Business Law in New York

Forming your business the right way

Choosing the right legal structure is the first decision a new business owner has to get right. An LLC offers liability protection with flexible management, a PLLC applies to licensed professionals such as doctors, accountants, and architects, and a corporation or sole proprietorship may fit other situations depending on ownership, tax goals, and industry. Getting business formation right from the start avoids costly restructuring later.

New York adds its own requirements on top of the basic filing. LLCs must publish a notice of formation in two newspapers designated by the county clerk, and the cost varies significantly by county. New York also expects LLCs to adopt an operating agreement. Our attorneys handle LLC formation and PLLC formation from entity selection through the publication requirement and a properly drafted operating agreement.

Contracts and agreements that keep a business running

A business runs on its agreements, and the quality of those agreements determines how well it holds up under pressure. Operating agreements and shareholder agreements set out who owns what, how decisions get made, and what happens when a partner wants out. Nondisclosure agreements protect confidential information, while vendor and employment contracts define the terms that keep daily operations predictable and enforceable.

Many disputes trace back to a contract that was never reviewed by an attorney or was copied from a generic template that did not fit the business. Ongoing general counsel support means these documents get drafted or reviewed before problems arise, not after. Our running a business services cover contract drafting, review, and the day-to-day legal questions that come up once a company is operating.

Protecting your brand with trademarks

A trademark protects the names, logos, and slogans that identify a business to its customers. Without registration, a business risks another company using a similar name or mark, causing customer confusion and diluting the brand the owner has spent time and money building. Federal registration with the United States Patent and Trademark Office gives a business nationwide protection and legal tools to stop infringement.

Registering a mark also puts a business in a stronger position if a dispute arises later, since federal registration creates a public record of ownership and the date of first use. Enforcement matters too: a trademark that is not actively protected against unauthorized use can weaken over time. Our trademarks practice handles searches, registration, and enforcement so a business’s brand stays protected as it grows.

Buying, selling, or closing a business

Buying or selling a business can be structured as an asset sale or an entity sale, and the choice affects taxes, liability, and which contracts and licenses carry over to the new owner. Due diligence is the stage where a buyer verifies financials, contracts, leases, and any outstanding liabilities before money changes hands, and it is where problems get caught while there is still time to address them.

Closing a business requires its own legal process. Dissolution involves formally ending the entity’s legal existence, while winding down means settling debts, notifying creditors, and distributing any remaining assets to owners in the correct order. Skipping these steps can leave owners personally exposed to claims. We guide clients through buying and selling a business and through business dissolution so each transaction or closure is handled correctly from start to finish.

Business counsel for founders and established companies

Founders launching a new venture and owners running an established company face different questions, but both benefit from having an attorney who understands their business rather than a rotating cast of contacts. A founder needs help with entity choice, early contracts, and getting the foundation right. An established company needs ongoing counsel for contracts, employment issues, and larger transactions as the business matures.

At Fisher Stone, clients work directly with a dedicated attorney, with flat-fee pricing quoted before any work begins, so there are no surprises and no call center in between. Our office at 42 Broadway serves clients across the five boroughs, Westchester, and New Rochelle, giving us direct familiarity with New York’s specific filing and compliance requirements. Explore how we support startups and established businesses at every stage.