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California Law Corporation Formation

California Law Corporation Formation

Form your California law corporation the right way.

Your law license is your livelihood. LawInc helps solo attorneys form California law corporations correctly from the start.

Important: California attorneys generally cannot practice law through an LLC or ordinary business corporation. Attorneys who want to incorporate a law practice generally use a California law corporation, with attorney ownership, share restrictions, and State Bar registration requirements.
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  • A real California law firm — attorney-led, not a filing service
  • Flat fee formation package — standard California state filing fees included
  • Bylaws & stock prepared with State Bar share restrictions
  • Direct attorney access during formation

Prefer the phone? Call (310) 765-2525

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Eligibility

Does a law corporation fit your practice?

If any of these apply, entity choice matters. Speak with LawInc before forming the wrong entity.

1. Are you a licensed California attorney?

Active members of the State Bar of California are subject to specific rules when they incorporate a practice.

2. Will the entity practice law?

If the entity will provide legal services, an LLC or ordinary business corporation is generally not the right vehicle. A California law corporation is the structure attorneys generally use to incorporate a law practice.

3. Will anyone else own equity?

Law corporation ownership is generally restricted to licensed attorneys. The bylaws, shares, and ownership structure need to match the applicable rules.

4. Are you considering S-Corp tax treatment?

S-Corp tax treatment may be available, but you still need the right legal entity first. Tax election comes after entity choice.
If you answered yes to #1 or #2: an LLC or ordinary business corporation is generally not the right entity for the practice of law. Speak with LawInc before filing.
The common mistake: choosing an entity based only on tax treatment. For California attorneys, the first question is whether law corporation rules apply. Tax election comes after the legal entity is correct.
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Who this is for

California attorneys we help

From solo practice to growing firm — incorporated correctly, by attorneys.

Going solo

Attorneys leaving a firm or going independent who want S-corp tax efficiency and a clean corporate structure.

Small & growing firms

Firms incorporating their practice as they add attorneys or restructure ownership.

Fixing a wrong setup

Attorneys who formed an LLC, ordinary corporation, or other wrong entity and need to restructure into the proper law corporation.
What is included

More than filing Articles

A law corporation is not just a Secretary of State filing. Bylaws, share restrictions, and the tax election all matter.

State filing

Articles of Incorporation prepared and filed with the California Secretary of State.

Law-corporation bylaws

Bylaws drafted for the practice of law, with the required share restrictions and governance.

Share restrictions

Bylaws and stock documents prepared with law-corporation ownership restrictions in mind.

EIN & S-Corp election

Form SS-4 for your EIN; Form 2553 prepared when appropriate, with timing guidance.

25102(f) notice

California Limited Offering Exemption Notice prepared and filed for stock issuance.

Records package

Stock certificates with State Bar-required legend, organizational resolutions, minutes, records package, and post-formation memorandum.

State Bar registration: required but not included; complete directly with the State Bar. Name compliance: included with the LawInc formation package.

Law firm vs. filing service

Formed by attorneys who did it themselves

Generic filing services prepare documents. They are not law firms, and California legal advice is not included.

Issue LawInc Generic filing service
Status California law firm Document preparation service
California legal guidance California attorney-led guidance Legal advice not included
Law-corporation bylaws Drafted for the practice of law Template-based or varies
25102(f) securities notice Prepared and filed Often not included
Direct attorney access Available Varies by provider

This comparison is general. Service offerings vary by provider.

Pricing

Flat-fee formation

Choose the correct entity before you file. For California attorneys incorporating a law practice, a California law corporation is generally the proper incorporated structure.

LLC
$995

Not for a California law practice. For non-licensed businesses where an LLC is appropriate.

Not sure which entity? Talk to an attorney →

For attorneys
Law Corporation
$2,495

For California attorneys incorporating a law practice. State Bar registration is required but not included.

Start Law Corporation
Corporation
$1,495

Not for a California law practice. For standard California corporations where professional corporation rules do not apply.

Not sure which entity? Talk to an attorney →

Questions

Common questions

Why form a law corporation?For many California attorneys, a law corporation provides a clean corporate structure, limited liability for the business’s obligations, and eligibility to elect S-corporation tax treatment when appropriate. The right choice depends on your facts.
Can California attorneys use an LLC or ordinary business corporation?Generally, no. California attorneys generally cannot use an LLC to practice law, and an ordinary business corporation is generally not the right incorporated structure for a law practice. A California law corporation is the structure attorneys generally use to incorporate. The exact answer depends on your facts.
Do I have to register with the State Bar?Yes. California law corporations must register with the State Bar of California and meet its requirements. State Bar Law Corporation registration is required but not included in the LawInc formation package and must be completed directly with the State Bar.
What is the difference between a law corporation and an S-Corp?A law corporation is the legal entity. An S-Corp election is a federal tax election. A law corporation can often elect S-Corporation tax treatment when appropriate.
How long does formation take?California Secretary of State processing times vary, but many standard formations are completed in less than two weeks, depending on state processing and client responsiveness. State Bar registration is required but not included and runs on its own timeline.

Form it right from the beginning.

Start your California law corporation now, or request a short call first if you want entity guidance before you file.
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Attorney Advertising. This page is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is formed by visiting this page or submitting a contact request.