Corporate Lawyers for Honolulu, Hawaii

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Meet some of our Honolulu Corporate Lawyers

Jeanilou M. - Corporate Lawyer in Honolulu, Hawaii
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Member Since:
August 10, 2023

Jeanilou M.

Small Business Lawyer
Free Consultation
Honolulu, Hawaii
16 Yrs Experience
Licensed in HI CA
Concord Law School

Jeanilou G.T. Maschhoff has over 20 years of comprehensive business operations, finance, and development experience in addition to being a licensed attorney in California and Hawaii. She zealously works as a Trusted Advisor, Business/Brand Consultant, and Advocate for small businesses, non-profit organizations, and personal brands. She is dedicated to helping female business owners and professionals in the entertainment, beauty, fashion, and wellness industries make their goals a reality. She uses her diversified expertise to provide a holistic approach to addressing business and legal needs. Acting as a trusted advisor and outsourced general counsel, she assists on an array of business and personal matters. Passionate about social justice and assisting underrepresented populations, Jeanilou started her legal career working in the non-profit sector working towards access to justice and gender equity. She continues to assist non-profit organizations in many capacities and actively looks to partner businesses with charitable causes, creating a synergistic effect that benefits not only the organizations involved but our society as a whole. As an early adopter of the virtual practice of law, Jeanilou has been assisting law firms and solo practitioners adjust to the remote delivery of legal services and helping businesses explore Web 3.0.

Samantha P. - Corporate Lawyer in Honolulu, Hawaii
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Member Since:
October 24, 2023

Samantha P.

Family Law Attorney
Free Consultation
Honolulu, Hawaii
6 Yrs Experience
Licensed in HI
William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaii

Samantha earned her J.D. at the University of Hawaii, William S. Richardson School of Law and has been a member of the Hawaii State Bar Association since 2020. Samantha has worked as a Family Law attorney in Hawaii since 2020, and has represented clients on a variety of family law matters including: premarital agreements, pre- and post-judgement custody, parenting time and child support issues, pre- and post-divorce issues, interstate custody, and paternity issues. Samantha is a certified E-RYT 200 yoga instructor, taught yoga classes at the Modern Hotel in Waikiki throughout law school, and continues to teach yoga classes at various yoga studios in Honolulu to this day.

Jerry C. - Corporate Lawyer in Honolulu, Hawaii
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Member Since:
October 29, 2024

Jerry C.

Partner
Free Consultation
HAWAII
30 Yrs Experience
Licensed in HI
Univ. of Hawaii, W. Richardson School of Law

I have been practicing law for over twenty years. My practice includes employment/labor law, alternative dispute resolution, estate planning, business and general civil matters.

Shannon Y. - Corporate Lawyer in Honolulu, Hawaii
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Member Since:
July 25, 2025

Shannon Y.

Attorney
Free Consultation
Kailua, Hawaii
13 Yrs Experience
Licensed in HI
William S. Richardson School of Law at UH Manoa

Attorney specializing in Family Law and Small Business Law. Georgetown and London School of Economics alum. Law Degree from UH Manoa Richardson School of Law. Small local business entrepreneur on Oahu for 10+ years.

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Meet some of our other Corporate Lawyers

Aaron S. - Corporate Lawyer in Honolulu, Hawaii
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Member Since:
January 28, 2024

Aaron S.

Attorney
Free Consultation
Los Angeles, CA
7 Yrs Experience
Licensed in CA, TX
University of Texas School of Law

My passion is protecting the passions of others. I have 5+ years of contract review, and all aspects of entertainment law including negotiation, mediation, intellectual property, copyright, and music licensing. I also have experience working with nonprofits, and small businesses helping with formation, dissolution, partnerships, etc. I am licensed in both Texas and California.

Nuo Jia (Lois) L. - Corporate Lawyer in Honolulu, Hawaii
View Nuo Jia (Lois)
Member Since:
February 7, 2024

Nuo Jia (Lois) L.

