Corporate Lawyers for Seattle, Washington

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Meet some of our Seattle Corporate Lawyers

Rosario A. - Corporate Lawyer in Seattle, Washington
View Rosario
5.0 (5)
Member Since:
August 24, 2020

Rosario A.

Attorney at Law
Free Consultation
Seattle, WA
6 Yrs Experience
Licensed in WA
University of Washington

I'm a Washington-licensed lawyer specializing in trademark practice and with an extensive trademark education and academic background. I currently work with domestic and international businesses seeking trademark protection in the U.S. by conducting trademark searches, providing legal advice, submitting USPTO applications, and preparing responses to office actions. I'm passionate about trademark law and always looking forward to helping small and medium businesses promote their value by having a registered federal trademark. If you have questions or concerns about trademark/copyright/IP licensing and require legal advice, feel free to contact me and we can have a first chat.

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"Provided what I asked for along with the revisions I needed. Was responsive and attentive to the needs of the project."

Justin A. - Corporate Lawyer in Seattle, Washington
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5.0 (10)
Member Since:
July 7, 2021

Justin A.

Partner
Free Consultation
Seattle, WA
9 Yrs Experience
Licensed in WA NY
The University of Chicago Law School

I am a lawyer who helps small businesses, nonprofits, and startups with a wide variety of agreements, corporate formation, and corporate governance. ​ I earned my BA from Tulane University and my JD from the University of Chicago Law School. Before starting my own practice, I worked at an international law firm in New York City. ​ Outside of work, I am on the board of the nonprofit Seattle REconomy (which runs the NE Seattle and Shoreline tool libraries) and I enjoy gardening, baking bread, and outdoor activities with my spouse and two dogs.

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"Justin provided excellent, expedient service and made sure my needs were met satisfactorily."

Jason P. - Corporate Lawyer in Seattle, Washington
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5.0 (5)
Member Since:
December 1, 2022

Jason P.

Business Lawyer
Free Consultation
Portland, OR
10 Yrs Experience
Licensed in WA OR
Lewis & Clark Law School

Jason is a self-starting, go-getting lawyer who takes a pragmatic approach to helping his clients. He co-founded Fortify Law because he was not satisfied with the traditional approach to providing legal services. He firmly believes that legal costs should be predictable, transparent and value-driven. Jason’s entrepreneurial mindset enables him to better understand his clients’ needs. His first taste of entrepreneurship came from an early age when he helped manage his family’s small free range cattle farm. Every morning, before school, he would deliver hay to a herd of 50 hungry cows. In addition, he was responsible for sweeping "the shop" at his parent's 40-employee HVAC business. Before becoming a lawyer, he clerked at the Lewis & Clark Small Business Legal Clinic where he handled a diverse range of legal issues including establishing new businesses, registering trademarks, and drafting contracts. He also spent time working with the in-house team at adidas® where, among other things, he reviewed and negotiated complex agreements and created training materials for employees. He also previously worked with Meriwether Group, a Portland-based business consulting firm focused on accelerating the growth of disruptive consumer brands and facilitating founder exits. These experiences have enabled Jason to not only understand the unique legal hurdles that can threaten a business, but also help position them for growth. Jason's practice focuses on Business and Intellectual Property Law, including: ​ -Reviewing and negotiating contracts -Resolving internal corporate disputes -Creating employment and HR policies -Registering and protecting intellectual property -Forming new businesses and subsidiaries -Facilitating Business mergers, acquisitions, and exit strategies -Conducting international business transactions ​​ In his free time, Jason is an adventure junkie and gear-head. He especially enjoys backpacking, kayaking, and snowboarding. He is also a technology enthusiast, craft beer connoisseur, and avid soccer player.

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"Very nice! Great on responding back and being available! Recommend 100% !"

Curt B. - Corporate Lawyer in Seattle, Washington
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5.0 (4)
Member Since:
March 25, 2023

Curt B.

Managing Partner
Free Consultation
Los Angeles, California
12 Yrs Experience
Licensed in WA CA, CO, DC, FL
UCLA School of Law

Curt Brown has experience advising clients on a variety of franchising, business litigation, transactional, and securities law matters. Mr. Brown's accolades include: - Super Lawyers Rising Star - California Lawyer of the Year by The Daily Journal - Pro Bono Attorney of the Year the USC Public Interest Law Fund Curt started his legal career in the Los Angeles office of the prestigious firm of Irell & Manella LLP, where his practice focused on a wide variety of complex civil litigation matters, including securities litigation, antitrust, trademark, bankruptcy, and class action defense. Mr. Brown also has experience advising mergers and acquisitions and international companies concerning cyber liability and class action defense. He is admitted in California, Florida, D.C., Washington, Illinois, Colorado, and Michigan.

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"I was very impressed with the responsiveness and knowledge brought to my situation."

Janice K. - Corporate Lawyer in Seattle, Washington
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5.0 (19)
Member Since:
August 30, 2023

Janice K.

