Our practice focuses heavily  on helping clients build and develop their dream businesses.

Two of the basic ways in which we do this is by a) helping you form your entity (e.g., are you going to be an LLC or an S-Corp?) and b) drafting the necessary documents and contracts you need to make your new business official, so you can start marketing and selling your products or services to clients and customers. Ask us to help you with:

Forming a Corporation, LLC, or Partnership:

• LLC Publication (i.e., publishing your LLC in 2 NY newspapers per state law)
• PLLC Formation (for licensed professionals e.g., lawyers, architects, social workers, psychologists/psychiatrists, accountants, etc.)

Drafting Business Contracts:

• Shareholder Agreements
• Operating Agreements
• Partnership Agreements
• NDA/Confidentiality Agreements
• Selling/Buying a Business
• Selling Your Assets to a Third Party Business

Independent Contractor and Employment Contracts:

• Employee Contracts and Offer Letters
• Personal Service Contracts (for Individuals, Artists, Social Media Influencers, Freelancers, etc.)
• Professional Service Contracts (for Small/Medium Businesses, Vendors, Third-party service providers, Publicists, Managers, Booking Agents, etc.)

App/Web-based Contracts:

• App/Web Privacy Policy
• App/Web Terms of Use
• App/Web Online Sales and Return Policies

FAQs about forming a company or partnership. drafting a contract, and other common DIY mistakes:

Q: “I used an online legal service to form my LLC in New York. I also opened a business banking account. I’m officially in business, correct?”

A: It depends. Did you publish an ad for your LLC in two (2) newspapers for 6 consecutive weeks? Did you (and any partners) draft or sign an operating agreement? If you have not done either of these things, then legally you may not be an official limited liability company in the eyes of New York State just yet. Unlike other states, New York has very old, strict laws about what LLC’s need to do to become official businesses and be able to reap the benefits of things like New York State courts (i.e., if you want to sue someone for any reason on behalf of your business, etc.). We see many clients pay the $200 to form an LLC and stop there… many do not know or do not want to pay to publish 2 ads in two newspapers, but without taking this essential step, your company may not be completely official until you complete these important formation steps. The good news is that publication is fairly easy to do and does not have to be so expensive, depending on where you live or where you formed your LLC. Finally, New York State requires that the members (or owners) of the LLC draft an operating agreement within 120 days of forming your LLC. Whether you are a sole owner or have a partner or several partners, it may be worth consulting an experienced attorney to help draft your operating agreement and make sure you’ve completed all the steps to properly forming your new LLC. For more information on this issue or if you need help forming or completing formation of your LLC, feel free to send us a message with your questions using our Contact Us page.

Q: “I am a freelancer who regularly offers services to other companies/clients. I recently got a request for my services from a new client. Should I just send them an invoice or do I need to send them a contract?”

A: Remember this phrase: “if it’s not in writing, it never happened!”. We sadly often see cases with clients who have performed services like graphic design, videography or photography, audio services, and even live performances and entertainment services, and never got paid, while the person or company that hired them has stopped answering or returning the freelancer’s emails or text messages. Just because you are a freelancer or small business does NOT mean you do not have to protect yourself and your business with a written contract for the services you are providing. A written contract does not have to be long, but it can legally save you if a customer or client decides to hire you and then not pay you. An invoice is only a bill for services; it is NOT a contract, which would generally require signatures by BOTH parties BEFORE any work or services are performed or delivered. Having a written contract protects the freelancer or small business providing the goods or services AND protects your customer or client because the contract will spell out exactly what you are providing, what their legal obligation is (to give you what you need to do the work they need you to do and to PAY you), the price for your time and services, any deadlines, and what the consequences are if you or they do not do their part or honor their portion of the agreement. New York City also offers freelancers the “Freelance Isn’t Free” Act, which helps get freelancers and small businesses paid for services rendered, but you will not be able to benefit from this important legislation because it requires – you guessed it – a written contract for services! For more information on this issue or if you need help writing a contract for a new client or customer, feel free to send us a message with your questions using our Contact Us page.

Additional Business Formation & Contract Services

Remote and Mobile Notary Services

Galvis & Co, also provides customized in-person and remote notary services for individuals and companies in need of a notary capable of witnessing bulk signatures and verifying proper identification. Under NYS law, each signature witnessed is $2, to which we add any incidental costs for time and travel.