Why do I need a Registered Agent?
What is a Registered Agent?The Registered Agent receives state communications regarding important filings and changes in organizational requirements. The Registered Agent is also responsible for receiving notice of a lawsuit (“service of pr...
The risks of using an individual as your registered agent
Choosing a registered agent is a critical issue for newly forming and qualifying companies. In choosing whether to appoint an individual or a corporate registered agent, the company’s owners, as well as business lawyers who advise the owner...
Business Startup Checklist
A startup demands a litany of steps and requirements be completed before switching on that neon “OPEN” sign. From incorporation to developing a brand identity and building a website, here’s a handy, downloadable checklist to ensure you don’...
Mastering entity data compliance: Entity formation
Entity compliance is not only complex; it's also fast evolving. As regulatory compliance is becoming more visible to shareholders, corporate leaders and the public, more companies are outsourcing their state and local-level compliance tasks.Organizat...
On-demand mini webinar: Global transactional services
As companies continue to expand into overseas markets, keeping compliant internationally becomes increasingly complex. This mini on-demand webinar will discuss a broad range of compliance requirements, what global transactional services are, and how...
Doing business in Japan
Japan is the third-largest economy (after the U.S. and China) and a technology powerhouse with a sizable electronic goods industry and automotive manufacturing sector. A major player in global trade and finance markets, the country has fostered relat...
Doing business in Italy
A major economic force in Europe, Italy is an attractive economy for investment. It is the eighth largest economy in the world, the third-largest economy in the European Union, and the 20th largest market for the U.S. It continues to recover from the...
Doing business in Germany
Germany is a very attractive market for investors and new business owners alike. It is the largest economy in Europe and ranks as the fourth-largest global economy.Germany remains a strong magnet for doing business, despite some slowing of outside in...
On-demand webinar: Delaware's Business Entity Laws
Why do most top U.S. companies incorporate in Delaware? The state remains one of the most advantageous for business entity formation, including two-thirds of Fortune 500s and 80% of firms going public. Join this on-demand webinar to explore the many...
The Series LLC: An organizational structure that can help mitigate risk
While most people are familiar with the limited liability company (LLC), few are familiar with a variation of the traditional LLC called a Series LLC. The Series LLC can help organizations protect their assets from liability, and in many cases can do...
The winning formula for global entity management
Today's organizations are capitalizing on strong global economic growth and a deal-friendly environment.Yet success comes with its own set of challenges. In the context of global business expansion, one of the more critical of these challenges involv...
Doing Business in Belgium
Belgium’s prime location in Western Europe, open economy, skilled and multilingual workforce, and established infrastructure make it an attractive option for companies looking to expand.The country’s diverse economy includes transportation services,...
On-demand webinar: Key considerations for international incorporation
Setting up entities abroad can present many challenges and require a significant amount of time and research to ensure success. You need to understand what types of entities are offered within a given jurisdiction, decide if it’s best to set up a bra...
Piercing the veil of small business: What the owners of LLCs and corporations need to know
One of the main reasons—if not the main reason—people form corporations and limited liability companies to own and operate their small businesses is to avoid personal liability for the business’ debts.Corporations and LLCs have their own le...
Statutory conversions of LLCs, corporations, and other kinds of business entities
The form of entity a business operates under—corporation, limited liability company (LLC), or another entity type—can have a significant impact on its chances for success. But sometimes the entity type chosen at start-up stops being the best cho...
Uncovering the hidden liens that can affect your deal
Hidden liens can delay or terminate a transaction and should be carefully considered during the due diligence process. Therefore, it is critical that legal counsel adopt a vigorous search methodology to uncover certain lien types that are pertinent t...
On-demand webinar: End-of-year compliance checklist
While businesses faced unprecedented uncertainty and change in 2020, one constant remains – the need to meet jurisdictional compliance obligations. In the U.S. and internationally, any changes to the business almost certainly triggered new compliance...
Follow the road to compliance success in 2021 (Infographic)
Today’s regulatory landscape is more complex, as state and local governments expand compliance requirements, raise fees and increase enforcement efforts. Even the most dedicated and conscientious business can find it overwhelming to keep up with the...
