General Business Law

From the moment you decide to start a business, and throughout the life of that business, you face numerous legal issues.  Just a few issues every business should carefully consider include the following:

• The form the business will take
• Tax issues
• Relationships between the owners
• The negotiation of vendor and customer agreements and contracts

There can also be specialized laws relative to your industry, as well, depending on the nature of your business.

Boyle, Olson & Robinson represents small and large companies in various aspects of their daily internal and external business practices.  We can help you over the lifecycle of your business.

Business Formation

When starting a business, you must consider the form it will take.

• Sole Proprietorship:  This is the simplest form of business, requiring little paperwork to set up.  But you have no personal liability protection, and your personal income taxes are tied to those of your business.
• Partnership: Again, if you plan to start your business with one or more other owners, forming a partnership is simple in terms of required paperwork.  But, the liability and tax issues are similar to those of a sole partnership, and you need to draw up a partnership agreement to help deal with potential disagreements in the future.
• Limited Liability Company (LLC): If you are not ready to incorporate, you may choose to create a LLC, which provides liability protection.  This is a flexible form of business in terms of tax planning and other considerations.  Each state has its own LLC laws, though, and there are some limitations that might limit the number of owners.
• "S" Corporation: This type of corporation provides personal liability but uses a corporation’s tax structure.  But you will pay state corporate fees, and it is not as flexible as the LLC form.
• "C" Corporation: This form of corporation allows you to have the most investors, and it provides significant liability protection.  However, you will face double taxation with this form.

Clearly, you need the advice of an experienced law firm to help you select the form that is right for you.  Boyle, Olson & Robinson has over seven decades of experience advising on these issues, and drawing up the paperwork required by the state of California, and preparing solid partnership agreements.

Contracts and other legal issues

Every day your business deals with legal transactions, both within the organization, and with other businesses and government entities.  Just a few examples of our level of business support include these:

• Creating and supporting partnership agreements
• Drafting contracts between your company and outside contractors
• Dealing with property issues
• Creating contracts between your company and outside vendors
• Constructing agreements between your company and its customers

Contact us

Whether you are starting a new business or need legal support for your existing company, contact Boyle, Olson & Robinson at  626-796-7181 or contact us online.

Located in Pasadena, California the practice regularly assists clients in all counties in Southern California, including these: