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

The requirements needed to practice Tennessee 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 corporation law in Tennessee requires a law degree. Practicing attorneys will generally require a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from a law school approved by the state of Tennessee.
2. An aspiring Tennessee corporate law attorney 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 Tennessee’s licensing authority and pay the required fees. The admittee then takes an oath to comply with the rules regarding the practice of law, including Tennessee corporate law, in the state.
   

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

Complete the formal education needed to learn about partnership law in Tennessee

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

I recommend: The University of Tennessee College of Law offers a J.D. program and a clinical program that is ranked in the top twenty for the nation. The University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law offers a J.D. degree and is accredited by the American Bar Association.

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

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

I recommend: The Tennessee Board of Law Examiners provides the complete instructions for applying to take the bar exam in Tennessee. Wetpaint.com provides some specific advice for passing the Tennessee bar exam.

Obtain the additional requirements needed to form limited partnerships in Tennessee

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

I recommend: The Tennessee Bar Association provides the complete rules for the state's Continuing Legal Education (CLE) requirements. The Tennessee Commission on Continuing Legal Education and Specialization provides the procedures for meeting the CLE requirements for attorneys in Tennessee.

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 Tennessee 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.

Incorporating in Tennessee is a necessary step to take your business to the next level. Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur or a business with less than 10 employees, Tennessee corporate law is there to protect your rights as a business owner.

Tennessee corporation and partnership law serves business owners by providing tax incentives and tax rebates for business expenditures and start up costs. Tennessee corporation law also protects the employer-employee relationship by helping business owners meet state standards.

Tennessee partnership law meets the needs of small businesses wanting to form partnerships between business owners. Tennessee partnership law protects the rights of individual partners within a business or firm. Incorporating in Tennessee will:

1. Provide tax benefits for your small business under Tennessee corporate law.

2. Offer certain protections only available to corporations.

3. Protect your investment through appropriate state licensing.

4. Establish your firm or business as a growing competitor in your field.

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

Hire an attorney specializing in Tennessee Corporate Law

Although this is the most expensive way to go when thinking about incorporation, there are advantages to having a professional do the work for you. Incorporating isn't difficult, but it's important to understand the terms and language of your incorporation.

I recommend: Burr and Forman LLP is an 103 year old firm in Nashville with an international reputation in the area of corporate laws. Bass, Barry and Sims of Nashville is a recognized leader in corporate law in Tennessee.

Visit the Tennessee state department to form a corporation in Tennessee

You don't need legal representation to start a corporation in Tennessee. The secretary of state's office provides documents and instructions on Tennessee corporation registration.

I recommend: Visit the Tennessee Department of State’s website for information on how to incorporate in Tennessee. Visit mycoporation.com for additional information about Tennessee corporation and partnership law.

Use a professional corporation company to incorporate in Tennessee

Corporation companies aren't attorneys, but they do specialize in handling the documents you need to follow Tennessee corporation law. Get up and running faster by using a company designed to help you understand Tennessee corporation law and Tennessee partnership law.

I recommend: Activefilings.com and Legalzoom.com are both online incorporation services with competitive prices for filing corporation documents in Tennessee.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Determine what type of corporation you need to be to get the best terms for the kind of business you have. Corporation law in Tennessee is corporation specific, so getting the right kind of incorporation to best meet your needs is essential.
• •  Incorporation is the best way to protect your name, assets and investment in the business you've built. Take time to do it right with help of an expert in the field. Gaps in your corporation documents may mean problems down the road, so taking time to file properly at the outset is the best way to prevent hidden business dangers.