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LLCs offer simplicity, pass-through taxation, and flexible management — ideal for most small businesses and real estate. S Corps allow owners to reduce self-employment taxes by paying themselves a salary. C Corps are the standard for VC-backed startups and businesses seeking investor funding — VCs require C corps. A business attorney analyzes your goals, growth plans, and tax situation to recommend the optimal structure.

Yes — absolutely, especially for multi-member LLCs. An operating agreement defines ownership percentages, profit/loss allocation, voting rights, management structure, what happens when a member wants to exit, and dissolution procedures. Without it, your state's default rules govern — which rarely reflect your actual intentions. A custom-drafted operating agreement is one of the most important documents your business will ever have.

The CTA requires most LLCs and corporations to file Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reports with FinCEN disclosing information about each beneficial owner. After extensive litigation, reporting requirements are now active. Companies formed before January 1, 2024 had a 2025 deadline. New companies (2024+) must file within 90 days of formation. Penalties: up to $591/day and criminal liability for willful non-compliance. Consult a business attorney to verify your obligations and file correctly.

Every business contract should include: (1) Clear identification of all parties. (2) Precise description of obligations — goods, services, or deliverables. (3) Payment terms — amount, timing, late fees. (4) Term and termination — notice periods and termination triggers. (5) IP ownership. (6) Confidentiality provisions. (7) Representations and warranties. (8) Limitation of liability. (9) Indemnification. (10) Dispute resolution — arbitration vs. litigation, governing law, venue. An attorney drafts contracts that hold up in court.

It depends entirely on your state. The FTC's sweeping non-compete ban was struck down by federal courts in 2024–2025. State law now controls. California, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Oklahoma largely prohibit non-competes for employees. About 35 states continue to enforce non-competes if they're reasonable in scope, duration (typically 6–24 months), and geography. A business attorney in your state advises on enforceability and how to draft agreements that will hold up.

Due diligence is the comprehensive investigation of a target business before committing to buy it. It covers financial records, contracts, IP, employment matters, regulatory compliance, pending litigation, and real property. Thorough due diligence prevents buying hidden liabilities — undisclosed lawsuits, tax debts, environmental problems, or contracts that terminate on change of ownership. An M&A attorney coordinates the entire due diligence process and identifies every issue before closing.

A trademark is any mark that identifies your goods or services and distinguishes them from competitors — name, logo, tagline, colors, or sound. Federal registration provides nationwide priority, the right to use ®, and the ability to sue in federal court. The registration process takes 12–18 months in 2026 (after a conduct trademark search, filing, USPTO examination, publication, and registration). An attorney also monitors for infringing applications and enforces your rights.

In 2026, 20+ US states have active comprehensive data privacy laws — California (CCPA/CPRA), Virginia, Colorado, Connecticut, Texas, Florida, Montana, Oregon, Iowa, Tennessee, Indiana, and more. If your business collects personal data from residents of these states, you must: provide privacy notices, honor consumer rights (access, deletion, opt-out of data sale), implement security measures, and document your data processing activities. Penalties can be significant. A data privacy attorney audits your practices and builds your compliance program.

A breach of contract occurs when a party fails to fulfill their contractual obligations. Remedies include: compensatory damages (your actual economic losses), consequential damages (foreseeable downstream losses), specific performance (court orders performance), and attorney's fees (if the contract has a fee-shifting provision). Document everything — all communications, deliveries, invoices, and performance failures. Statutes of limitations apply — typically 3–6 years depending on contract type and state. Contact a business litigation attorney immediately.

Properly dissolving involves: (1) Owner vote per operating agreement/bylaws. (2) File Articles of Dissolution with your state. (3) Notify all creditors and give them time to file claims. (4) Wind up operations — complete contracts, collect receivables, pay debts. (5) Liquidate assets and distribute remaining proceeds to owners. (6) Cancel all licenses, permits, registrations. (7) File final tax returns. Improperly closing a business can expose owners to personal liability. A business dissolution attorney ensures all steps are completed correctly.

Startup legal counsel for VC funding includes: Delaware C Corp incorporation (required by most VCs), cap table setup, 83(b) elections for founders, SAFE agreement issuance for seed rounds, reviewing VC term sheets (key terms: valuation, liquidation preferences, anti-dilution, board composition, drag-along), negotiating definitive documents (Stock Purchase Agreement, IRA, ROFR/Co-Sale, Voting Agreement), and setting up ESOP stock option plans. Experienced startup attorneys protect founder rights while keeping investors happy.

A shareholders' agreement governs co-owner relationships in a corporation (operating agreement for an LLC). It covers: ownership percentages, voting rights, board composition, transfer restrictions (ROFR), buy-sell provisions on exit/death/disability, drag-along and tag-along rights, non-compete/non-solicitation obligations, and dispute resolution. It must be drafted before disputes arise — when co-owners are aligned. A business without a shareholder/partner agreement is an accident waiting to happen.

Costs vary widely: LLC formation: $500–$2,000. Contract drafting/review: $300–$2,500 per contract. Business acquisition: $5,000–$250,000+ depending on complexity. Trademark registration: $1,500–$4,000. Startup counsel (monthly retainer): $2,000–$10,000. Business litigation: $5,000–$100,000+. Hourly rates: $250–$600/hr for experienced business attorneys. Many offer flat fees for routine matters. LawMillion consultations are always free — transparent fee disclosure before you commit.

Partnership/shareholder disputes arise over management decisions, profit distribution, fiduciary duty breaches, or misappropriation of business funds. Resolution options: (1) Attorney-led negotiation — fastest and cheapest. (2) Mediation — neutral facilitator. (3) Buy-out — one owner buys out the other at fair value. (4) Dissolution — wind down the business. (5) Litigation or arbitration. Most operating agreements/shareholder agreements specify the dispute resolution process. Having these agreements in place before disputes arise saves enormous cost and heartache.