What is corporate governance?

Corporate governance is the set of rules, practices, and records determining how a company is directed and controlled. It covers board composition and duties, shareholder or member rights, meeting and minute requirements, conflicts of interest, and document retention.

Do I need a board of directors for a small company?

It depends on entity type and state law. Corporations generally require a board. LLCs typically do not, though many adopt a similar management structure. Investors often require board formation as a condition of funding.

What happens if a company never keeps board minutes?

Missing governance records can weaken liability protection, complicate financings and acquisitions, and create problems in disputes. Reconstructing them later is difficult and sometimes not possible.

What is entity selection?

Entity selection is choosing the legal form of your business, such as an LLC, S-corporation, or C-corporation. The choice affects taxation, ownership flexibility, investor eligibility, and administrative obligations.

Corporate Strategy

Entity structure, governance, and the legal foundation your business runs on

At HMLG, we know a solid foundation is the cornerstone of every successful business. Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur, an ambitious startup, or an established company looking to scale, we’re here to help you create the framework you need to thrive.

What Corporate Strategy Covers at Every Stage

We don’t believe in cookie-cutter solutions. At HMLG, we take the time to get to know your business, your vision, and your unique challenges. By aligning our expertise with your goals, we develop a legal strategy to maximize your long-term success.

How HMLG Works as Your Corporate Counsel

We’re a seamless extension of your executive team, navigating the complex legal and business issues that arise at every stage of your growth.

Our expertise includes:

Choosing the Right Structure: Selecting the most effective entity type and structure to support your business goals and minimize risks. 
Streamlining Operations: Implementing proactive legal and business processes to protect your assets and improve efficiency. 
Balancing Goals and Risks: Providing practical guidance to weigh business objectives against liabilities, administrative costs, and potential pitfalls. 
Corporate Governance: Establishing maintainable governance practices to ensure compliance, transparency, and long-term stability.

When Corporate Structure Problems Surface

Most corporate problems are discovered years after they are created. A cap table nobody maintained. Founder equity with no vesting. Contractor agreements with no IP assignment. Board minutes that were never taken.

None of these feel urgent when they happen. All of them become urgent during a financing, an acquisition, or a dispute, at the exact point when they are most expensive to fix.

HMLG builds the structure correctly at the start and maintains it as the business changes.

Corporate Formation and Governance

Employees and Contractors

Financings, Acquisitions and Exits

FAQ

What does a corporate attorney do for a business?

A corporate attorney handles entity structure, governance, ownership and equity, employment and contractor relationships, and the transactions a business enters. The work covers both setting the structure up and maintaining it as the company grows.

What entity type should my business use?

The answer depends on ownership structure, tax treatment, investor expectations, and the state of formation. LLCs, S-corporations, and C-corporations each carry different consequences, and the right choice for a company raising outside capital is usually different from the right choice for a founder-owned business.

When should a company formalize its corporate governance?

Before it needs to. Governance records are examined during financings, acquisitions, and disputes, and reconstructing them after the fact is expensive and sometimes impossible.

What is a cap table and why does it need attention?

A cap table records who owns what portion of a company, including shares, options, and convertible instruments. Investors and acquirers examine it closely, and errors in it can delay or reduce the value of a transaction.

ARE YOU READY TO TRANSFORM YOUR LEGAL STRATEGY?

Let’s connect! Whether you’re looking for an in-house legal team or need to augment your existing counsel, HMLG is ready to help you rock your business.

Contact us today to learn how we can assist you with practical, proactive, world-class legal support.

3213 Harbor Avenue SW, Ste. A2
Seattle, WA 98126
(206) 774-0879

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