What's in a (UCC) name? The consequences of not using the "exact legal name"
While UCC code is the same among all states, filing requirements differ.By now the importance of using the exact legal name of the debtor on a UCC filing is understood. To not follow this rule can jeopardize your filing and have it bec...
What You Need to Know About Common Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) Forms
The Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) is a set of regulations adopted to make commerce from state to state easier. While the code is the same among all states, filing requirements differ. It covers consensual agreements between parties and does...
Best practices for UCC filings and searches
Due diligence is significant when performing Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) searches. Originally designed to streamline commerce across all 50 states and territories, the process became more complex after the 2013 adjustments to UCC Revised Article Ni...
Delaware amends its Series LLC law
On August 1, 2019, significant amendments to the Delaware Series LLC law will go into effect. These amendments were enacted by Senate Bill 183, which was signed by Delaware’s governor last year.BackgroundIn 1996 Delaware became the first st...
Incorporators expert insights: Best practices for attorneys conducting international transactions
Working on clients’ international deals can bring a host of unexpected challenges. Plan for success by anticipating the differences and building them into your deal timeline and workflow. Global Services Expert Bianca Erb discusses the importance of...
On-demand webinar: Trusts under UCC Article 9
Filing Trusts under UCC law can be confusing but, nonetheless, Trusts are gaining in popularity. If you’re tasked with understanding this complicated area of law, have no fear. Join this on-demand webinar for a simplified understanding of Trusts unde...
Shareholders of New York Foreign Corporations Beware – You Could be Liable for Unpaid Wages for Services Performed in New York
A general rule of corporation law is that shareholders are not liable for the corporation’s debts – including wages owed to its employees. But there are exceptions to the rule. One of those exceptions is found in Sec. 630 of the New York...
Performing lien and court searches outside the U.S.
Due diligence tasks such as ordering lien and court searches are a common feature of U.S.-based financial transactions. These tasks, which fall under the Uniform Commercial Code's (UCC) Article 9—as well as searches for non-consensual liens...
Why law firms need automation to adapt to a challenging legal market
Technology isn't merely changing the legal industry—it's transforming what it means to practice law in the 21st century.Law firms are continuing to explore new technologies that can be integrated into their core businesses in order to meet fresh comp...
Navigating the Top Challenges of Global Expansion
Growth is the lifeblood of business, so the notion of entering untapped foreign markets is an exciting one for many companies. New markets provide opportunities to increase market share, keep ahead of competitors and amplify global bra...
UCC e-filing vs. paper filing: Considerations for UCC documents
Electronic filing of UCCs has increased at a steady pace over the past few years. In fact, some states have already adopted the policy of accepting UCC filings submitted electronically as their only option. While there are many benefits to the electr...
Protecting your client's UCC position when insolvency looms
As the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to be felt, even companies that seem to be weathering the crisis are facing cashflow issues due to bad debt and possibly insolvency. As such, your clients are preparing for what could be a wa...
What should a company do when it stops doing business in a foreign state
What must, or should, a corporation or LLC do if its owners or managers decide to stop doing business in a state where it has qualified as a foreign entity? This is an issue with increasing relevance as challenging economic times...
Registered agents and annual reports: Essential elements of good standing
When you formed your company with the state—whether you opted for a corporation or an LLC—you filed initial formation documents that provided the state with basic information about your company and appointed a registered agent. Those two steps c...
The Rising Risk of Business Identity Theft: Why Formal Entity Dissolution and Withdrawal is a Critically Important Safeguard
Thanks in part to the massive migration of data online, identity theft has become more prevalent in recent years. The 2017 Identity Fraud Study, conducted by Javelin Strategy & Research, illustrates the scope of the problem. According to the...
New Delaware law encourages sustainability and transparency
An increasing number of companies are committed to sustainability and transparency. And a new Delaware law will give that state’s more than one million business entities a new way to let the public know about their commitment.The corporate sustainabi...
What Are My Annual Report Filing Requirements?
All states impose a reporting obligation on their domestic and foreign business entities. They also penalize companies that don’t comply, which is why it is so important to be familiar with this compliance requirement.What is an annual reportStatutor...