Managing Member
Free Consultation
New York
12 Yrs Experience
Licensed in MI, NY
University of Detroit Mercy

Attorney Lois Li is a bilingual business and commercial attorney licensed in Michigan, U.S. since 2014, in Ontario, Canada since 2015, and in New York, U.S. since 2020. As an attorney licensed in two countries, Lois leads Alpine Law’s US/China/Canada practice. She is experienced in legal and contractual transactions in both English and Chinese. Lois has over six years of experience in assisting clients with business operations and legal services, and is specialized in advising companies with legal needs in International Business, Securities law, Cryptocurrency – Block chain, and Fin-Tech. Having served as both an outside and an in-house counsel, Lois worked with many startup and small businesses. With a strong understanding of core business and the ability to translate business needs into legal requirements, Lois has assisted many companies to establish policies and procedures, and drafted and negotiated employment and transaction contracts. Further licensed as a Registered Nurse since 2010, Lois specializes in healthcare law and is experienced in FDA, HIPAA, Medicare and Medicaid regulations. She has assisted many businesses in the medical and healthcare industry.

Dany G. - Corporate Lawyer in Honolulu, Hawaii
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Member Since:
February 14, 2024

Dany G.

OnlyFans Attorney
Free Consultation
California
5 Yrs Experience
Licensed in CA, MI
George Washington University Law School

Lawyer Vets APC is a digital legal practice founded on the idea that legal services should be available to all– Not just a privileged few. In support of this mission, we leverage technology to reduce overhead, increase productivity, and put more money in our client's pockets.

Sayema H. - Corporate Lawyer in Honolulu, Hawaii
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Member Since:
February 6, 2024

Sayema H.

Employment Attorney
Free Consultation
Pasadena, CA and Pleasant Hill, C
24 Yrs Experience
Licensed in CA
UCLA School of Law

Sayema Hameed is an experienced California attorney offering exceptional legal services in the field of employment law. With over two decades of legal experience, Sayema provides her clients with thoughtful and strategic advice and counsel, attention to detail, and high quality work to satisfy client goals and achieve successful outcomes. Helping clients maintain legal compliance, reduce liability exposure, and resolve conflicts efficiently are top priorities of Hameed Law Group. Sayema's practice includes preparation and update of employee handbooks, policies, and contracts, as well providing advice and counsel in all areas of employment in California. Sayema makes it a priority to stay up to date on the latest developments in California employment law. Sayema has been recognized as a Southern California Super Lawyer (2019-2024) and previously as a Rising Star (2009-2017) by Super Lawyers, a rating service of outstanding lawyers who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.

Ann D. - Corporate Lawyer in Honolulu, Hawaii
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Member Since:
February 10, 2024

Ann D.

Attorney
Free Consultation
greater Philadelphia area
34 Yrs Experience
Licensed in NJ, PA
TEMPLE UNIVERSITY BEASLEY SCHOOL OF LAW PHILADELPHIA, PA

Ann R. Dougherty, Esquire practices in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey with over 25 years of experience and has taught legal writing at the Delaware Law School of Widener University. Ann’s experience includes general liability, commercial property and bad faith insurance coverage litigation. Ann has successfully represented corporations in declaratory judgment matters concerning environmental and asbestos exposure, handled excess recoveries, comprehensive claim reviews and negotiated cost sharing agreements. She has also represented religious organizations including risk management strategies. In addition to practicing law, Ann also teaches introductory Philosophy and Ethics courses. Ann is a member of the Philanthropic Educational Organization for Women and the Daughters of the American Revolution. She has served on the Boards of the American Lung Association of the Mid-Atlantic for Delaware and the Wilmington Ballet Academy.

Lissette E. - Corporate Lawyer in Honolulu, Hawaii
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Member Since:
February 12, 2024

Lissette E.

Attorney
Free Consultation
Miami
14 Yrs Experience
Licensed in DC, FL, NY
St. Thomas University School of Law

Lissette's legal career, spanning over a decade, is distinguished by her significant achievements in civil litigation and her versatile practice in immigration and corporate law. She has demonstrated a formidable presence in the courtroom, securing a verdict of over two million dollars for a client and settling claims totaling more than three million dollars against insurance companies. She is proficient in complex litigation and corporate matters, assisting corporations with entity formation and regulatory compliance. Her work ensures that businesses not only start on a solid legal foundation but also maintain adherence to legal standards as they grow and evolve. Lissette's tenure at the Department of Justice has also been particularly influential. Working directly with immigration judges, she has developed a nuanced understanding of immigration policies and law, enabling her to craft winning strategies that address the unique challenges faced by her clients. Her career is further enriched by her previous teaching engagements at the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University, where she shared her comprehensive knowledge and experience with aspiring lawyers. Lissette's multifaceted expertise underscores her deep-rooted commitment to legal advocacy and excellence, making her a valued counselor and advocate. Known for her tailored client solutions, Lissette achieves successful outcomes across various legal domains.

Deborah S. - Corporate Lawyer in Honolulu, Hawaii
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Member Since:
February 23, 2024

Deborah S.

Attorney
Free Consultation
Pittsburgh, PA, United States
18 Yrs Experience
Licensed in PA
Duquesne University

My name is Deborah Schwab, and I am an experienced attorney with a background in real estate, contract negotiation, and corporate governance. Currently, I am a transactional counsel with Priscott Legal, LLC, the partner law firm of Ontra.ai. In this remote role, I represent private equity and VC firms and negotiate a high volume of non-disclosure agreements, joinders, and other legal contracts. Prior to this, I served as legal counsel for PennTex Ventures, LLC, where I was responsible for negotiating, drafting, and reviewing contracts and agreements for sales and acquisition of real estate, lease negotiation, and resolving issues involving ancillary transactions. As the first in-house counsel for PTV, I was responsible for all legal and compliance matters and managed outside legal counsel. Before joining PennTex Ventures, I worked as real estate counsel for 84 Lumber & Nemacolin Woodlands, Inc., where I acquired eleven properties with a portfolio value in excess of $15 million. Prior to this, I spent several years as an attorney and supervisor at CNX/Consol Energy, where I worked as a title attorney, trained and managed a team of title attorneys/analysts, conducted due diligence for large land transactions, and identified business/legal risk exposure for multi-state projects. I received my Juris Doctor from Duquesne University and hold a Post Baccalaureate Paralegal Certificate from the same institution. Additionally, I earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Pittsburgh. I am also a court-appointed special advocate working as a volunteer with children who are in the foster care system. Thank you for taking the time to view my profile. I am always open to new opportunities and would be happy to connect with you.

John V. - Corporate Lawyer in Honolulu, Hawaii
View John
Member Since:
February 20, 2024

John V.

owner
Free Consultation
Veach Law PLLC
43 Yrs Experience
Licensed in NC, TN, TX
Georgetown Law School

Education: Georgetown Law (83), Yale (75- BA in Economics), Hotchkiss School (1970). Practice areas have included commercial litigation, individual litigation, and securities litigation and arbitration.

Corporate Legal Questions and Answers

Corporate

Stock Option Agreement

New York

Asked on Jan 20, 2022

ESOP - employee share option plan

Hello! My company provide me a fixed amount ($10,000) of equity within 4 years, with 25% vested after 12 months and said "The options will have a “strike price” which is based on the market value of the Company at the time your options are issued to you." What does it mean? Will i need to pay the different price every year?

Michelle F.

Answered Feb 1, 2022

Would really need to see the documents to properly answer this question. Is the value of the equity fixed at $10,000? Typically you get a number of shares that vest (become available to you) over x amount of time. The strike price is the amount you will pay to the company to exercise the option. (Disclaimer: This is not legal advice.)

Read 1 attorney answer>

Corporate

Operating Agreement

New York

Asked on Mar 29, 2021

What happens if I never created an Operating Agreement for my LLC?

I am being told I need an Operating Agreement for a new LLC I started in NY. I want to know what happens if I don't get one.

Jane C.

Answered Mar 29, 2021

If you do not create an Operating Agreement, the default rules in your state will apply. Disclaimer - This information is provided for general informational purposes only. No information contained in this post should be construed as legal advice and does not establish an attorney-client relationship.

