- SEATTLE: 206-621-1110
- TACOMA: 253-572-1000
- PORTLAND: 971-416-0881
- OLYMPIA: 360-742-3500
What is a corporation?
A corporation is a business entity that is registered as such with the state. Under the law, a corporation acts as an artificial being and is able to participate in business transactions. Corporations are considered to be legal persons and have many of the same rights and responsibilities that individuals do.
Ownership of a corporation is accomplished by holding shares of stock in the corporation. By selling stock, corporations are able to generate funds to expand the business or to increase capital.
What are the benefits of incorporation?
The primary benefit of establishing a corporation is protection from legal liability. In essence, shareholders and officers of the corporation are protected from personal liability for claims against the corporation. This protection is not absolute, however. Under certain circumstances (usually related to fraud), officers and shareholders may be held personally liable for the conduct of the corporation.
Incorporation has other benefits. Banks are more likely to loan to businesses that have incorporated. Corporations exist in perpetuity, they continue after the death of individual members or stockholders. Although the specific tax obligations of corporations differ according to the specific corporate form, corporations are able to reduce their taxable profits through qualified business expenses.
Why hire a law firm to incorporate?
Start your business off right with the help of an experienced business law firm. A law firm can help you choose the correct corporate form, assist you in setting up a proper stock structure, and address crucial questions such as what happens in the event a partner dies or leaves the company. A law firm can keep you up to date on regulatory paperwork, and help you avoid pitfalls not addressed by online incorporation services. Save money on future legal fees by consulting with experienced legal professionals at startup time.
Corporate Law Services in Seattle and Tacoma
The lawyers of Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess have decades of legal experience assisting large and small businesses. We are ready to put our expertise to work for your company. Our familiarity with the Seattle and Tacoma court systems will save your business time and money. We will put into plain English your rights and responsibilities as a business owner, and work as a team to provide our clients with a great breadth of legal knowledge and prevent costly mistakes.
Call Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess now, to find out how we can help your business succeed. Call 253-572-1000 for a phone consultation and quote for future services.
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Attorney Robert Dickson
The core of Rob’s legal practice is civil litigation, with an emphasis on construction, real estate, and business law. He represents a wide range of clients, from large construction companies to individual homeowners. His is a practical approach to law, which strives to balance the need for a successful legal outcome with a client’s financial goals (or constraints). Outside of his private practice, Rob serves as an adjunct professor at the Seattle University School of Law where he teaches real estate litigation. [ Attorney Bio ]
Thomas L. Dickson
Tom is an experienced litigator and the founding partner of the firm. For over 30 years, he’s helped clients prevail in their real estate, construction, and business law matters.
Heather Burgess
Heather represents property owners and developers in all phases of real estate development, from pre-acquisition due diligence through local permitting and appeals.
Robert P. Dickson
The core of Rob’s legal practice is civil litigation, with an emphasis on construction, real estate, and business law. He represents a wide range of clients, from large construction companies to individual homeowners.
Daniel J. Frohlich
Dan’s legal practice focuses on civil litigation, real estate law, business law and probate law. He has more than 10 years of experience as an attorney serving clients throughout Western Washington.
Mark S. Johnson
Mark’s legal practice focuses on civil litigation, real estate law, business law and family law. He works tirelessly to help his clients achieve the outcome they are looking for.
Trevor A. Zandell
Since graduating with honors from law school in 2005, Trevor has been serving the legal needs of businesses, individuals, and families across Southwest Washington.
Daniel E. Pizarro
As an associate at Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess, Daniel is active in the firm’s civil litigation department. His practice is mainly centered around real estate law, landlord-tenant law, construction law, and probate law.
Alexander J. Wisbey
Alexander Wisbey comes to the firm with 5 years of experience as a litigator and trial attorney. He has first chaired several jury trials and has extensive experience handling arbitrations, mediations, depositions, and settlements.
Andrew Hata
Andrew is the head of our Transactional Department and focuses his practice on corporate governance, real estate transactions, commercial contracts, and corporate finance.
Cambria A. Queen
Cambria is an Associate with Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess in the civil litigation department, where she practices primarily real estate and probate law.
George Knight
As an associate at Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess, George is active in the firm’s civil litigation and transactional departments. His practice is mainly centered around business law, real estate law, construction law, employment law, and probate law.
Chris Pierce-Wright
Chris comes to Phillips Burgess Tacoma from Seattle, where he served as an associate attorney focused on insurance litigation with Wilson Smith Cochran Dickerson.
Jennifer Yoo
Jennifer is an associate attorney at Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess where her current practice focuses on real estate law, contract and commercial disputes, and business law.
Kenneth Chan
As an associate at Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess, PLLC, Kenny is active in the firm’s civil litigation and transactional departments. Prior to working at Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess, Kenny was an in-house attorney for a Fortune 100 company.
Brian Buske
Following his graduation from Lewis & Clark Law School, Brian garnered valuable client experience working on international compliance and intellectual property issues.
Matt Wand
Matt was born and raised in East Multnomah County in the Gresham area where he lives and has raised his family. His wife of more than twenty-five years is Anne Wand and they have three children together.
