West Virginia Business Law Attorneys

Some common business entities include:

• Sole proprietorship: A sole proprietor is someone who owns an unincorporated business by themselves.
• Partnerships: A partnership exists between two or more people who share in the profits and losses of their business.
• Corporations: When forming a corporation, shareholders exchange property or money for stock.
• S corporations: S corporations can pass corporate income and losses through to their shareholders for federal tax purposes.
• Limited Liability Company (LLC): Owners of an LLC are called members and can include individuals, corporations, and other LLCs.

While there are differences in entities, the primary purpose of all entities is to shield owners from individual liability.

Drafting & Reviewing By-laws: If you’re filing your business as a nonprofit organization or corporation, you need to write a series of by-laws, which are established rules that serve to manage or regulate the organization. Writing by-laws can be complicated and require the eye and experience of a business lawyer in order to be seen as legitimate and solid.

Some questions we help clients answer in reviewing by-laws include:

• How many directors do you want on your board?
• How long should each director’s term be?
• What duties will officers have?
• What are the responsibilities of members?

Drafting Articles of Incorporation: Articles of incorporation are documents a business needs to file with the Secretary of State to establish the existence of your business. They can be legally complicated – our lawyers can help you draft and file them efficiently so you can get started on your business opening.

Creating Operating Agreements: Limited liability companies need operating agreements, which govern the rights and duties of members. Operating agreements establish factors including the identity of members, the capital contribution of members, the dissolution process, and relative classes and powers of members.

Establish your business fully and correctly to ensure a successful future – call our West Virginia business law attorneys at (304) 346-9333 or contact us here.