How to Start a Business: The Legal Step-by-Step Guide from a Business Lawyer

While there are many, many tips out there on how to start a business, most people don’t cover the full legal steps to ensure that your startup business is properly protected. As a business lawyer, I’ve got you covered with everything you need to know about starting a business, with all the best legal advice for your journey. 

How to Start a Business: 7 Legal Steps 

Have a Strong Business Plan

The very first step (really, to anything in life) is to have a good plan. Decide what products or services you’ll be offering, your location, your profit plan, your business structure, etc. Having a clear, concise plan will help you throughout the entire strategy of building your business. And if you need support in this phase, we have you covered. 

Choose a Business Name

Choosing a business name that covers who you are and what your brand does (that strikes the perfect balance between specificity and broadness) is tricky, but as your business lawyer, I’m always here to help create a business name that’s strategic, brand-wise and legal-wise! 

Before finalizing a business name, though, you’ll want to check the USPTO and the Secretary of State’s website to be sure that the name isn’t taken by (or too close to) any previously-registered businesses. 

Register Your Business

The next step will be to register your business through the Secretary of State office. You’ll fill out some paperwork, like your Articles of Organization, and go through the steps to get registered! 

We’ll get more into this a little later, but it’s important to check state-specific laws during this step. Different states have different rules for how to start a business, so making sure you’re following local guidelines is crucial. 

Apply for an EIN

You’ll need an EIN (employee identification number) to carry out your business processes, and you can apply for that right here through the IRS. It’s an easy form to fill out, so don’t fret. 

Check Your State’s Laws & Industry Laws

As stated above, every state (and each industry!) may have different rules for starting a business, so be sure to check any local laws that you may come across through your state’s website, and check into industry laws to see if you have any extra steps for yours. 

Get Proper Insurance for Your Business

As a business lawyer, I’m all about protecting your business, so I know that investing in business insurance is one of the best decisions you can make early on in your business. This is another step where different industries and locations will have specific insurances, so it’s always worth it to look into that. 

Trademark Your Business Assets

I have a full guide on how to do this here, but as a trademark lawyer, I know the importance of protecting your business early on to avoid headaches later on. Identifying potential issues early can help you avoid costly disputes and build a trademark that can be protected for years to come! Trademarking things like your business name, logos, and slogans early on in your startup can avoid heavy rebranding fees and legal feels down the road. 

Create Strong Contracts

Contracts are a crucial part of any business plan, and having legal protections by a business lawyer is a huge piece of your business being protected. A sturdy contract can save you a lot of headaches, and if you need help figuring out what all you may need contracts for, I’m here to help. 

Lindsay Lane Law | Business Lawyer

As business lawyers, we know how much goes into starting a business. That’s why we work with entrepreneurs, content creators, service providers, and small business owners to protect their brands, help their businesses grow, and handle the legal side of things. We’ve got your back, whether it’s for trademarking, contracts, copyrights, or small business law. 

Let’s create your legal strategy for your new business today, together. Book your consultation here!