Corporate Business Law Attorney Serving Auburn, Washington

Building and running a business is a significant achievement. It requires dedication, vision, and a solid legal foundation. A business owner's journey is filled with decisions, and having a legal partner to help you make sound choices is vital for sustained success and protection against future disputes. 

With over two decades of experience, Boswell Law Offices, PLLC, provides seasoned legal guidance to businesses in Washington. Our attorney takes a client-focused approach, meaning we shape our strategies around your specific goals and circumstances. From our office in Auburn, Washington, we serve businesses across Tacoma, Kent, and throughout Southern King County and Pierce County. 

Our Approach to Your Business Needs

Legal support should be a collaborative process. We work with you to understand the specific operations, goals, and challenges of your company. Our approach is straightforward: we provide clear, actionable advice tailored to your situation. We don't believe in a one-size-fits-all solution because every business is unique. By focusing on your objectives, we help you establish a strong legal foundation that supports growth, manages risk, and fosters stability. Our goal is to build lasting relationships with the businesses we serve, acting as a reliable legal resource through every stage of your company's life cycle. 

What We Do: Comprehensive Business Law Services 

We offer a comprehensive range of services tailored to address the legal needs of your business, from its inception to its ongoing operations. 

Business Formation and Structuring

Starting a new venture is an exciting time, and choosing the right business structure is one of the most important first steps. The entity you select will affect your personal liability, tax obligations, and administrative requirements. We guide our clients through this decision-making process, helping them understand the benefits and drawbacks of various structures, including: 

• Sole proprietorships: Simple to set up, but they do not separate the owner's personal assets from business debts. 

• Partnerships: Agreements between two or more owners, which require a clear partnership agreement to function smoothly. 

• Limited Liability Companies (LLCs): A popular choice that offers liability protection for owners while providing flexibility in management and taxation. 

• Corporations (S-corps and C-corps): More formal structures that offer significant liability protection but come with more stringent record-keeping and regulatory requirements. 

We help with all the necessary filings and documentation to establish your business officially and set you on the right path.

Contract Drafting, Review, and Negotiation

Contracts are the backbone of your business operations. They define relationships with vendors, clients, employees, and partners. A poorly drafted contract can lead to costly misunderstandings and legal battles down the road. We provide thorough contract services to protect your interests, including: 

• Drafting clear, enforceable contracts tailored to your specific needs. 

• Reviewing existing contracts to identify potential risks and unfavorable terms. 

• Negotiating on your behalf to secure favorable terms and conditions. 

We handle everything from employment agreements and non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) to vendor contracts and commercial leases. 

Corporate Governance and Compliance

Once your business is running, maintaining compliance with state and federal regulations is essential. We help you establish and maintain good corporate governance practices. This includes assisting with drafting bylaws, documenting board meetings, maintaining corporate records, and understanding your duties as a director or officer. Adhering to these formalities is not just about following rules; it's about protecting the liability shield that your business entity provides. 

Understanding Washington Business Laws

Businesses operating in Washington are required to follow a specific set of state laws. The Washington Business Corporation Act (WBCA), found in Title 23B of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), governs the creation, operation, and dissolution of corporations in the state. For limited liability companies, Title 25.15 RCW outlines the relevant statutes. 

These laws have specific requirements for everything from naming your business and filing articles of incorporation to holding annual meetings and maintaining a registered agent. For example, Washington law requires corporations to hold annual shareholder meetings and keep minutes of those meetings. Failing to adhere to these corporate formalities can have serious consequences, including the potential for "piercing the corporate veil," which could expose owners to personal liability for business debts. We help our clients understand and fulfill these obligations, so they can run their business with confidence. 

Who We Serve in the Auburn Community

We are proud to serve a diverse group of clients in Auburn and the surrounding communities of Pierce County and Southern King County. Our clients include: 

• Entrepreneurs and startups: We help new business owners turn their ideas into reality by providing the legal framework needed for a strong start. 

• Small and medium-sized businesses: We act as ongoing legal counsel for established companies, assisting with day-to-day legal matters, growth strategies, and dispute resolution. 

• Family-owned businesses: We understand the unique dynamics of family-run enterprises and provide guidance on succession planning and governance to help preserve the business for future generations. 

Whether you are launching a new tech startup, running a retail shop, or managing a service-based business, we are here to support your legal needs.