Brooklyn Startup Business Lawyer

Startup Business Attorney Serving Brooklyn, NY

Brooklyn is one of the most active markets for new business formation in the country. Entrepreneurs across the borough are launching companies in technology, food and beverage, retail, professional services, creative industries, and healthcare. From Williamsburg and DUMBO to Park Slope, Flatbush, and Downtown Brooklyn, the borough's commercial corridors and co-working spaces are filled with founders building their next venture. If you are starting a business in Brooklyn, a startup lawyer can help you form your entity correctly, draft the agreements you need, and handle the regulatory steps required to operate legally in New York.

Our firm works with Brooklyn entrepreneurs at every stage of business formation. We handle LLC and corporation filings, prepare operating agreements and shareholder agreements, complete the New York publication requirement, obtain EINs, register your business with state and local tax authorities, and advise on the contracts and licenses you need before you open your doors. We also review commercial leases, draft partnership agreements, and help founders structure equity arrangements with co-founders and early employees.

Our Lower Manhattan office is accessible from Brooklyn via the 2, 3, 4, 5, A, C, F, or R trains. We represent startups and small businesses throughout Kings County. Schedule a free consultation to discuss your business formation needs.

Business Formation Services for Brooklyn Startups

LLC Formation and Registration

Brooklyn entrepreneurs launching businesses in tech, creative, food, and professional services sectors choose between LLC and corporation structures based on their industry, number of owners, and growth trajectory. The limited liability company is the most common entity structure for Brooklyn startups and small businesses. An LLC provides personal liability protection for its owners while offering flexibility in how the business is managed and taxed. Our attorneys prepare and file your Articles of Organization with the New York Department of State, obtain your Employer Identification Number from the IRS, register your LLC with the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, and file a business certificate with the Kings County Clerk. We handle every filing so your LLC is properly established from the start.

Corporation Formation

Brooklyn businesses that plan to raise outside investment, issue stock options to employees, or eventually pursue acquisition often benefit from corporation structure over an LLC. If your Brooklyn startup plans to seek venture capital, issue stock options to employees, or operate with a formal board of directors, a corporation may be the better structure. We file your Certificate of Incorporation, prepare initial bylaws and organizational resolutions, and advise on whether an S-Corp or C-Corp election best fits your tax and growth strategy. For founders who want the liability protection of a corporation with pass-through taxation, an S-Corp election can offer significant advantages depending on your revenue and compensation structure.

Operating Agreements and Shareholder Agreements

Brooklyn businesses with multiple owners need operating agreements that address the specific dynamics of their partnership, including capital contributions, profit sharing, management authority, and exit provisions tailored to their industry. An operating agreement is the foundational document for any LLC with more than one member. It governs ownership percentages, capital contributions, profit distribution, management authority, voting rights, transfer restrictions, and what happens if a member wants to leave or the business needs to dissolve. Without one, your LLC defaults to the provisions of the New York Limited Liability Company Law, which may not reflect your intentions. For corporations, we draft shareholder agreements that address similar governance and equity issues. Our attorneys draft these documents to reflect the actual deal between the founders and to prevent disputes down the road.

New York LLC Publication Requirement

Brooklyn LLCs must complete the New York publication requirement in newspapers approved by the Kings County Clerk, publishing formation notices for six consecutive weeks in two designated newspapers. New York is one of a few states that requires newly formed LLCs to publish a notice of formation in two newspapers for six consecutive weeks. In Kings County, the county clerk designates which newspapers qualify. After publication is complete, you must file a Certificate of Publication with the Department of State. Failure to complete this step within 120 days can result in the suspension of your LLC's authority to do business. Our firm handles the entire publication process, from ordering the notices to filing the certificate, so you stay in compliance without having to manage the logistics yourself.

