Corporate Structure Lawyer
At Di Pietro Partners, our team of dedicated business and corporate structure lawyers specializes in navigating the complexities of corporate governance and organizational design.
With a profound understanding of the intricate legal landscape that shapes corporate entities, our lawyers offer expert guidance to ensure your company’s structure aligns with your strategic business goals.
Whether you’re establishing a new corporation, restructuring an existing company, or exploring innovative growth strategies, our legal team provides tailored solutions that cater to the unique challenges and opportunities your business faces.
Recognizing the dynamic nature of the corporate world, our corporate structure attorneys are committed to delivering personalized legal services that address the specific needs of business owners and entrepreneurs. From drafting shareholder agreements and managing corporate compliance issues to advising on mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures, our comprehensive legal support is designed to secure your business’s success at every stage of its lifecycle.
Corporate Structure Legal Entities
Sole Proprietorship – The simplest and most straightforward business form in Florida, with the business owner directly responsible for all debts and liabilities. No formal filing with the state is necessary to establish a sole proprietorship, but the owner may need to register a fictitious name and obtain local licenses.
General Partnership – In Florida, a general partnership is formed automatically when two or more individuals engage in business for profit. Similar to sole proprietorships, general partnerships do not require state filing but are subject to personal liability for business obligations.
Limited Liability Company (LLC) – Florida LLCs offer flexibility and protection, shielding members’ personal assets from business debts. LLCs in Florida benefit from pass-through taxation and have fewer compliance requirements compared to corporations. Registration with the Florida Department of State is required.
Corporation (C Corp) – A Florida corporation exists as a separate legal entity, offering liability protection to its owners (shareholders). Corporations can issue stock and are subject to corporate income tax. Incorporation involves filing Articles of Incorporation with the Florida Department of State.
S Corporation – An S Corp in Florida is a tax designation that allows corporations to pass income directly to shareholders, avoiding double taxation. S Corps must first be filed as a corporation with the state before electing S Corp status with the IRS.
Professional Corporation (PC) or Professional Limited Liability Company (PLLC) – Designed for licensed professionals (e.g., lawyers, doctors) in Florida, these entities provide liability protection with certain restrictions. They must register with the Florida Department of State and adhere to governance standards specific to their profession.
Nonprofit Corporation – For charitable, educational, religious, or scientific purposes, Florida nonprofit corporations enjoy tax-exempt status. They must file with the Florida Department of State and adhere to strict operational guidelines to maintain their nonprofit status.
Cooperative (Co-op) – Co-ops in Florida are businesses owned and operated by a group of individuals for their mutual benefit. They are popular in agriculture, retail, and services and are governed democratically. Registration and adherence to specific cooperative statutes are required.
Limited Partnership (LP) and Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) – Florida also recognizes LPs and LLPs, where LPs have at least one general partner with unlimited liability and one limited partner with liability restricted to their investment. LLPs offer liability protection to all partners but require registration with the state.
Corporate Litigation Lawyers
Corporate disputes can become quite complex. This is evident when you read the Florida Statute on corporations and shareholder duties. When encountering these disputes, it’s important to have legal counsel that’s specialized in this area of law. The corporate litigation lawyers at our firm are skilled in handling various legal problems that corporations may face throughout their existence. These issues include, but are not limited to:
- Anti-discrimination law compliance
- Breach of contract defense
- Breach of contract litigation
- Compliance with corporate governance regulations
- Corporate tax compliance
- Defense against wrongful-termination lawsuits
- Personal injury defense and issues with Torts
- Shareholder disputes (i.e breach of agreements, fiduciary misdeeds, etc)
- Shareholder-derivative lawsuits
- Wage & hour compliance
What Are Corporate Structures?
Corporations are legal entities that are separate from the people that form the corporations. Corporations exist as a product of corporate law and their rules balance the interests of the shareholders. The shareholders invest their capital and the employees of the corporation contribute their labor to the process of gaining an income and providing economic growth within the corporation.
One main feature of a corporation is that the shareholders and employees are not liable for any debt that the corporation may enter if it fails. The shareholders will lose the money they invested into the corporation and the employees will lose their jobs but nothing more. Neither party will be liable for paying off any debts that the corporation falls into.
Talk To a Corporate Structure Lawyer
Take the first step towards securing your business’s future today. Our managing partner, David Di Pietro, brings unparalleled expertise to every case, from contractual disputes and injunctions to fraud and shareholder litigation.
At Di Pietro Partners, we leverage years of experience gained at one of Fort Lauderdale’s most prestigious business law firms, delivering tailored solutions to small business owners and entrepreneurs across Florida.
Whether you’re just starting out, looking to expand, or navigating complex legal challenges, we’re here to help.
Don’t let legal obstacles derail your business goals. For a partner who understands your needs and knows how to protect your interests, reach out for a free consultation today.