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Corporate

Corporation Agreement

California

Asked on Aug 17, 2025

What are the steps and requirements for forming a corporation in my state?

I am a small business owner looking to expand and protect my personal assets by forming a corporation. I have heard that the process and requirements for corporate formation can vary by state, and I want to ensure that I understand the necessary steps and legal obligations involved in my particular state. I am specifically interested in the formation process, required documents, filing fees, and any ongoing compliance obligations that I need to be aware of. Can you provide guidance on this matter?

Randy M.

Answered Sep 6, 2025

If you're planning to form a corporation in California in 2025, it's important to get every step right, from your initial filings to your long-term compliance obligations. The process itself is well-structured, but both federal and state-level rules have shifted in ways that make the details a bit more complex than they used to be. Let’s walk through what you need to know, one step at a time, based on the latest requirements and guidance. Getting Your Corporation Off the Ground Start by choosing a corporate name that meets the state’s legal requirements. That means it needs to include a word like “Corporation,” “Incorporated,” “Corp.,” or “Inc.” and it must be clearly different from any name already registered with the California Secretary of State. You can reserve a name for 60 days if you need time, but most business owners move straight to filing. Once you’ve confirmed your name, the next step is to file your Articles of Incorporation using Form ARTS-GS, which is the standard form for general stock corporations. The filing fee is $100, and you have the option to file online through the BizFile portal or submit it by mail. After your articles are filed, you have 90 days to submit your initial Statement of Information using Form SI-200. This form provides the state with key details about your corporation, including your business address, officers, directors, and your chosen registered agent. There's a $25 filing fee. Going forward, you'll need to file an updated version of this form annually (Form SI-550) within the six-month window around your incorporation anniversary. If you miss it, you could face penalties or even suspension of your business status. Internally, your corporation is required to adopt bylaws. You don’t file these with the state, but under California Corporations Code §212, you must have them on file at your principal office. Your bylaws should explain how your corporation will operate. That typically includes how meetings are conducted, officer roles, voting rights, and how stock is issued. At your first board meeting, you should formally adopt the bylaws, appoint officers, approve the issuance of shares, and establish a corporate records book. Keep organized copies of your board minutes, stock ledger, and bylaws. Even if you’re the only shareholder, this is a key step to preserve limited liability and maintain corporate formalities. You’ll also need to get an EIN from the IRS. It’s free and available online, and you’ll need it to open a business bank account, file taxes, and hire employees. Depending on what your business does and where it’s located, you may also need a seller’s permit from the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, along with city or county business licenses. The CalGold website is a good place to find out what permits apply to your specific situation. Taxes and Ongoing Corporate Duties All California corporations have to pay an annual minimum franchise tax of $800, as outlined in Revenue and Taxation Code §23153. However, if your corporation is formed in 2021 or later, you're exempt from that tax in your first taxable year. That exemption doesn’t apply to LLCs, since the first-year waiver expired back in 2023 and hasn’t been renewed. There’s also something called the 15-day rule. If you form your corporation during the last 15 days of the calendar year and don’t do any business during that time, you might be able to avoid the franchise tax for that year altogether. This rule is found under Revenue and Taxation Code §23151.5 and only applies if your corporation uses a calendar fiscal year. If you're forming your entity late in the year, timing your filing could make a financial difference. On the compliance side, California corporations are required to hold annual meetings for both directors and shareholders. You also need to document those meetings with written minutes. This applies even if you’re the only person involved. A lot of solo founders skip this step, but that can become a serious issue during audits or lawsuits. If you don’t follow these basic corporate formalities, a court could decide to disregard your limited liability protections. Where Things Stand with Federal Beneficial Ownership Rules As of March 2025, domestic corporations are no longer subject to federal Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting under the Corporate Transparency Act. FinCEN issued an interim final rule on March 26 that revised the definition of “reporting company” to exclude entities formed in the U.S. or any U.S. state. Before that change, most newly formed corporations and LLCs were required to report their beneficial owners within either 30 or 90 days after formation. If you're forming a California corporation today, you do not need to file a BOI report under federal law. That said, keep an eye on this area, because rules can change quickly. There’s always a possibility that a future administration could reverse or revise the rule. Separately, California is considering its own version of a corporate transparency law. Senate Bill 1201 would require corporations and LLCs formed or registered in California to disclose beneficial ownership information to the Secretary of State. Some of that data could be made publicly available. As of now, the bill has passed the State Senate and is pending in the Assembly. If enacted, it would go into effect on January 1, 2026, so there’s currently no state-level BOI filing requirement in California. Optional Elections and Strategic Decisions If you’re thinking about electing S-corporation status, keep in mind that this is a federal tax election made by filing IRS Form 2553. It affects how your business is taxed but doesn’t change your legal structure under California law. S-corporations are pass-through entities, meaning profits and losses are reported on shareholders’ personal tax returns. This can help you avoid double taxation, but there are restrictions. You can’t have more than 100 shareholders, and only certain individuals and trusts qualify. You also can’t issue multiple classes of stock. S-corps can make a lot of sense for small business owners who want to minimize tax liability and don’t need venture capital. Just be sure to talk it through with a tax advisor to see if it fits your situation. Some business owners consider incorporating in states like Nevada or Delaware, thinking they’ll benefit from lower taxes or business-friendly laws. That approach only works if you're actually doing business in those states. If your operations, employees, or clients are based in California, you’ll still need to register as a foreign corporation in California and pay the franchise tax anyway. For most small or local businesses, the added paperwork and costs of out-of-state registration don’t offer much real advantage unless you're planning to scale nationally or raise funding. Most legal issues that trip up corporations down the line stem from skipped formalities or missed deadlines. With solid records, clear bylaws, and a calendar for required filings, you’ll be in good shape. If you need to draft internal documents or resolve formation questions, it’s worth getting those answers early rather than cleaning up mistakes later. The lawyers here on Contracts Counsel would be happy to help!

