Business Law

A business partnership agreement is a written contract that establishes how partners will own, manage, and operate a business. Learn which terms to include, how ownership and profits are handled, what happens when a partner leaves or dies, and how a strong agreement can help prevent business disputes.

Beast

Sep 21, 2026·21 min

A limited liability company, or LLC, is a business structure created under state law that can provide owners with limited liability protection and flexible management and tax options. LLCs can have one or multiple members, and their owners are generally protected from personal liability for many business debts and obligations, although important exceptions apply. Forming an LLC typically involves choosing a business name, appointing a registered agent, filing formation documents, establishing internal rules, and meeting state and federal compliance requirements. For federal income-tax purposes, LLCs may be treated as disregarded entities, partnerships, or corporations depending on their ownership and tax elections. This guide explains how LLCs work, the benefits and limitations of the structure, the formation process, operating agreements, taxes, ongoing compliance, and common mistakes business owners should avoid.

Beast

Sep 20, 2026·24 min

Probate is the legal process used to settle a person's estate after death. It can involve proving a will, appointing an executor or administrator, identifying and valuing assets, paying valid debts and expenses, addressing taxes, and distributing remaining property to heirs or beneficiaries. Not every asset necessarily goes through probate, and some estates may qualify for simplified procedures instead. Because probate laws and court procedures vary by state, understanding the basic steps can help families navigate the process and determine when professional legal assistance may be appropriate.

Beast

Sep 18, 2026·24 min

A business name can be an important part of a company’s identity, but registering a business with a state does not automatically give you federal trademark rights. Trademarking a business name can provide legal protection for the name when it is used in connection with specific goods or services. The process generally involves searching for conflicting trademarks, identifying the correct owner, selecting the appropriate goods and services, choosing a filing basis, submitting an application to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), and responding to any examination issues. This guide explains how to trademark a business name, what requirements applicants should understand, common mistakes to avoid, and what happens after an application is filed.

Beast

Sep 18, 2026·25 min

A power of attorney allows someone to authorize another person to act on their behalf in financial, property, business, or healthcare matters. Learn about the different types of POA, how they work, what agents can and cannot do, and when a power of attorney may need to be revoked or updated.

Frankly

Sep 17, 2026·15 min

Learn how an Austin business lawyer helps companies with business formation, contracts, partnerships, employment matters, disputes, intellectual property, compliance, and business transactions.

Kafi

Aug 17, 2026·14 min

Forming an LLC yourself through your state costs only the filing fee. Most business owners still pay a formation company anyway, trading a modest fee for speed, a registered agent, and one less thing to get wrong during an already busy launch. The real differences between these companies show up in the fine print, what the first year includes, and what silently converts into an expensive annual renewal.

Frankly

Aug 7, 2026·11 min

The top business law firms for 2026, ranked by Am Law 100 gross revenue, are led by Kirkland and Ellis at 10.556 billion US dollars, followed by Latham and Watkins at 8.3 billion. Wachtell Lipton leads the industry in profit per equity partner at 12.152 million US dollars. Other leading business law firms include Skadden Arps, Sullivan and Cromwell, Davis Polk, Gibson Dunn, Paul Weiss, Cravath, and Simpson Thacher.

Frankly

Aug 6, 2026·14 min

An Austin business lawyer helps local companies form the right legal entity, draft and review contracts, resolve business disputes, and stay compliant with Texas business law. Costs generally run 200 to 450 US dollars per hour, with flat fees common for formation and contract work. Businesses in Austin most often need a lawyer during formation, a contract dispute, a lawsuit, or a business immigration matter involving a founder or key employee.

Frankly

Jul 30, 2026·15 min

Business tax deductions are ordinary and necessary expenses a business can subtract from its taxable income, lowering the amount of tax owed. For 2026, the major deductions include the Section 179 deduction, capped at 2,560,000 US dollars, 100 percent bonus depreciation, the qualified business income deduction of up to 20 percent for eligible pass through owners, and the standard mileage rate of 72.5 cents per mile for business driving.

Beast

Jul 24, 2026·10 min

The most common trademark registration mistakes include skipping a comprehensive search before filing, choosing a mark that is merely descriptive, filing in the wrong class, using the TM symbol incorrectly before registration is complete, underestimating the true cost of registration, failing to properly prove use in commerce, missing post registration maintenance deadlines, and attempting a complex filing without an attorney.

Beast

Jul 24, 2026·16 min