Business Formation
Starting a business is one of the most exciting and important steps toward independence and success. At The Viera Law Firm, we guide entrepreneurs, professionals, and small business owners through every stage of forming their company with precision and legal care.
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Whether you are launching a Limited Liability Company (LLC), a Professional Limited Liability Company (PLLC), or registering a Doing Business As (DBA) name, we handle the process from start to finish, ensuring compliance with New York State regulations and protecting your professional interests from day one.
Services
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Entity Formation: PLLC, LLC, Corporation, Nonprofit, and DBA registrations in New York and other states.
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Business Name Registration: Assumed name (DBA) filings and publication compliance.
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Operating Agreements & Bylaws: Drafting customized agreements that define your company’s structure and protect your interests.
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EIN & Tax Registration Assistance: Guidance on obtaining your Employer Identification Number (EIN) and understanding business tax requirements.
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Annual Compliance & Filings: Support with biennial statements, amendments, and ongoing state compliance.
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Contract Drafting & Review:
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Service Agreements
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Partnership or Shareholder Agreements
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Independent Contractor Agreements
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Confidentiality & Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs)
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Client Engagement & Consulting Contracts
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Business Consultations: Legal guidance to help you choose the best entity type, understand liability and tax implications, and ensure compliance with professional regulations.
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We help turn your business idea into a legally protected reality; efficiently, affordably, and with personalized attention.
Business Consultation
Entity Formation
Contract Drafting & Review
Common Business Entities
Choosing the right business structure is one of the most important steps when starting a company. Each entity type offers different levels of liability protection, tax treatment, and management flexibility. At The Viera Law Firm, we help you understand your options and select the structure that best fits your goals and professional needs.
Sole Proprietorship
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Definition: A business owned and operated by one person, with no legal distinction between the owner and the business.
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Liability: The owner is personally responsible for all debts and obligations.
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Best for: Very small or low-risk businesses; freelancers or independent contractors.
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Optional filings: May file a DBA (Doing Business As) to operate under a trade name.
Limited Liability Company
(LLC)
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Definition: A flexible hybrid entity that combines the liability protection of a corporation with the tax benefits and simplicity of a partnership.
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Liability: Owners (“members”) are generally not personally responsible for debts or lawsuits.
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Best for: Small to medium businesses seeking flexibility and protection.
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Variants:
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PLLC (Professional LLC) – required for licensed professionals (attorneys, social workers, doctors, etc.).
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Single-Member LLC – one owner.
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Multi-Member LLC – two or more owners.
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Professional Liability Company (PLLC)
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Definition: A Professional Limited Liability Company (PLLC) is a type of Limited Liability Company (LLC) formed by licensed professionals such as attorneys, social workers, doctors, psychologists, architects, and accountants, to provide professional services that require state licensure. It combines the flexibility of an LLC with the ethical and regulatory compliance required for professional practices.
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Liability: A PLLC protects its members from personal liability for business debts and obligations (such as leases or vendor contracts). However, each member remains personally responsible for their own professional negligence or malpractice.
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Best For: Licensed professionals who wish to operate their own practice with limited liability, while complying with state licensing and ethical regulations.
Corporation
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Definition: A separate legal entity owned by shareholders and managed by a board of directors.
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Liability: Strongest personal liability protection.
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Best for: Businesses planning to scale, raise capital, or have employees.
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Variants:
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C-Corporation – default type; profits taxed at the corporate and shareholder level.
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S-Corporation – allows “pass-through” taxation for eligible small corporations.
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Limited Partnership (LP)
Professional Corporation (PC)
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Definition: Similar to a regular corporation but formed by licensed professionals (lawyers, social workers, doctors, etc.).
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Liability: Protects from general business debts but not from professional malpractice.
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Note: Each shareholder must hold the professional license required to practice.
Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)
General Partnership (GP)
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Definition: Two or more people share ownership of a business.
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Liability: Each partner is personally liable for the business’s debts and actions of other partners.
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Best for: Professionals or small ventures with mutual trust among partners.
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Formality: Created automatically when two or more people do business together, though a written partnership agreement is strongly advised.
Doing Business As (DBA)
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Definition: Includes at least one general partner (manages and assumes liability) and one or more limited partners(investors with limited liability).
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Liability: Limited partners’ liability is restricted to their investment amount.
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Best for: Investment ventures or businesses seeking passive partners.
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Definition: A partnership where partners have limited personal liability for certain debts and obligations.
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Common for: Licensed professionals (law firms, accounting firms, etc.).
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Key feature: Each partner is shielded from the negligence or misconduct of the others.
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Definition: Not a separate legal entity, simply a trade name under which an existing business operates.
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Purpose: Allows individuals or entities to use a business name different from their legal name.
Not sure which business structure is right for you?​​​
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​Understanding the differences between business entities is the first step toward building a solid foundation for your company. Choosing the right structure can protect your personal assets, reduce your tax burden, and help your business grow with confidence.
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At The Viera Law Firm, we take the time to learn about your goals and guide you through every stage of the formation process, from selecting the most suitable entity (LLC, PLLC, Corporation, Nonprofit, or DBA) to ensuring compliance with New York State regulations.
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Whether you’re launching a new venture or restructuring an existing business, we provide clear, personalized legal guidance to help you make informed decisions that set you up for success.
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Schedule your Business Formation Consultation today and start your business with clarity, confidence, and the legal support you deserve.
Contract Drafting & Review
Contracts are the foundation of every successful business relationship. A well-drafted agreement not only defines expectations but also prevents future misunderstandings and costly disputes. At The Viera Law Firm, we provide personalized legal support to help you create, review, and negotiate contracts that protect your interests and promote long-term stability.
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Whether you are launching a new business, hiring employees, partnering with another company, or offering services to clients, we ensure your agreements are clear, enforceable, and compliant with New York law. We focus on both the legal precision and the business practicality of your contracts so you can operate with confidence and peace of mind.
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Our Contract Services Include:
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Custom Contract Drafting: We prepare legally sound agreements that reflect your business needs and protect your rights.
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Contract Review & Analysis: We evaluate existing contracts to identify risks, unclear terms, and areas for negotiation or improvement.
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Partnership & Shareholder Agreements: Clear definitions of ownership, roles, profit-sharing, and exit strategies.
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Independent Contractor & Employment Agreements: Protect your business while maintaining fair and compliant working relationships.
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Client Service & Consulting Agreements: Define scope, payment terms, deliverables, and responsibilities to avoid disputes.
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Non-Disclosure & Confidentiality Agreements (NDAs): Safeguard your proprietary information, trade secrets, and client data.
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Vendor, Lease & Collaboration Agreements: Ensure fair terms and strong protections in your commercial relationships.
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Contract Negotiation Support: Strategic guidance to help you achieve favorable and balanced terms before signing.
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At The Viera Law Firm, we take the time to understand your goals and business structure, translating complex legal concepts into clear, actionable documents. Our approach combines professionalism, accessibility, and attention to detail, ensuring that your contracts support growth while minimizing risk.
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​Protect your business with confidence.
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Schedule your Contract Consultation today and let us help you build the legal foundation your business deserves.