Starting a business involves more legal groundwork than most founders expect: choosing the right entity, understanding ongoing compliance obligations, and putting basic agreements in place before problems come up rather than after. We help small businesses incorporate and navigate the legal matters that come with running a company, from formation through the questions that arise as you grow.
This service is currently available for clients in New York and DC, with Maryland coming soon. If you are outside those jurisdictions, reach out anyway. We can often point you in the right direction even where we are not yet able to represent you directly.
Who This Helps
- Founders choosing between an LLC, corporation, or other entity structure
- New business owners who need help with formation documents and state filings
- Small businesses that need standard agreements in place, such as operating agreements or founder agreements
- Business owners with questions about ongoing compliance obligations as the company grows
- Founders in New York or DC looking for ongoing small business legal counsel
- Immigrant entrepreneurs whose business plans intersect with their own immigration status
How We Handle These Cases
Entity Selection
We walk through the tradeoffs between an LLC, S-corp, C-corp, and other structures based on your specific business, ownership, and tax situation.
Formation & Filing
We prepare and file the formation documents with the state, and help you put foundational agreements in place from the start.
Ongoing Compliance
We advise on the recurring obligations that come with running a company, so small requirements do not turn into bigger problems later.
Growing With You
As your business grows, we are available for the legal questions that come up along the way, from bringing on a co-founder to revisiting your structure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I form an LLC or a corporation?
It depends on your goals, particularly around taxation, liability, and whether you plan to raise outside investment. An LLC often offers more flexibility for a small, closely held business, while a corporation may make more sense if you are planning to bring on investors. We walk through this based on your specific plans rather than a one-size-fits-all answer.
Is this service available where I live?
Right now, this service is available for clients in New York and DC, with Maryland coming soon. If you are located elsewhere, reach out and we will let you know what we can help with directly.
Do I need a lawyer to form an LLC, or can I just use an online service?
You can technically file the paperwork yourself or through an online service, but those services generally do not advise on which structure fits your situation or put the underlying agreements in place that protect you if a dispute comes up later. A lawyer's value is mostly in what happens before and after the filing, not the filing itself.
Can you help if my business involves immigration considerations, like sponsoring my own visa?
Yes, and this is actually a common situation for us given our immigration background. We can coordinate business formation with the immigration side of your plans, whether that involves a visa category tied to business ownership or hiring employees who need sponsorship down the line.
This page is provided for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Every immigration case depends on its specific facts. Contact Murph & Tchamda LLP to discuss your situation with a licensed attorney before taking any action.