who does a lawyer represent in a corporate dissolution

by Leonardo Schulist MD 7 min read

Can an attorney represent a dissolved corporation California?

Former officers, directors and shareholders of a dissolved corporation retain the protections against personal liability for the corporation. The dissolved corporation can answer a complaint in its own right, and the defense attorneys are free to appear on behalf of the dissolved corporation.Nov 27, 2017

What happens when you dissolve a corporation?

When a corporation is dissolved, it no longer legally exists and, in most cases, its debts disappear as well. State laws usually give additional time beyond the dissolution for creditors to file suits for failure to pay any corporate debts or for the wrongful distribution of corporate assets.Aug 16, 2019

What is the purpose of a corporate lawyer?

The role of a corporate lawyer is to advise clients of their rights, responsibilities, and duties under the law. When a corporate lawyer is hired by a corporation, the lawyer represents the corporate entity, not its shareholders or employees.May 29, 2020

What is a corporate attorney called?

Litigators can also be corporate attorneys, as they are lawyers who represent corporations, either bringing a suit against an identity or defending the corporation if it is being sued. Corporate lawyers are typically found in large law firms, with seasoned experts working as an in-house counsel.Jul 12, 2018

What happens to director of dissolved company?

If evidence of misconduct is found, directors of dissolved companies could be disqualified for up to 15 years and banned from being a director elsewhere.Jan 21, 2022

What is the difference between dissolution and termination?

These terms are often used interchangeably, but have distinct legal meanings. Dissolution is the winding up of the affairs of the entity in advance of the termination of the entity. Termination of the entity occurs when the entity ceases to legally exist.Feb 1, 2017

What are the four responsibilities of lawyers?

It describes the sources and broad definitions of lawyers' four responsibilities: duties to clients and stakeholders; duties to the legal system; duties to one's own institution; and duties to the broader society.Nov 25, 2014

What's the difference between attorney and lawyer?

For example in the US, an attorney is a general term for a lawyer that has passed a bar examination and can practice law in a particular jurisdiction. Attorneys act as lawyers but not all lawyers can perform the work of attorneys.Oct 22, 2021

Do corporate lawyers need to pass the bar?

You can complete the five-year integrated B.A. LL. B or the three-year LL. B degree and then pass the bar exam to start practicing. As you gain work experience and insight in the legal field, you can study further for the one-year LL.Jul 24, 2021

What is the difference between corporate lawyer and advocate?

A lawyer is a general term used to describe a legal professional who has attended law school and obtained a Bachelor of Law (LLB) degree. An advocate is a specialist in law and can represent clients in court.

What is the difference between a corporate lawyer and a commercial lawyer?

Commercial law pertains to those legal principles applied in the world of business and applies to persons and entities who are engaged in business and commercial transactions. Corporate law deals with those legal principles applicable to companies and other legal entities.

What is the difference between corporate and business lawyer?

There has been a lot of confusion when it comes to differentiating between business law and corporate law. While corporate law focuses on legal aspects governing sale and distribution of goods, business law covers legal aspects used in acquisitions, mergers, formation of companies and rights of shareholders.Oct 25, 2016

How to Dissolve a Business

Corporate dissolution can come about in a number of different ways, either voluntarily or involuntarily. To voluntarily dissolve a company, the owner or shareholders can file a Notice of Dissolution with the Secretary of State or as ordered by the court after a vote.

Common Disputes in Corporate Dissolution

Dissolving a business can happen smoothly and quickly if all partners or shareholders are equal partners in the business.

Navigating Corporate Dissolution Disputes

When a dispute arises during corporate dissolution, the first course of action is to have a business litigation attorney review the articles of incorporation, bylaws, and shareholder or partnership agreements. Oftentimes, these documents provide the steps for resolving legal issues between owners or shareholders of the company.

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What is Business Dissolution?

Like marital dissolution, businesses sometimes end up dissolving or in a confrontational divorce.

How Business Dissolution works in Los Angeles

Los Angeles based corporations, LLCs, and partnerships must follow California laws to dissolve.

What Businesses Dissolve in Los Angeles and throughout California?

Any business may face dissolving for different reasons. Some can’t pay their debts and file for bankruptcy. Others dissolve because associates or partners quarrel resulting in a court order terminating the legal entity.

Corporation Dissolution

Shareholders and/or directors decide to dissolve the corporation. Usually this is by a majority vote of the shareholders depending on what the Articles of Incorporation state.

LLC Dissolution

Your lawyer will view the Articles of Organization and the Operating Agreement which should contain provisions about how to dissolve the LLC. Typically, they require a majority vote by the LLC members on a resolution to dissolve.

How our Los Angeles Business Dissolution Attorneys Help You

Whether you voluntarily seek or get dragged into a business divorce or a partnership dissolution many legal documents and forms need drafting and filing. Don’t try to do them yourself!

Cancelling State and Federal Registrations

If you have incorporated as a corporation or a limited liability company (LLC), you have filed your articles of organization with the state of Texas. You also have an ongoing duty to file annual reports with the state. If you fail to do so, you may be penalized.

Paying Debts and Compensating Owners

Under your operating agreement or shareholder agreement, you will have obligations to pay business owners after the payment of all incurred debts. To the extent possible, the business should pay all valid debts of the business to avoid any further liability among the owners of the business.

Call a Houston Business Attorney at the Weisblatt Law Firm, LLC, Today to Dissolve Your Business

If you are dissolving your business, it is important to speak with a business lawyer to make sure you are doing it in a way that will not lead to further liability after dissolution. There are many opportunities for error that can lead to contentious lawsuits or state and federal penalties.

