in specialized areas of law. Just as you wouldn’t turn to a neurosurgeon for a foot injury, you shouldn’t rely on a lawyer without the right qualifications for your particular legal matter.

Your goal should be to work with counsel who not only understands the legal landscape, but has a proven track record handling cases like yours.

How Do You Find Out About a Lawyer’s Qualifications & Experience?

Hiring a lawyer for your veterinary practice is a serious business decision—one that deserves the same level of scrutiny you’d give to any important investment. Veterinarians face a wide range of legal needs throughout the life of their practice, and those needs will vary based on individual circumstances.

Just as you wouldn’t buy a car without taking it for a test drive or hire a builder without checking their references, you shouldn't hesitate to ask a lawyer about their experience with your specific legal situation. You have every right to ensure that your attorney is qualified and capable of handling the matters that matter most to you. And the best way to find out? Simply ask.

At some point, nearly every veterinary practice will need legal guidance in areas such as:

  • Practice formation and entity structure
  • Owner agreements and associate veterinarian employment contracts
  • General vendor and service agreements
  • Associate buy-in structuring
  • Tax implications related to practice ownership
  • Real estate purchases or leases
  • Veterinary board complaint defense

Choosing the right legal partner starts with a conversation, so ask the questions that count.

Will My Lawyer Handle Everything for Me?

Many veterinarians assume that once they’ve hired a lawyer, everything will be handled for them. But in reality, hiring an attorney is just the beginning of building a successful team.

Sometimes that team is simply you and your lawyer. More often, it includes additional key players—your tax advisor, insurance agent, and lender—each bringing essential expertise to the table.

No matter the size of the team, every member—including you—has an important role to play. Clear communication, timely action, and shared responsibility are what ensure your legal matter moves forward smoothly and successfully.

What Should I Expect From My Lawyer?

Your lawyer brings specialized legal knowledge and experience to guide you through important decisions. Their role is to advise you on your available options, explain the potential consequences of each, and help you make informed decisions about how your matter should move forward.

While your lawyer will offer counsel, you are ultimately responsible for making business decisions related to your practice.

In certain cases, your lawyer may act independently—such as drafting contract language that protects your interests after you've chosen a direction. This is different from situations where there are multiple paths forward, and your input is needed to decide which course to take.

A key part of your attorney’s role is to anticipate worst-case scenarios and draft legal agreements that protect you if those situations arise.

Finally, your lawyer should clearly explain how legal fees will be charged, how billing will be handled, and when payments are due. This should always be confirmed in writing—typically through a formal fee agreement or engagement letter.

What Will My Lawyer Expect From Me?

To serve you effectively, your lawyer will rely on your honesty, cooperation, and timely participation throughout your legal matter. Here’s what you can expect to be responsible for as a client:

  • Be open and truthful. Your lawyer needs accurate and complete information to give you the best advice. Holding back key facts can limit their ability to protect your interests.
  • Avoid committing to terms too early. If you’re dealing with a contract—like an associate buy-in or practice sale—consult your lawyer **before** agreeing to key terms. It’s fine to discuss general ideas, but don’t finalize or commit to anything until you've had legal guidance. Backtracking after a verbal agreement can damage trust and complicate negotiations.
  • Assist when needed. Your lawyer may ask you to gather documents, identify important people (especially in litigation), or help organize information. The more you can do to support the process, the more efficient—and cost-effective—your legal services will be.
  • Be available. Make a reasonable effort to adjust your schedule for meetings or calls when needed.
  • Pay promptly. You’re expected to pay invoices for legal fees and reimbursable costs on time.

Every legal matter is different, and your role on the legal team may vary depending on the complexity of the case and your lawyer’s process—but clear communication and active participation are always key.

What Should I Discuss With My Lawyer Early On?

