Louisiana corporation and partnership law education and training will teach you how to create business entities such as a Louisiana incorporation or limited liability company (LLC). It is especially important for attorneys who specialize in corporation and partnership law to understand the tax implications for a Louisiana LLC and corporation.

The requirements needed to practice Louisiana corporate law are determined by the state and may depend on the specific type of corporation law you wish to practice. A legal education in corporate law has three general phases:

1. The practice of Louisiana incorporation laws requires a law degree. Practicing attorneys will generally require a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from a law school approved by the state of Louisiana.
2. An aspiring lawyer will need to pass a bar exam that is administered by the state. A background check will also be performed along with a character and fitness evaluation.
3. The lawyer must apply to Louisiana’s licensing authority and pay the required fees. The admittee then takes an oath to comply with the rules regarding the practice of law in Louisiana.
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Complete the formal education needed to learn Louisiana corporation law

There are a variety of universities in Louisiana that grant J.D. degrees recognized by the state of Louisiana. The required courses must be updated to keep up with changes in corporate law.

I recommend: Louisiana State University Law Center teaches both civil and common law, and is accredited by the American Bar Association. Loyola University in New Orleans offers a J.D. program and an LLM program for its international students.

Gain admission to the bar in order to form an LLC in Louisiana

As a Louisiana corporate lawyer, your clients will frequently wish to form corporations or partnerships with their businesses. Louisiana has specific bar exam requirements and also allows lawyers licensed in other states to practice law in Louisiana through reciprocity agreements.

I recommend: StudyFor.com describes the specific sections and scoring process for the Louisiana bar exam. Pass The Bar.com summarizes the bar exam in Louisiana.

Obtain the additional requirements needed to practice Louisiana limited partnership law

Get licensing information necessary for a career in Louisiana corporation law. An attorney in Louisiana must also meet that state's continuing education requirements in order to renew a license to practice law.

I recommend: The Louisiana Supreme Court Committee on Bar Admissions provides the complete rules for admission to Louisiana state bar. The Louisiana State Bar Association outlines the admissions process and also answers specific questions about getting admitted to the bar in Louisiana.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consider a Master of Laws (LLM) degree as a means of distinguishing yourself from other attorneys who practice Louisiana partnership law. An LLM is a postgraduate law degree that generally requires an additional year of study at a law school. Graduates from regional schools frequently obtain an LLM in order to compete with graduates from more highly ranked law schools. This is also an excellent opportunity to begin specializing in corporate law.

Louisiana corporation and partnership law basic knowledge is essential if you are thinking of incorporating in Louisiana. The structure of your corporation will be instrumental in the success of your business. It will affect your tax treatment, filing requirements, funding potential and liability obligations.

The ownership plans for your business will help determine how to incorporate in Louisiana. A traditional corporation is useful to raise money with investors. Louisiana corporate law requires complex ongoing paperwork, and will tax your business income on corporate and shareholder levels.

Registration of an LLC in Louisiana is less complicated. Taxation occurs only on one level, the structure is simple and it requires only two people to incorporate. Under Louisiana partnership law, a partnership is appropriate for business ventures that have a limited time frame or a small number of people involved. Taxation benefits are similar to a Louisiana LLC, in that there is no double taxation. The drawbacks include increased exposure to liability for the actions of the partnership.

The options available under Louisiana corporate law are:

1. A profit corporation.

2. A Louisiana limited liability company (LLC).

3. A partnership or limited liability partnership (LLP).

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Choose what works under Louisiana corporate law

Do you want to form a corporation or partnership? The decision depends on your long-term goals for the business. Ownership is easier to divide in a corporation, while partnerships are not well-suited for growth or sale and do not offer stocks. Taxation is different for both types of entities. And, finally, Louisiana corporation registration, including Louisiana partnership law, requires varying filing of paperwork and fees.

I recommend: FindLaw will guide you through picking the entity structure that works for you. If you need further advice, look for a site such as lawyers.com to find a Louisiana attorney.

Make your corporation in Louisiana a reality

Begin by choosing a business entity name that satisfies Louisiana corporation law. Louisiana corporate law requires filing certain forms as well as submitting fees. The filing may include articles of incorporation, or, for Louisiana LLC registration, articles of organization. Fees will vary depending on the structure.

I recommend: Conduct a records search through the Secretary of the State's corporation database to find a business name that has not already been incorporated. Find the appropriate business entity form at the Secretary of the State's Filing Forms for Corporations page, including Louisiana LLC forms, to file with the Secretary of the State's Corporation Division. Confirm the fee required by checking the Secretary of the State's Corporation Division's fee schedule. Prior to submitting your forms, review them forms against this checklist prepared by the Corporation Division. You may have your filing processed while you wait for an expedited filing fee if you file in person at the Secretary of the State's office.

Know the details of Louisiana corporation and partnership law

You must abide by all Louisiana rules and regulations whether you file for a corporation in Louisiana or LLC in Louisiana, so review the related statutes carefully.

I recommend: Review Title 12 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes found at Justia.com to understand your obligations when incorporating in Louisiana. Use a reputable incorporation service such as LegalZoom.com to complete your Louisiana incorporation for you, to ensure compliance with laws.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Remember that once you have filed under Louisiana incorporation laws, your job is not done. Louisiana corporation law requires annual filings and fees to keep your business in good standing.