Are you going to practice law as a solo practitioner, in an association of attorneys, as a professional corporation, or as a professional limited liability partnership? To form an entity, you’ll need a Certificate of Admission and Good Standing.
Before you enter into a professional relationship with another attorney, make sure you share the same vision for the business and are compatible. It’s easier to begin a professional partnership than to end one. Issues to consider:
- Trustworthy partner(s)
- Tax consequences
- Liability issues
- Transferability of interest
- Limitations imposed by statute
Below is a listing of different legal entities and respective advantages/disadvantages for your practice. It is always wise to seek counsel from an accountant to determine individual tax consequences.
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
A sole proprietorship has no separate existence from its Individual owner. Hence, the limitations of liability enjoyed by limited liability entities do not apply to sole proprietors. The debts of the entity are the debts of the individual. A sole proprietorship’s income is taxed as the personal income taxes of the individual and the income is taxed on the profits made, making accounting much simpler. A sole proprietorship need not worry about double taxation like a corporate entity. You may also use a trade name or “Doing Business As”. See Mass. R. Prof. Conduct 7.5. This allows the proprietor to do business with a name other than his or her legal name and also allows the proprietor to open a business account with banking institutions. However, under G.L. c. 110, §5, any person doing business under a name other than his own must file a business certificate with the town or city hall where he maintains an office.
GENERAL PARTNERSHIPS
This is a business entity in which partners share with each other the profits or losses of the business in which all have invested. See G.L. c. 108A. A partnership agreement should be used to define critical issues about how profits and losses will be divided, firm management undertaken, and how the partnership will be dissolved. Partners are jointly and severally liable.
PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION
A professional corporation is comprised of “[o]ne or more individuals, each of whom is licensed to perform a professional service. . . .” G.L. c. 156A, §7. Corporation formation is governed by G.L. c. 156A. The shareholder’s individual liability is limited as set forth in G.L. c. 156A, §6(a) and SJC Rule 3:06: Use of Limited Liability Entities. Again, a shareholder agreement shall be used to define the shareholders’ investment, duties, obligations, means of departure, and how capital investment and division of corporate assets will be handled.
THE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY (LLC)
The formation of this legal entity is governed by G.L. c. 156C and provides certain advantages of limited liability and flow through taxation. But, liability is again also governed by SJC Rule 3:06. The governance, investment, duties, obligations, shareholder rights upon exit are all governed by the shareholder agreement. Formation of this entity requires annual filings and payment of a fee to the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
THE LIMITED LIABILITY PARTNERSHIP (LLP)
The formation of an LLP is governed by G.L. c. 108A. All partners are jointly liable for debts and obligations of the partnership, subject to certain limitations under G.L. c. 108A, § 15. See also SJC Rule 3:06. Best practices suggest a comprehensive partnership agreement to govern essential issues of the partnership. Formation of this entity requires annual filings and payment of a fee to the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
RESOURCES
Choosing a Law Firm Entity Structure (Legal Toolkit Podcast)
Choice of Entity for the Solo Attorney
Lawyers Doing Business in Massachusetts: Must a I File a D/B/A?
SJC Rule 3:06: Use of Limited Liability Entities
2018 Tax Reform Essentials for Lawyers
FURTHER READING FROM OUR LENDING LIBRARY
The Essential Formbook (Anthony Davis, American Bar Association)
How to Start & Build a Law Practice (Jay Foonberg, American Bar Association)