Oregon corporation and partnership law education and training will teach you how to create business entities such as a Oregon 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 Oregon LLC and corporation.

The requirements needed to practice Oregon 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 Oregon LLC law requires a law degree. Practicing attorneys will generally require a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from a law school approved by the state of Oregon.
2. An aspiring lawyer who wants to practice Oregon partnership law 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 Oregon’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 Oregon.
   

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

Complete the formal education needed to learn about Oregon corporation law

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

I recommend: The University of Oregon School of Law offers various academic programs that include the J.D. degree, concurrent degrees and certificates of completion. Lewis & Clark Law School offers a J.D. degree through day and evening programs.

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

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

I recommend: Kaplan PMBR provides an overview of the format for the Oregon bar exam. Barbri Bar Review offers an online bar review course and also offers a summary of facts on the bar exam in Oregon.

Obtain the additional requirements needed to practice state of Oregon corporation laws

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

I recommend: The Oregon State Bar provides the complete process of getting admitted to the state bar in Oregon. The Oregon Department of Licenses, Permits and Registrations summarizes the licensing requirements for admission to the Oregon state bar.

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 Oregon 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.

To start a business in Oregon, you must understand the basics of Oregon corporation law. The structure of your Oregon corporation will be instrumental in its success. It will affect your tax treatment, filing requirements, funding potential and liability obligations.

Ownership plans will help determine how to incorporate in Oregon. A traditional corporation is useful to raise money with investors or to allow ownership to employees in the form of shares. However, Oregon corporate law requires complex, ongoing paperwork and will tax your business income on corporate and shareholder levels.

Registration under Oregon LLC laws, on the other hand, are less complicated. Taxation occurs only on one level, which may be an important benefit to your company. The structure is more simple and requires only two people to incorporate. Under Oregon 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 an Oregon LLC, in that there is no double taxation. The drawbacks include increased exposure to liability for the actions of the partnership.

1. A domestic corporation (C-corp or S-corp).

2. A limited liability corporation (Oregon LLC).

3. A limited partnership or limited liability partnership.

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

Choose what works under Oregon corporate law

The decision on whether you set up a corporation or partnership 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, Oregon corporation registration, including Oregon partnership law, requires varying filing of paperwork and fees.

I recommend: FindLaw will guide you through selecting the entity structure that works for you, whether you choose a corporation or LLC in Oregon. Oregon corporation formation can be tricky, so seek the advice of an Oregon attorney with questions. You can find a list of them on the lawyers.com website.

Make your Oregon corporation formation a reality

Oregon corporate law requires filing certain forms, as well as submitting fees. The filing may include articles of incorporation, or, for an LLC in Oregon, articles of organization. Fees will vary depending on the structure. Many forms can be filed electronically through the Secretary of the State's website.

I recommend: Find the appropriate business entity form at Oregon Secretary of the State's Corporations Division. Confirm the fee required by checking the business registration fee page. File online, or chose a reputable online company such as LegalZoom to file for you.

Know the details of Oregon corporate law

You are expected to understand all related laws and obligations when incorporating in Oregon, so review the related laws and rules carefully.

I recommend: Review the Oregon revised statutes carefully to understand your obligations. Consult the Oregon Business Guide for further assistance.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Conduct an Oregon corporation search before committing to your business name. Oregon incorporation laws do not allow 2 businesses to incorporate under the same name in Oregon.
• •  The Oregon government considers you to be 'doing business in Oregon,' and therefore requires you to register with the Secretary of the State, if you stock goods or maintain an office within the state.