We advise clients on all matters related to business formation, including taxation and related liabilities that may impact a business’s profit stream in the future. These factors are evaluated when we help clients form their businesses, franchise, or nonprofit companies. In Washington, the types of business entities can include:

* Sole proprietorships
* S corporations
* C-corporations
* Limited Liability Companies (LLCs)
* General Partnerships
* Limited Partnerships
* Limited Liability Partnerships
* Nonprofit Organizations
* Professional Service Corporations and Limited Liability Companies

At the outset of a new business, we assist clients in choosing the best business legal form for their needs, which usually includes addressing the following considerations:

* Type of business and employee considerations – will the business have employees, or is it primarily an investment vehicle?
* Tax considerations – will the pass-through tax considerations available for those seeking S Corp tax treatment be desired?
* Future financing and equity considerations – will the company want to issue equity later to raise additional capital or grant equity interests to management or employees?

These are only a few of the considerations that should be considered in order to determine what type of legal entity will be best. We advise clients of the matters that are most important to them so that they can make the choice for the best legal entity based upon their business. We then prepare and file all necessary corporate and legal documentation required.

As companies grow and circumstances change, a number of events can occur that may impact ongoing business operations (particularly in a closely-held company), such as:

* The need to raise additional capital
* The death or incapacitation of a key owner
* The desire of one owner to sell their equity interests
* An intractable deadlock on a key management issue.

In the business formation stage, we routinely advise new business owners on these and other significant events that could potentially occur. We help business owners address these matters, typically in shareholder, buy-sell, or other agreements. Such agreements can be critical, so that if one of these events occurs, a legally agreed-upon process can be implemented, rather than costly and disruptive litigation.

After the business is formed, we represent business owners and executives by advising them on management and governance of their companies. We work closely with clients from start to finish to ensure that they understand their rights and duties within the corporate structure and the legal basis for the type of entity used to form their companies. We provide continued support after formation to ensure best practices are adopted for entity governance.

Whether your business goals involve forming a new start up, merging with a larger company, or purchasing a competitor, we can provide you with the insight and guidance you need to ensure a smooth transaction. Give us a call at 253.858.5434 to find out how we can be of service.