Harrison & Johnston helps entrepreneurs and small business owners throughout the Shenandoah Valley and Northern Virginia to establish the foundation for ongoing success by selecting and forming business entities and drafting governing documents best suited to achieving their goals.
If you are an entrepreneur or want to establish your own business, selecting and forming the right entity structure for your early-stage or growing venture is one of the most impactful steps in your business journey. Your choice of entity and the documents you put in place to govern its ownership and operations will determine how you run your business, your relationships with partners, co-owners, investors, and lenders, your tax obligations, and the vulnerability of your personal assets.
Given the foundational role that business entity selection, formation, and governance play in a company’s success, it is critical to get it right. It is equally important to have experienced business lawyers at your side to ensure that you do.
A Personal Approach to Business Formation
At Harrison & Johnston, we work with clients in the Shenandoah Valley and throughout Northern Virginia to position them for sustained success through selecting and establishing optimal business structures. We do so by developing a holistic assessment of each client and their unique priorities, resources, concerns, and goals.
As business owners ourselves, we understand what is at stake when launching a new venture. When you meet with us, we will take the time to explain your options and outline the potential benefits and downsides of each choice. We will answer all of your questions and provide clear, actionable guidance. While we will do everything necessary to protect and advance your interests when establishing your business and drafting governing documents, we will never “over-lawyer” a matter or add needless complexity.
Establishing The Structure Best Suited To Reaching Your Goals
Our business entity selection and formation representation includes preparing and filing all necessary documents with the Virginia State Corporation Commission or the equivalent authorities in other jurisdictions, such as articles of incorporation or organization, foreign registrations, and fictitious name registrations. We also assist our clients with compliance with ongoing legal requirements such as the filing of annual reports.
Our lawyers have extensive experience in the formation of:
- C-Corporations
- S-Corporations
- Limited Liability Companies
- General Partnerships
- Limited Partnerships
- Non-for-Profit Corporations
- Benefit Corporations
- Cooperatives
- Professional Corporations
- Professional Limited Liability Companies
- Limited Liability Partnerships
Clearly Defining Roles and Relationships To Provide Clarity and Minimize Disputes
Agreements that clearly define the relationships, rights, and obligations of owners and partners can help businesses avoid costly misunderstandings and destructive conflicts while facilitating effective management and efficient operations. We craft meticulous documentation for corporate ownership, governance, and succession, including partnership, shareholder, and buy-sell agreements.
