Legal Considerations When Starting A Business: A Workshop With Opticliff Law

This workshop is designed to address key legal issues to consider for small business owners. You will discuss questions such as

• When is it time to incorporate rather than do business under my own name?
• Should I be an LLC, partnership, sole proprietorship, or a corporation?
• If I do business in multiple states (or hope to later), should I incorporate in Maine or elsewhere?
• If I’m a software or tech company, do I really need to incorporate in Delaware, as I keep hearing I should?
• What if I am doing business with one or more partners?
• What should I know about choosing a partner or co-founder?
• Since I don’t have cash flow yet, is it okay to staff my business by using contractors/freelancers rather than employees?
• (Time permitting) Naming your company & trademark basics: When and how should I be thinking about making sure there’s not another company already using the name I picked for my business, and how can I “claim” that name so others can’t use it?

There will be a 45 minute Q & A session following the workshop presentation by attorney Ezekiel Callanan of Opticliff Law.

Opticliff Law, LLC is a Portland-based law firm for people starting or growing their business(es), with a focus on trademarks, business transactions, contracts, securities exemption and other legal matters for startups.

When: Tuesday, November 29, 9:00-10:30am

Where: Portland Public Library, Meeting Room 4