Partnership Agreements and Co-Founder Arrangements

Brooklyn startups with co-founders in the creative and tech sectors need agreements that address equity allocation, vesting, intellectual property assignment, and roles before the business gains traction. Many Brooklyn startups begin with two or more co-founders who contribute different skills, capital, or intellectual property to the venture. A clear partnership or co-founder agreement is essential to define each person's role, compensation, equity stake, and responsibilities. These agreements should also address vesting schedules, non-compete provisions, intellectual property assignment, and exit procedures. Our attorneys draft co-founder agreements that protect all parties and provide a framework for resolving disagreements before they escalate.

Business Contracts and Commercial Lease Review

Brooklyn startups signing their first vendor agreements, client contracts, and commercial leases need legal review to avoid terms that can become burdensome as the business grows. Brooklyn startups frequently need contracts with vendors, service providers, independent contractors, and landlords. Our firm drafts and reviews service agreements, independent contractor agreements, non-disclosure agreements, and terms of service. We also review commercial leases for Brooklyn businesses, including office space in Downtown Brooklyn and DUMBO, retail locations on Atlantic Avenue or Fifth Avenue in Park Slope, and industrial or studio space in Bushwick, Gowanus, and the Navy Yard. Having a lawyer review your lease before you sign it can prevent costly problems with rent escalation, personal guaranty clauses, and restrictive use provisions.

What Brooklyn Entrepreneurs Should Know About Starting a Business

Brooklyn's startup ecosystem is concentrated in several distinct corridors. Downtown Brooklyn and the surrounding Tech Triangle (including DUMBO and the Navy Yard) attract technology companies and creative firms. Williamsburg and Bushwick have become hubs for food and beverage brands, e-commerce businesses, and media companies. Park Slope and Carroll Gardens support a mix of professional services, wellness businesses, and boutique retail. Each neighborhood has its own commercial character, lease market, and customer base, which affects the type of entity and contracts a new business needs.

One issue that surprises many Brooklyn entrepreneurs is the cost and complexity of the New York LLC publication requirement. Kings County publication costs are among the highest in the state because the designated newspapers charge significant rates for six weeks of notices. Some founders choose to form their LLC in a county with lower publication costs and then register to do business in Kings County as a foreign LLC. This strategy has legal and practical implications that you should discuss with an attorney before proceeding.

Brooklyn businesses also need to be aware of local licensing and permit requirements. Depending on your industry, you may need a general business license from the City of New York, a food service establishment permit from the Department of Health, a sales tax certificate of authority, or industry-specific licenses. Businesses that hire employees must register for workers' compensation insurance, disability insurance, and unemployment insurance. Our firm advises Brooklyn startups on the full range of regulatory requirements so you can launch with confidence that you are operating legally.

Why Brooklyn Clients Choose Agarunov Law Firm

Agarunov Law Firm works with startups, entrepreneurs, and small business owners from our Lower Manhattan office. We provide practical legal guidance without the overhead and complexity of a large firm.

• LLC and corporation formation, including Articles of Organization, bylaws, and operating agreements
• Full handling of the New York LLC publication requirement for Kings County
• Co-founder agreements, equity structuring, and partnership arrangements
• Accessible from Brooklyn via multiple subway lines to our Financial District office
• Licensed in both New York and New Jersey for businesses operating across state lines

How Our Startup Formation Process Works

• Step 1: Consultation. We discuss your business concept, ownership structure, and goals. We advise on the best entity type for your situation. This consultation is free.
• Step 2: Entity Formation. We prepare and file your Articles of Organization or Certificate of Incorporation with the New York Department of State, obtain your EIN, and complete state and local tax registrations.
• Step 3: Governing Documents. We draft your operating agreement, bylaws, or partnership agreement to reflect the actual terms between the founders and protect everyone's interests.
• Step 4: Publication and Compliance. For LLCs, we handle the New York publication requirement from start to finish. We also advise on business licenses, permits, and insurance requirements for your specific industry.
• Step 5: Contracts and Launch. We review or draft the contracts you need to begin operations, including commercial leases, vendor agreements, independent contractor agreements, and client service agreements.