Starting a business in Florida is no small feat. In addition to complying with state and local laws, it is important to understand the right type of entity for your business needs and the regulatory compliance implications involved. When you launch a business, you may also have various types of intellectual property that you need to register to protect the future of your venture, your brand, and your profits.

It is all too easy to miss key legal requirements without an experienced attorney by your side handling essential documentation and legal procedures. A Fort Lauderdale corporate law and business litigation lawyer could assist domestic and foreign companies looking for streamlined, tax-advantageous solutions to launch a business in Florida.

Common Types of Business Entities

There are several types of business entities that a Fort Lauderdale corporate lawyer could help clients establish. Sole proprietorships are by far the simplest type of business entity one can establish, as these are legally one entity with the sole proprietor or owner of the business. With a sole proprietorship, the owner is held liable for the liabilities of the company but will not need to pay separate business taxes.

Many companies choose instead to establish a limited liability company or a corporation in the state of Florida. Where sole proprietorships have minimal compliance requirements to remain in good standing, corporations must adhere to certain tax obligations, keep meeting minutes, and establish bylaws. The owners of a corporation are wholly separate from the entity itself.

In the case of an LLC, only the entity is liable for the debts and liabilities of the business instead of its owners or managers. However, an LLC owner can still be personally liable if they specifically engage in wrongdoing while running the business.

A corporate formation attorney can guide business owners through vital decision-making processes while handling the key steps to establish an LLC or corporation in Fort Lauderdale. A lawyer can handle procedures such as drafting articles of incorporation, operating agreements, meeting minutes, establishing registered agent service, and overseeing the payment of filing fees.

Safeguarding a Business Owner’s Intellectual Property

Whether because of inadequate trademark research, the use of infringing products (like symbols, services, or marks), or infringement of social media sites, disputes over intellectual property are likely to arise while doing business. Whether filing a business litigation dispute or responding to allegations of intellectual property infringement, it is vital to secure qualified representation from a Fort Lauderdale business litigation lawyer.

Copyright infringement can occur when one party uses, distributes, or copies another party’s registered original work of authorship without permission. Trademark infringement involves the unauthorized use of a mark that is identical or confusingly similar to a registered trademark.

Confusion between copyrights and trademarks, infringement of copyrighted works in advertising, and misuse of copyrighted works in domain names are just a few potential instances that can lead to litigation. Some disputes may be resolved through enforcement of exclusive rights, negotiating a settlement, or negotiating a licensing agreement with the infringing party. Litigation may also lead to an award of monetary damages, as well as injunctive relief, while establishing a reputation that deters future potential infringers.

Speak with a Fort Lauderdale Corporate Law and Business Litigation Attorney

Lomnitzer Law can provide different crucial services to get your business off the ground. Additionally, if you already operate a business in Florida but are facing business litigation issues like intellectual property disputes, trade secret claims, or rights of publicity violations, a Fort Lauderdale corporate and business litigation lawyer could immediately get to work asserting or defending against such claims.

Let one of our aggressive and highly trained lawyers answer your questions, explain your rights, and help you put together a strong claim or legal defense. Contact our office today to speak about your business needs in a confidential legal consultation.

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