Seattle and Tacoma LLC Lawyer

There are different legal entities you can create to own a business. Sole proprietorships and partnerships are the simplest, but owners expose themselves to potential personal liability if things go wrong. A limited liability company (LLC) may be able to shield you from that liability, depending on the situation. Business owners have many options. A Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess’s LLC lawyer can discuss which entity is right for you.

What is a Limited Liability Company (LLC)?

A limited liability company (LLC) is a type of business entity that provides many of the advantages of a corporation, combined with the tax advantages and flexibility of a partnership.

What can an LLC do?

LLCs can engage in any lawful, for-profit business or activity other than banking or insurance.

Who manages an LLC? Does it need a board of directors?

An LLC can choose a member to be the manager or hire an employee. A benefit of an LLC in Washington State is that it doesn’t need a board of directors like a corporation.

Who Can Be Part of an LLC?

An LLC can be one or more members, including individuals, trusts, estates, partnerships, limited partnerships, corporations, other LLCs, or other business entities.

Can an LLC member be a foreign national?

Yes, but the person must have a U.S. Taxpayer Identification Number if the business is engaged in a U.S. trade or business. If the person is working in the U.S. for the LLC, they will need the proper visa or be a permanent resident (have a “green card”) to do so legally.

Are there restrictions on the number of members?

There needs to be at least one, but, otherwise, the number isn’t restricted.

How is member compensation determined?

That’s up to the members to decide. It need not be linked to how much ownership the member has.

Are LLCs Easy to Change?

After the LLC structure is created, it’s easy to add new members or sell interests to someone else. LLC paperwork requirements are more relaxed than the C-Corp business structure, a benefit of an LLC in Washington State. Generally, LLCs have fewer restrictions on many administrative issues compared to other business entities.

Which businesses might be a better fit for an LLC?

LLCs may be a good option for medium- or higher-risk businesses, owners with significant personal assets to protect, and owners who want to pay a lower tax rate than they would with a corporation.

How long does it take a lawyer to make an LLC?

It’s not a long process. Most of the time is spent discussing with the client whether an LLC is the best fit for the business. It’s a matter of creating legal documents. Filing an LLC with the Secretary of State can be done online.

What are the benefits of an LLC in Washington State?

Under an LLC structure, personal assets (e.g., a home, personal vehicle, etc.) are not subject to the debts and liabilities of the company. This liability shield is not foolproof, however. As with corporations, under limited circumstances, a person can “pierce the corporate veil” and can reach an individual’s personal assets. An LLC may be the right choice for short-term projects or joint ventures. Multiple businesses or individuals can work together, and there would be a specific dissolution date or term — the number of years the LLC is expected to exist.

How are LLC members taxed?

Double taxation usually occurs with a corporate business structure. The corporation and the owners are taxed separately. An LLC prevents this because the LLC isn’t taxed (unless you want it to be taxed like an S corporation), but members’ income is taxed as if they’re partners.

What are the disadvantages of an LLC?

LLC profits are subject to self-employment taxes, including Medicare and Social Security. LLCs must retain more than one member or be subject to federal taxes as a sole proprietorship or corporation. LLC filing papers and regulatory requirements differ from state to state.

Washington State LLCs

LLCs in Washington State must file an annual report with the Secretary of State, and if they have more than one member, obtain an IRS Employee Identification Number. Washington State LLCs must also appoint a registered agent with a physical address in the state of Washington, to receive service of process. Out-of-state LLCs doing business in the state of Washington must also appoint a Washington-based registered agent and register with the Secretary of State.

Although Washington State does not require LLCs to have operating agreements, a solid operating agreement can address a variety of issues that may arise during the course of business. An experienced Washington State LLC attorney can help draw up an operating agreement that will grow with your new company.

Why Hire a Law Firm to Form an LLC?

LLCs have specific requirements which must be met in order to obtain tax advantages. Setting up your business properly in the startup phase can save you significant money in the long run. An experienced LLC lawyer can help you understand whether it’s the best choice of business entity for you, as well as help you navigate complicated regulatory requirements and keep up with mandatory filings.

Seattle and Tacoma Business Law Services

Choose an experienced corporate law firm for your business. LLC attorneys at Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess have provided legal services to small and large companies in the Seattle and Tacoma area for decades. We can discuss the benefits of an LLC in Washington State and whether it’s the right choice for your business. Our knowledge of the local courts and judiciary will potentially save your business valuable time and money.

Attorney Robert Dickson

Attorney Robert DicksonThe 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 ]

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    Attorney Thomas L. Dickson

    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.

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    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.

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    Attorney Robert P. Dickson

    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    Alexander J. Wisbey

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    Kelley Duggan

    As an associate at Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess, Kelley practices in a wide range of areas, including estate planning, probate, civil litigation, and intellectual property law.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    Attorney Lacey L. Hatch

    Lacey L. Hatch

    Lacey has developed an in-depth knowledge and has successfully advised clients in an array of land use matters, including project review, code drafting and interpretation, as well as a variety of litigation pertinent to land use issues.

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    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.

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    Katherine E. Baals

    As an associate at Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess, Katherine practices in a range of areas, including real estate, construction, business, and civil litigation.

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    Attorney Kenneth Chan

    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.

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    Attorney Brian Buske

    Brian Buske

    Following his graduation from Lewis & Clark Law School, Brian garnered valuable client experience working on international compliance and intellectual property issues.

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    I can’t even tell you how much I appreciate this firm! These guys helped me through one of the most challenging legal situations I’ve faced in my life. Their skill and expertise literally saved my business. I’ve dealt with other counsel in the past but the Dickson firm was by far the most competent and tactful counsel I’ve ever received. I would recommend this group to anyone!

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