Counselor
Free Consultation
Washington
24 Yrs Experience
Licensed in WA CA
Empire College School of Law, Santa Rosa, CA

Twenty-plus years experience in family law, employment law, public agency law, federal, state and local contracts drafting and review, appellate practice.

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
4.7

"Janice was friendly, kind and efficient. She always held my best interest in mind and was very respectful and helpful at all times. Thank you so much Janice!"

Reuben O. - Corporate Lawyer in Seattle, Washington
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Member Since:
October 21, 2021

Reuben O.

Senior Managing Attorney
Free Consultation
Seattle/Boise
17 Yrs Experience
Licensed in WA ID
The University of Iowa

As an entrepreneur at heart, I enjoy working with business owners and executives on a variety of corporate matters, including mergers and acquisitions, corporate financing, corporate governance, public and private securities offerings, privacy regulation and early-stage corporate matters including formation. As a lawyer and business professional, I understand the value of providing personal service and focused legal answers to clients navigating a rapidly changing regulatory environment. Whether in Aerospace, Consumer Goods, or Technology, I find great success in work collaboratively with clients to strategical structure their business or implementing strategic growth-oriented financing opportunities.

Amy P. - Corporate Lawyer in Seattle, Washington
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Member Since:
February 9, 2022

Amy P.

Principal Attorney
Free Consultation
Edmonds, WA
22 Yrs Experience
Licensed in WA
The University of Montana School of Law

Amy has served as outside general counsel and litigator to established businesses throughout western Washington since 2010. Her passion and focus is providing the best possible representation for clients in the construction, transportation and hospitality industries.

Eleanor W. - Corporate Lawyer in Seattle, Washington
View Eleanor
Member Since:
July 3, 2023

Eleanor W.

Attorney
Free Consultation
Bellevue, WA
14 Yrs Experience
Licensed in WA
Seattle University School of Law

I have been working as a document review attorney since 2011. I have also done some business and estate planning work. I am fluent in English, Chinese, French, and Japanese.

Diamond R. - Corporate Lawyer in Seattle, Washington
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Member Since:
July 30, 2023

Diamond R.

Attorney
Free Consultation
Houston, Texas
3 Yrs Experience
Licensed in WA DC, NY
Wayne State University

July 29, 2023 My name is Diamond Simpson Roberts, ESQ, MSPH and I am convinced that I can be a value added asset to most any company. As the first in my family to graduate a four-year university, I graduated from Wayne State University Law School in 2000 but could not afford a bar prep course upon completion. After over 20 years, I sat for the July 2022 UBE, successfully passed and am currently licensed in three states! This is an example of my self-motivation, internal drive and passion. I offer over 28 years of diverse experience in healthcare, strategy, sales/marketing, legal/policy and business savvy. I have many years building, leveraging, and sustaining long term relations to drive revenue as an entrepreneur and for corporations. My analytical strengths provide me with an innate ability to think through tough situations/topics while viewing both vantage points (which is excellent for law and life). I have been appointed to serve on numerous committees due to my heightened ability to identify client issues and priorities and provide solutions based upon relevant products, services and needs. I have led teams with and without authority; specifically, I have managed teams for an Adult Foster Care Facility called Etonne Cares, during my post-graduate fellowship with the largest Catholic Healthcare System in the U.S. and during my two-year executive order appointment with the Federal Government (Presidential Management Fellowship). Most importantly, I am a collaborative team player who knows how to improvise, overcome and adapt! I offer numerous years of being a pharmaceutical trainer and being an adjunct using the online platform. I welcome the opportunity to continue in the interview so that I may further highlight the skills I can (and will) contribute to my success in the role. Respectfully, Diamond Simpson Roberts, ESQ, MSPH DQSSIMPSON@GMAIL.COM M: 313-942-6747

Daniel W. - Corporate Lawyer in Seattle, Washington
View Daniel
Member Since:
July 31, 2023

Daniel W.

Principal Attorney
Free Consultation
Gallup, New Mexico
16 Yrs Experience
Licensed in WA ID, NM
Seattle University School of Law

In my thirteen years of practice, I've had the opportunity to argue cases in state, federal, and tribal courts; in subjects as diverse as gaming, land tenure, water rights, treaty rights, finance, employment, criminal defense, conflict of laws, and tort (among others). But the real value I brought my clients came through avoiding litigation, fostering relationships, and developing long-term strategies.

Wilberforce A. - Corporate Lawyer in Seattle, Washington
View Wilberforce
Member Since:
September 22, 2023

Wilberforce A.

Supervising Attorney
Free Consultation
Baltimore, Maryland
19 Yrs Experience
Licensed in WA
Seattle University

Wilberforce Agyekum is an attorney with 16 years of experience practicing in areas of contracts, immigration, and criminal law. Wilberforce received a Bachelor of Science degree from Washington Adventist University, and Juris Doctorate from Seattle University School of Law.

