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Posts about legal issues related to starting a small business


What's Missing from Your LLC's Operating Agreement?
The Issue : Off-the-shelf Operating Agreements don't contain provisions to help resolve three common challenges. Owners will spend a lot...
Joel Ankney
Jun 272 min read
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Which State to Use for Your LLC or Corporation?
You may hear and see a lot of trendy advice about creating your LLC or corporation in a state where your business is not located, like...
Joel Ankney
Mar 13, 20212 min read
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What You Should Know About Registered Agents
I serve as a Registered Agent for many Virginia limited liability companies and corporations. I'm often asked the following questions...
Joel Ankney
Mar 13, 20214 min read
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What's a Russian Roulette Deadlock Clause?
If your LLC or corporation has two or more owners, you can get stuck (deadlocked) on making a decision or taking action if no one has...
Joel Ankney
Mar 13, 20212 min read
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Do Your Company's Legal Documents Support Your Special Status?
Have you set up your company to qualify for a special status, such as a women-, veteran-, or minority-owned business? If so, do your...
Joel Ankney
Mar 13, 20212 min read
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Are You Restricted From Starting Your Business?
You may have a great idea for a new business. Where did that idea come from? Is it related to your current employment? If so, do you have...
Joel Ankney
Mar 13, 20213 min read
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Gig Economy Business v. Gig Economy Worker
I help people start and run gig economy businesses. A gig economy business is different than a gig economy worker. A gig economy worker...
Joel Ankney
Mar 13, 20212 min read
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My New Book: Before You Leap
I help people start and run independent contracting, consulting, and freelance businesses. I published a new book this week that teaches...
Joel Ankney
Mar 13, 20211 min read
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An LLC Won't Protect You from Your Negligence
An LLC is a great tool for shielding your personal assets from your business liabilities, but it won't protect you from everything. It...
Joel Ankney
Mar 13, 20211 min read
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I Prefer LLCs
A limited liability company (LLC) should be the default choice when you are thinking about starting a business, entering a joint venture,...
Joel Ankney
Mar 13, 20212 min read
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Startup Presentation to ODU Entrepreneurship Center
Five concerns startup businesses have: (1) Protecting personal assets, (2) Protecting and retaining your "toolkit," (3) Transferring ownership of work product, (4) Getting paid, and (5) Resolving client disputes.
Joel Ankney
Mar 13, 20211 min read
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Transferring Founder IP Rights
If a company founder creates intellectual property ("IP") before forming an LLC or corporation, how does the LLC or corporation become...
Joel Ankney
Mar 13, 20212 min read
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Pandemic v. Recession: What I Saw Small Businesses Do in 2008
Economic Downturns: Questions I saw my small business clients ask
Joel Ankney
Mar 13, 20212 min read
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No Job? Start A Business
One of my most successful clients recently reminded me that he started his consulting business during the 2008 recession when no one was...
Joel Ankney
Mar 13, 20211 min read
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What Type of Entrepreneur are You?
Knowing which type of entrepreneur you are is one of the first steps to identifying the types of legal issues you will encounter in your business.
Joel Ankney
Mar 13, 20212 min read
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What Information Will Your Lawyer Need to Create Your LLC or Corporation?
Improve the efficiency and speed of your lawyer's creation of your Virginia LLC or corporation by being prepared to provide the following information during your initial phone or in-person consultation:
Joel Ankney
Mar 13, 20212 min read
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