Read 1 attorney answer>

Corporate

Certificate of Good Standing

Ohio

Asked on Aug 15, 2024

Can you explain what a Certificate of Good Standing is and why it is important for a business?

I recently started a small business and I have heard about this document called a Certificate of Good Standing. I am not entirely sure what it is and why it is important, so I would like some clarification. From my understanding, it is a document issued by the state where my business is registered, but I am unsure of its purpose and how it affects my business. I want to make sure I am in compliance with all necessary requirements and understand the implications of obtaining or not obtaining this certificate.

Melissa G.

Answered Sep 10, 2024

A certificate of good standing shows that your business has complied with all of the applicable laws and regulations for the state in which the business operates (e.g., all required reports have been filed like the annual report; the business has paid all taxes and fees; the business has met any necessary licensing and regulatory requirements, etc.). and that the business is legally authorized to operate in a state. It is important to have so that the business can show potential partners, investors, or lenders that your business has taken the necessary steps to ensure its legal status in the state.

Read 1 attorney answer>

Corporate

Dissolution Agreement

California

Asked on Oct 5, 2024

What is the process for dissolving a corporation?

I am the owner of a small corporation that has been struggling financially for the past few years, and I have finally made the difficult decision to dissolve the company. However, I am unsure about the legal steps involved in the dissolution process and want to ensure that I am following all necessary procedures to avoid any potential liabilities or complications in the future. I would greatly appreciate it if you could provide me with an overview of the process for dissolving a corporation, including any required paperwork, notifications, and potential legal considerations.

Dolan W.

Answered Oct 22, 2024

Hello! I'm so sorry you're having to deal with that. To start, you'll need to formally decide to dissolve the company. This usually involves a resolution by the board of directors and a vote by the shareholders, with the required percentage of votes depending on your bylaws. You've got to then file final tax returns. It's also essential to properly notify your creditors that the corporation is dissolving. This usually involves sending written notice to all known creditors, providing them with instructions for filing claims against the corporation. The other step is to file the actual dissolution documents with the state. The state allows you to do this online. Dissolving a corporation can be really difficult so please consult with us for more! Best of luck! Dolan

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