Can an attorney represent a business entity?

The Court first confirmed the general rule: when representing a business entity, an attorney’s client is the entity, not the individual stakeholders, and the individual stakeholders “cannot presume that corporate counsel is protecting their interests.”. As with almost every legal rule, however, there are exceptions.

Can an attorney represent an LLC?

As a general rule, an attorney representing an LLC does not also impliedly represent the LLC’s individual members. While there are exceptions to this rule, LLC members should presume that the LLC’s attorneys are not necessarily looking out for their best interests as members.

What is company dissolution?

Company dissolution involves formally and officially closing it, not necessarily merging with another business or simply restructuring. While there are many reasons as to why you may choose to engage in company dissolution, including changes in the market, marked decrease in revenue, or simply retirement, it can be a very personal decision, ...

How to dissolve a company?

Additional steps you will want to take include: 1 If your business is a partnership, you will need to follow the steps for dissolution as spelled out in your partnership agreement. If there is no such language in your partnership agreement, it is best practice to provide your intention to dissolve the company in writing. 2 Hold a vote, in accordance to any procedural documents your company has, among the partners or shareholders, to dissolve the company. In most cases, a majority of two-thirds is required. 3 Any operating records pertaining to the company will also need to be filed with the Secretary of State. 4 Ensure you know what the proper protocol is in your state regarding when you are expected to file your Articles of Dissolution; in some states all debts with creditors must be resolved prior to filing, while in others, it is expected that you file your paperwork first. 5 Settle any back taxes that may be owed, in accordance with the laws of the state in which you do business 6 Notify the Internal Revenue Service, in addition to your state’s Secretary of State. 7 File any necessary tax documents with the appropriate tax agencies. 8 Cancel any business licenses you may have had by contacting the issuing agency. For example, if you owned a restaurant that served alcohol, you will have a liquor license, so this will need to be cancelled.

What are the articles of dissolution?

What Are Articles of Dissolution? Company dissolution involves formally and officially closing it, not necessarily merging with another business or simply restructuring.

What happens to the Board of Directors when a company dissolution occurs?

When a dissolution occurs, the Board of Directors will need to satisfy all debts and liabilities or create provisions for these to be settled before they can distribute the remaining assets among the shareholders.

How to dissolve a company?

Before a company can be dissolved, shareholders will need to have a vote, and a 50 percent vote of shares is required to dissolve a corporation voluntarily. The voting can occur at a shareholders meeting or simply be done by filing written consent. In the event that a corporation has no shareholder, then it is up to the company's board of directors to have a majority vote to dissolve a company. If this occurs, the directors will need to file a formal resolution. In the formal resolution, it should be stated that: 1 The Board has the authority to create the dissolution. 2 That there are no shareholders.

How to file a dissolution certificate?

When a dissolution of a company occurs, the business is required to file a Certificate of Dissolution with the Secretary of State's office. There are some things you need to know when filing your certificate including: 1 The Certificate of Dissolution must be signed by the majority of directors. 2 The corporation will not be legally dissolved until the Certificate of Dissolution is filed with the state. 3 An officer of the company will need to create the document and sign it. 4 The Certificate of Election to Wind Up and Dissolve is required to be signed by the majority of directors, the majority of shareholders, or 50 percent or more of those who represent the majority of voting shares. 5 The Certificate of Election to Wind Up is not required if the election was made by a vote of all outstanding company shares.

What is a certified copy of a resolution to dissolve a corporation?

A certified copy of a resolution to dissolve a corporation is an important document to maintain when it comes time to dissolve a company. This form is required by the IRS along with Form 966.

How long does it take to file a 966?

Within 30 days of the resolution adopted, an IRS Form 966 must be filed. Along with the form, you must send in a certified copy of the director's resolution. These files will need to be sent to the district director for the district in which the corporate tax is filed.

How to dissolve a corporation?

Once you have decided to close the operations of a corporation, it is recommended that you hold a Board of Director's meeting to formally move to dissolve the corporation. A vote must be taken and the minutes of the meeting must be recorded and retained in the records of the corporation.

How to file a certificate of dissolution?

File a Certificate of Dissolution With the Secretary of State. You can contact the Office of the Secretary of State in the state in which your company is incorporated to obtain the necessary forms required to file an official Certificate of Dissolution with the government agency or you can file the paperwork online.

Is a corporation a business entity?

Legally speaking, the corporation continues to exist as a business entity regardless of whether or not you continue to conduct business operations. Keep in mind, the State continues to expect the corporation to fulfill and to comply with all legal requirements until the time that the corporation has been dissolved formally.

How to Dissolve A Business

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Corporate dissolution can come about in a number of different ways, either voluntarily or involuntarily. To voluntarily dissolve a company, the owner or shareholders can file aNotice of Dissolutionwith the Secretary of State or as ordered by the court after a vote. Corporate dissolution can also be ordered involu…
See more on wagensellerlaw.com

Common Disputes in Corporate Dissolution

  • Dissolving a business can happen smoothly and quickly if all partners or shareholders are equal partners in the business. However, if people own unequal shares of the corporation, one or more parties violated a fiduciary duty, or decisions were made that were not in agreement with the entirety of owners, legal disputes can arise while corporate dissolution is taking place. Some of t…
See more on wagensellerlaw.com

Navigating Corporate Dissolution Disputes

  • When a dispute arises during corporate dissolution, the first course of action is to have a business litigation attorney review the articles of incorporation, bylaws, and shareholder or partnership agreements. Oftentimes, these documents provide the steps for resolving legal issues between owners or shareholders of the company. They also often dict...
See more on wagensellerlaw.com