During one of your first meetings with your lawyer, it's important to establish clear expectations and align on the key aspects of your legal matter. Topics to cover include:

  • Your goals. Share what you hope to accomplish. Once your lawyer understands the facts, they can offer appropriate options or recommend next steps. If more information is needed before advising, they’ll let you know what’s required.
  • How to proceed. If your lawyer has the necessary background information, be prepared to make initial decisions about how you’d like to move forward.
  • Fees and billing. Clarify how legal fees and costs will be calculated, how billing will work, and when payments will be due.
  • Team involvement. Confirm who else from the law firm may be working on your case—such as associate attorneys or paralegals.
  • Outside professionals. If your matter involves other professionals (e.g., an accountant or tax advisor), identify who they are and how they’ll be involved.
  • Communication. Decide how you’ll stay informed—whether through phone calls, emails, or scheduled check-ins.
  • Response policy. Ask about the firm’s policy for returning messages and how quickly you can typically expect a reply.

Clear communication from the start builds trust and helps your legal team work more efficiently toward your goals.

What Should I Consider Before Hiring a Lawyer?

It’s a smart idea to speak with more than one lawyer before deciding who to hire. Every attorney has a different style, and finding someone whose approach aligns with your communication preferences and comfort level is key.

Avoid hiring a lawyer who won’t clearly explain how they work or who insists on handling your matter in a way that doesn’t sit well with you. That said, if multiple lawyers offer similar advice, it may be a sign that your expectations need adjusting based on legal realities.

Once you’ve chosen a lawyer, you have the right to stay informed. You’re entitled to regular updates on the progress of your case and clear communication about the work being done on your behalf.

How Can I Ensure a Smooth and Successful Relationship with My Lawyer?

Start by making sure you and your lawyer fully understand your goals. Once your objectives are clear, carefully consider the options your attorney presents and make a confident decision about how to move forward. While circumstances may change and lead you to reassess, having a firm plan allows your lawyer to proceed with a clear direction.

It’s also important to feel comfortable with your lawyer’s working style. Make sure you have a clear understanding of the expected timeline for your case, including when key tasks will be completed and how often and by what methods your lawyer will keep you updated.

Be proactive in providing your lawyer with all the necessary information and documents related to your case, and respond to their requests promptly to keep things moving smoothly.

Additionally, ensure you fully understand and agree with your lawyer’s billing practices to avoid surprises.

Finally, if you have any questions or concerns at any time, don’t hesitate to share them with your lawyer and take time to listen to their responses. Open communication is key to a successful partnership.

Ed Guiducci was instrumental in lease negotiations with our more than difficult landlord, more patient than words can convey, always willing to listen to me in times of utter panic. He was extremely helpful in our partnership agreement, explaining details without tiring, solving any issue that needed to be addressed. Ed is so knowledgeable in practice management, always willing AND able to help with advice and referral to other professionals.

- Ina Obernesser, DVM

I have worked with Ed Guiducci for years.  What I like about Ed's style is he strives for a win-win approach in every negotiation.  The deal has to work for the buyer, seller, and practice to be successful.

- Thom Haig, DVM

We had the pleasure of working with Ed Guiducci during a very intense practice and real estate purchase.  Ed provided sound and expert advice in addressing aspects both known and unknown throughout the entire process and, where appropriate, coordinated his efforts with our real estate attorney. 

Although geographically placed on opposite sides of the country (we are located in Pennsylvania), this was never an issue.  His response was consistently prompt even on urgent issues.  Understanding these types of transactions are stressful, knowing that Ed always had our best interests in mind added a level of comfort that was needed.  He was one of the more pleasurable aspects of the entire process and a resource we highly recommend to anyone even contemplating such an endeavor."

 - Amy L. Kidd, VMD

Selling our multi-location, 24-hour specialty and emergency practice was no small task—but working with you made all the difference. Your deep knowledge of the veterinary marketplace, guidance through every step, and skilled negotiation with consolidators helped us achieve a successful and rewarding sale. We couldn’t recommend your team more highly.

⁃ John E. Stambaugh, VMD, PhD, Diplomate ACVS & Donald R. Crouser DVM

Ed Guiducci has provided me a multitude of services over the past seventeen years in almost all phases of veterinary practice ownership including employment contracts, building lease, associate stair step buy in contracts, exit strategy, and ultimately the final buy out of the practice. He also was there to help when it came time to sell the real estate. In all cases, he was beyond fair, timely, reasonable and reassuring. My investment in his services has been paid back many many times over. His knowledge, integrity, intelligence, attention to detail and professionalism remain unmatched. Thanks to Ed, I reaped the financial and emotional rewards of a well run practice and am now very happily retired.

- Tom Remmler, DVM