McCoy S. - Corporate Lawyer in Seattle, Washington
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Member Since:
December 4, 2023

McCoy S.

Founding Attorney
Free Consultation
Portland, Oregon
35 Yrs Experience
Licensed in WA CA, NY, OR
University of Virginia

P. McCoy Smith is the Founding Attorney at Lex Pan Law LLC, a full-service technology and intellectual property law firm based in Portland, Oregon, U.S.A and Opsequio LLC, an open source compliance consultancy. Prior to his current position, he spent 20 years in the legal department of a Fortune 50 multinational technology company as a business unit intellectual property specialist; among his duties was setting up the free & open source legal function and policies for that company. He preceded his in-house experience with 8 years in private practice in a large New York City-based boutique intellectual property law firm, working simultaneously as a U.S. patent litigator and U.S. patent prosecutor. He was also a patent examiner at the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office prior to attending law school. He is licensed to practice law in Oregon, California & New York and to prosecute patent applications in the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office; he is also a registered Trademark and Patent Agent with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office. He has degrees from Colorado State University (Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering, with honors), Johns Hopkins University (Masters of Liberal Arts) and the University of Virginia (Juris Doctor). While in private practice, and continuing into his in-house career, he taught portions of the U.S. patent bar exam for a long-standing and well-known patent bar exam preparation course, and from 2014-2020 was on the editorial board of the Journal of Open Law, Technology & Society (JOLTS), and starting in 2023 will be on the editorial board of the American Intellectual Property Law Quarterly Journal (AIPLAQJ). He is the author or co-author of chapters on open source and copyright and patents in “Open Source Law, Policy & Practice” (2022, Oxford University Press). He lectures frequently around the world on free and open source issues as well as other intellectual property topics.

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Corporate Legal Questions and Answers

Corporate

Shareholders Agreement

Connecticut

Asked on Jul 8, 2023

Pros & cons of shareholders agreements?

I am a shareholder in a small business and am looking to draw up a shareholders agreement. I understand that a shareholders agreement can protect my interests as a shareholder, but I am not sure of the pros and cons of such an agreement. I would like to know more about the benefits and drawbacks of having a shareholders agreement in place.

Thomas L.

Answered Jul 21, 2023

Shareholders have rights and powers under the corporate law of the jurisdiction in which the company is incorporated. But many stockholders, especially in private companies, demand additional powers and protections.

Read 1 attorney answer>

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

Asset Purchase Agreement

Texas

Asked on Oct 4, 2022

Should asset purchase agreement be notarized?

Do we need to notarize an APA? I have tried to do research online and cannot find anything. I am trying to budget for a new acquisition and want to make sure I have all of my ducks in a row. Are there any other documents I will need?

Michael S.

Answered Nov 8, 2022

First, I highly recommend you get legal representation in connection with your purchase agreement. Second, I'm not a Texas lawyer, but generally an asset purchase agreement will not need to be notarized.

Read 2 attorney answers>

Startup

Founders' Agreement

Texas

Asked on Sep 12, 2021

Signing Founders Agreement as non-us resident?

I am from Ecuador and I am going to sign a Founder's Agreement with a person from Texas. I want to know in detail what are things I must take into consideration before signing this agreement.

Don G.

Answered Sep 17, 2021

I'm assuming the Founders Agreement is an agreement establishing owners, managers and ownership percentages. You should focus on: Terms regarding when your interest in the company vests; How your shares will be valued in the case you want to leave or are terminated; It should include some type of waiver of individual liability for acts taken on behalf of the company; and Voting rights - If there is only one founder that has a large percentage of ownership (like 75%), you need to make sure the terms give your vote power. This can be accomplished by each founder having 1 equal vote. If the largest owner of the company owns less than 50% interest and there are 3 or more members, there's no real fear of one person making all of the decisions. I'm sure there are other items to consider as every such agreement is unique. Best of luck!

Read 2 attorney answers>

Corporate

LLC

Connecticut

Asked on Jun 1, 2023

How does an LLC work?

I am in the process of starting a business and have been advised to form an LLC. I am not familiar with the structure of an LLC, and am interested in learning more about how it works and the benefits it provides. I would like to understand the legal implications of forming an LLC and how it can help protect my personal assets.

Thomas L.

Answered Jun 30, 2023

Tax: An LLC is a "pass-through" entity, so it does not pay income taxes. Instead, its owners pay income taxes on their share of the LLCs profits. So it avoids the double taxation of corporations (the corporate pays income taxes and then the stockholders pay income taxes on their dividends). 2. An LLC is controlled by its "Operating Agreement" (similar to corporate bylaws). An LLC can be set up as a limited partnership (passive investors, and the Managers have 100% control - e.g. real estate), a corporation (the investors get to vote once a year for a "Board of Managers" - a business with significant investment), or a partnership (no board, the owners all vote on every issue - a professional services firm). The choice depends on the nature of the business.

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