Manhattan Startup Business Lawyer

Startup Business Attorney Serving Manhattan, NY

Manhattan is the center of business formation in New York City. Entrepreneurs across Midtown, the Financial District, SoHo, Chelsea, the Flatiron District, Harlem, and the Lower East Side are launching companies in technology, finance, professional services, hospitality, media, and healthcare. The borough attracts founders from around the world who want to build their business in one of the most competitive and visible commercial markets on the planet. If you are starting a business in Manhattan, a startup lawyer can help you select the right entity structure, prepare your governing documents, and handle the regulatory requirements of operating in New York.

Our firm assists Manhattan entrepreneurs with LLC and corporation filings, operating agreements and shareholder agreements, the New York publication requirement, EIN registration, and state and local tax registration. We also review commercial leases, draft co-founder and partnership agreements, and advise on business contracts, licensing, and compliance.

Our office is located at 30 Broad Street in the Financial District, making it convenient for Manhattan-based clients. We represent startups and small businesses throughout New York County. Schedule a free consultation to discuss your business formation needs.

Business Formation Services for Manhattan Startups

LLC Formation and Registration

Manhattan startups in technology, financial services, media, and professional services often have complex ownership structures that require careful entity selection between LLC, C-corp, and S-corp formats. The limited liability company is the most common entity structure for Manhattan 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 New York County Clerk. We handle every filing so your LLC is properly established from the start.

Corporation Formation

Manhattan tech startups seeking venture capital typically form Delaware C-corporations, while professional services firms and other businesses may benefit from S-corp election for tax purposes. If your Manhattan 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

Manhattan startups with multiple founders and investors need operating agreements that address equity splits, vesting schedules, management authority, intellectual property ownership, and dilution provisions. 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

Manhattan LLCs publish in newspapers designated by the New York County Clerk. Publication costs in Manhattan have historically been among the most expensive in the state. 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 New York 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

Manhattan startup founder agreements must address the complex dynamics of early-stage companies, including intellectual property assignments, non-compete provisions, vesting schedules, and acceleration triggers. Many Manhattan 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

Manhattan startups face particularly complex contracting environments, from commercial leases with aggressive escalation clauses to vendor agreements with unfavorable intellectual property provisions. Manhattan 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 Manhattan businesses, including office space in Midtown and the Financial District, retail locations in SoHo, and restaurant space in Chelsea and the West Village. 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 Manhattan Entrepreneurs Should Know About Starting a Business

Manhattan's startup ecosystem spans multiple industries and neighborhoods. The Flatiron District and Union Square have long been hubs for technology startups. SoHo and the Lower East Side attract fashion, retail, and direct-to-consumer brands. Chelsea and Hudson Yards draw media, advertising, and creative firms. Midtown remains the center for financial services, consulting, and professional services companies. Harlem and Washington Heights are seeing new waves of entrepreneurship in food service, wellness, and community-focused businesses.

New York County has the highest LLC publication costs in the city. The county clerk designates two newspapers, and the combined cost of six weeks of publication notices can be substantial. For this reason, some Manhattan entrepreneurs choose to form their LLC in a county with lower publication costs, such as the Bronx or Albany, and then register to do business in New York County. This is a legitimate strategy, but it has implications for your business address, tax filings, and how your LLC appears in state records. Our attorneys advise on whether this approach makes sense for your business.

Manhattan businesses must also navigate city-specific licensing requirements, commercial lease negotiations that tend to involve more complex terms than other boroughs, and competitive commercial real estate markets where landlords often require strong personal guarantees. Our firm helps Manhattan startups handle entity formation, lease review, and regulatory compliance as a coordinated process.

Why Manhattan 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, including cost-saving strategies for New York County
• Co-founder agreements, equity structuring, and partnership arrangements
• Located in the Financial District at 30 Broad Street for convenient Manhattan access
• 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.