Long Island Startup Business Lawyer

Startup Business Attorney Serving Long Island, NY

Long Island is home to a large and active small business community spanning Nassau and Suffolk counties. Entrepreneurs in Garden City, Hempstead, Huntington, Babylon, Islip, and communities across the Island are launching retail businesses, professional practices, restaurants, construction companies, healthcare startups, and technology firms. The suburban market creates opportunities for businesses that serve local residential and commercial customers. If you are starting a business on Long Island, a startup lawyer can help you select the right entity, draft the documents you need, and complete the regulatory requirements for operating in New York.

Our firm assists Long Island entrepreneurs with LLC and corporation formation, operating agreements, the New York publication requirement for Nassau or Suffolk County, EIN registration, and state and local tax registration. We also draft co-founder and partnership agreements, review commercial leases, and advise on business licensing.

Our Manhattan office is accessible from Long Island via the LIRR to Penn Station or Atlantic Terminal. We represent startups and small businesses in Nassau County, Suffolk County, and the surrounding area. Schedule a free consultation to discuss your business formation needs.

Business Formation Services for Long Island Startups

LLC Formation and Registration

Long Island entrepreneurs in Nassau and Suffolk Counties form businesses across a wide range of industries, from construction and healthcare to retail and professional services, each with different structural needs. The limited liability company is the most common entity structure for Long Island 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 Nassau or Suffolk County Clerk. We handle every filing so your LLC is properly established from the start.

Corporation Formation

Long Island businesses that plan to grow through employee stock ownership, outside investment, or eventual sale should evaluate whether corporate structure better serves their long-term goals. If your Long Island 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

Long Island businesses with multiple owners need operating agreements tailored to their specific situation, whether they are family-owned businesses, professional partnerships, or investor-backed ventures. 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

Long Island LLCs publish in newspapers designated by either the Nassau or Suffolk County Clerk, depending on where the LLC's principal office is located, at costs typically lower than Manhattan. 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 Nassau and Suffolk counties, 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

Long Island businesses formed by multiple owners need partnership agreements that establish clear terms for ownership, management, profit sharing, and the eventual exit of any owner. Many Long Island 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

Long Island businesses entering into vendor agreements, client contracts, and commercial leases should have these documents reviewed by an attorney familiar with the specific considerations of suburban commercial transactions. Long Island 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 Long Island businesses, including office parks in Garden City and Melville, retail space in Huntington Village, and industrial locations in Suffolk County. 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 Long Island Entrepreneurs Should Know About Starting a Business

Long Island's business landscape differs from New York City's in several important ways. The suburban market means most businesses serve a local or regional customer base rather than a national or international audience. Commercial real estate operates differently, with strip malls, standalone retail buildings, and office parks dominating the landscape instead of high-rise commercial towers. Long Island's economy is driven by healthcare, education, retail, construction, professional services, and a growing technology sector, with defense and aerospace companies providing a foundation of employment in Suffolk County.

For Long Island LLCs, the publication requirement is handled through the county where the LLC is formed. Nassau and Suffolk each have their own designated newspapers and cost structures. Publication costs on Long Island are generally lower than in New York City boroughs, which makes Long Island an attractive formation location for entrepreneurs who do not need a New York City business address. Our attorneys handle the publication process for both Nassau and Suffolk County and advise on the most cost-effective approach.

Long Island businesses must comply with both New York State requirements and any applicable town or village regulations. Zoning is a common issue for Long Island startups, particularly home-based businesses that need to confirm their operations are permitted under local zoning codes. Our firm advises on entity formation, zoning considerations, licensing, and the other regulatory steps needed to launch a business on Long Island.

Why Long Island 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 Nassau and Suffolk counties
• Co-founder agreements, equity structuring, and partnership arrangements
• Accessible from Long Island via LIRR to Penn Station or Atlantic Terminal
• 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.