WA Business Law Blog

You may be subject to certain new legislation passed by Congress known as the Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”). If you have any ownership interest or control in any existing entities (such as corporations or limited liability companies), the CTA may directly affect you. Importantly, the CTA significantly impacts applicable entities by imposing a mandatory reporting… Read More

Companies rely on their directors to advise on important issues and oversee the company’s senior executives to ensure the company continues to stay the correct course. In their advisory and oversight roles, directors may be called on to review a shareholder demand and determine whether to pursue the shareholder’s requested action. When a Board receives… Read More

Section A: A Comparative Analysis of Partnerships and Corporations In answering the question, “What is an LLC?” we begin by exploring the fundamental differences between partnerships and corporations. This foundational knowledge sets the stage for our subsequent discussion in Section B on Limited Liability Companies (LLCs), which embody characteristics of both these traditional business structures.… Read More

If you are thinking of starting a business, buying investment property, or purchasing a second home, you should consider forming a limited liability company (“LLC”). An LLC is a flexible business structure that offers many benefits, including: Legal protection: An LLC separates your personal assets from your business liabilities, so you are not personally responsible… Read More

I recently gave a talk to local small business owners about the Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”) focused on the basics of the CTA: who reports, what information is reported, and when the information is reported. However, an attendee asked a very good question: as a director  on the Board of several local corporations, what are… Read More

David Tingstad, the Chair of Beresford Booth’s Business and Real Estate Group, has long served on Washington State’s Partnership Law Committee.  David, and Douglas Batey co-authored an article regarding a recent court of appeals case that wrongfully stated Washington’s LLC Act was based on the Revised Uniform LLC Act.  The article is important work and… Read More

When individuals form entities in Washington State, they most commonly set up Limited liability Companies ("LLCs"), which provide significant tax and liability benefits. People form LLCs in numerous different industries and for a large variety of reasons, including to limit their liability for business carried out by the LLC. Eventually, however, the LLC will run… Read More

The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), passed by Congress January 1st, 2021, became effective in 2022 and aims to fight money laundering and other illicit activity. It is likely your business is required to comply with the CTA and report specific information to the government, including your driver’s license or passport. As lawyers who work regularly… Read More

Security interests in personal property are governed by the Uniform Commercial Code (“UCC”). A security interest is an interest granted in personal property to secure payment or performance of an obligation. For example, a business owner borrows money for its business and grants a security interest to the lender in the owner’s inventory and equipment.… Read More