You are starting a business in Memphis and want to set it up the right way: pick the entity, file with the state, split ownership cleanly, and keep your personal assets protected. Tennessee has its own quirks, the per-member filing fee and the $300 annual report, that catch new owners off guard. Below are vetted Memphis firms that handle LLC and business formation, operating agreements, and the early-stage legal work that saves you trouble later.
Updated February 24, 2026
Forming a business is two jobs. The first is filing: in Tennessee you create an LLC by filing Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State, and the fee is $50 per member with a $300 minimum and a $3,000 cap. You can do that yourself online. The second job is the part that protects you, choosing the right entity, writing an operating agreement among the owners, and setting up the company so your personal house and savings stay separate from business debts. That second job is where a Memphis business lawyer earns the fee.
A good formation lawyer does more than file paperwork. They help you decide between an LLC, an S-corp, and a C-corp based on how you plan to make money and pay yourself, draft an operating agreement that spells out ownership and what happens if a partner leaves, register you for Tennessee's franchise and excise tax, and flag licenses you need before you open. If you have a co-founder, the operating agreement is the single most important document you will sign.
Talk to a Memphis business formation lawyer if any of the following fits your situation.
Step 1 is choosing a name and confirming it is available with the Secretary of State. Step 2: filing the Articles of Organization and naming a registered agent with a Tennessee address. Online filings usually process within a few business days. Step 3, the one people skip, is the operating agreement among the owners. Step 4 is getting an EIN from the IRS, opening a business bank account, and registering for Tennessee's franchise and excise tax. After that, you file an annual report with the state every year, with a $300 minimum fee, and pay the F&E tax. A lawyer can do the whole setup as a flat-fee package, and for a multi-owner business the operating agreement is worth doing carefully.
Most Memphis business lawyers bill $250 to $450 an hour, but formation is usually sold as a flat fee. A simple single-owner LLC setup with a basic operating agreement often runs $750 to $1,200; a multi-owner company with a custom operating agreement, ownership splits, and tax planning runs $1,500 to $2,000 or more. On top of legal fees you pay the state's filing fee, $50 per member with a $300 minimum, and every year after, the $300-minimum annual report plus the franchise and excise tax. Ask for the flat fee in writing and confirm whether it includes the operating agreement and the EIN.
Updated February 24, 2026. Verified across Super Lawyers, Justia, Expertise, and firm records. We do not accept payment for placement. Where a firm's aggregate client rating is not yet compiled, we say so rather than invent one.
A Memphis firm founded by Olen Bailey Jr. in 1996 that represents business owners in entity formation for corporations, LLCs, and limited partnerships, backed by more than 30 years of legal experience. A strong fit for owners who want a seasoned hand on setup and structure.
A Memphis firm offering LLC formation and broader business-law services, guiding owners through setting up limited liability companies and choosing the right structure. A fit for entrepreneurs who want formation handled alongside estate and succession planning.
A Memphis business-formation practice whose attorneys explain the entity options, help determine which type best fits the business, and walk owners through the formation process. A practical fit for a first-time owner who wants the choices in plain English before filing.
A Memphis firm that handles business purchases, employment agreements, and the formation of LLCs and corporations, and also litigates business disputes when they arise. A fit for owners who want one firm for setup and for any deal or dispute that follows.
A Memphis firm that aids in the formation, acquisition, modification, sale, and dissolution of business entities. A solid choice for owners who want help not just starting an LLC but managing it through later changes. Ratings not yet aggregated here; check Justia and Super Lawyers for current reviews.
Tell us briefly what you are building. We route a confidential request to a best-fit Memphis firm in this directory. No obligation, and most offer a free first consultation.