Seattle · WA · Vetted Directory

LLC Formation Lawyers in Seattle

Starting a Washington LLC in Seattle? The 8 firms below handle formation, operating agreements, member buy-ins, S-Corp election, and the deal-document stack that follows when you raise money or hire your first employee. Several specialize in tech startups and emerging companies; others fit traditional small businesses and professional practices.

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When a Seattle business needs a llc formation lawyer

Washington made its own LLC choices that founders should know up front. Washington adopted a unique Limited Liability Company Act (Chapter 25.15 RCW) — not the Uniform Act — so the default rules around fiduciary duties, member voting, and dissociation differ from Delaware. Washington also has a Business & Occupation (B&O) tax that taxes gross receipts (not net profit), which affects entity choice. And the state has no personal income tax but does have a capital-gains tax above the threshold. Most Seattle startups planning to raise venture capital still incorporate in Delaware and register to do business in Washington; bootstrap businesses, professional practices, and real-estate ventures usually form directly in Washington.

Who typically calls a Seattle LLC formation lawyer

A founder going solo and choosing between LLC and S-Corp. Two co-founders papering ownership, vesting, and decision-making before launch. A real-estate investor forming a series of single-asset LLCs. A consulting practice spinning out from a larger firm. A medical, dental, or professional-services group forming a Professional LLC (PLLC). A pre-seed startup deciding whether to flip to a Delaware C-Corp before fundraising. A spouse-pair or family business setting up community-property considerations.

Delaware C-Corp vs Washington LLC

If you plan to raise institutional venture capital within 12–18 months, almost every Seattle startup lawyer will recommend a Delaware C-Corp. VC term sheets assume Delaware corporate law; preferred stock, board governance, and 83(b) elections all work cleanly there. If you're bootstrapping, building a profitable services business, or running a real-estate holding company, a Washington LLC is usually cheaper, more flexible, and tax-efficient. The firms below will tell you straight which fits your situation; flipping later is doable but costs $5K–$25K.

Firms in Seattle that handle llc formation

1

TKN Tyson

📍 Seattle, WAFounded 2008Boutique startup firm

Practice focus: LLC formation, operating agreements, equity, contracts, M&A. Seattle boutique focused on emerging companies, startups, and small business. Flat-fee formation packages and ongoing GC services.

Flat $1,500–$3,500 formationStartup-friendly
2

NorthStar Law Group

📍 Seattle, WAFounded 2014Boutique business firm

Practice focus: LLC formation, contracts, employment, M&A advisory. Seattle business-law boutique serving small and middle-market companies; flat-fee and subscription models common.

Flat / hourlyGC subscriptions
3

Foundry Law Group

📍 Seattle, WAFounded 2013Boutique startup firm

Practice focus: LLC formation, Delaware C-Corp, founder agreements, fundraising. Seattle startup law firm. Common pick for pre-seed and seed-stage technology companies. Flat-fee formation packages.

Flat $1,800–$3,500Startups + fundraising
4

Ballard Law Group, PLLC

📍 Seattle, WAFounded 2003Boutique business firm

Practice focus: LLC formation, corporate governance, business transactions, real estate. Seattle small-business and real-estate firm. Strong on multi-member operating agreements and asset-protection planning.

Flat $1,200–$2,500Small business + real estate
5

Sunder Legal PLLC

📍 Seattle, WAFounded 2018Boutique firm

Practice focus: LLC formation, contracts, intellectual property, technology. Seattle boutique serving startups, creators, and technology businesses. Flat fees on common formation engagements.

Flat $1,500–$3,000Tech + creators
6

Stacey Romberg, Attorney

📍 Seattle, WAFounded 1998Solo practitioner

Practice focus: Business formation, operating agreements, succession planning, contracts. Long-established Seattle solo focused on small-business formation, governance, and succession.

Flat / hourlySolo / small biz
7

Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess

📍 Seattle, WAFounded 1992Mid-sized regional

Practice focus: Business formation, real estate, litigation, employment. Pacific Northwest mid-sized firm handling LLC formation alongside real estate, employment, and litigation.

Hourly $300–$525Full-service mid-market
8

Reed Long Year Law

📍 Seattle, WAFounded 2007Boutique firm

Practice focus: Business formation, real estate, estate planning. Seattle boutique handling LLC formation paired with real-estate and trust-and-estate work for closely held businesses.

Flat / hourlyClosely held businesses

What this typically costs in Seattle

Ranges from real Seattle firms, current to 2026. Government fees billed separately and pass through at cost.

Single-member LLC (simple)
$800 – $1,800

Includes name search, Washington Secretary of State filing, operating agreement, EIN, and Initial Report. State filing fee $200 separate.

Multi-member LLC
$1,500 – $3,500

Adds custom operating agreement with capital, distribution, voting, transfer, and dissolution provisions.

PLLC (professional LLC)
$1,200 – $2,500

Required for licensed professionals (doctors, lawyers, architects). Adds board/licensing-compliance review.

Delaware C-Corp + WA registration
$2,500 – $6,500

For VC-track startups. Delaware filing, registered agent, bylaws, founder stock with 83(b) election, WA foreign registration.

Operating agreement amendment
$500 – $2,000

For new members, buy-sell, or capital changes after formation.

Series LLC (real estate)
$2,000 – $4,500

For real-estate investors holding multiple properties. Note: Washington doesn't have a true Series LLC statute; structure usually requires alternatives.

WA Secretary of State filing fee
$200

State filing fee for LLC Certificate of Formation. $180 for Initial Report (due within 120 days).

Annual renewal fee
$60

Annual report fee to WA Secretary of State.

Typical turnaround in Seattle

From the day you sign an engagement letter to the day you have something in hand, here is what the calendar usually looks like in Seattle.

  1. Day 1Conflict check, engagement letter, intake call. Entity-choice decision (LLC vs PLLC vs C-Corp) confirmed.
  2. Days 2–5Name availability search. Articles of Organization filed online with WA Secretary of State.
  3. Days 5–10Operating agreement drafted, reviewed, and signed by members.
  4. Days 5–14EIN obtained from IRS. Bank account opened. S-Corp election (Form 2553) filed if appropriate.
  5. Days 14–30Initial Report filed with WA Secretary of State (due within 120 days of formation). City of Seattle business license. WA Business License Application.
  6. OngoingAnnual Report and renewal due each year. Quarterly B&O tax filings if active in Washington.

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LLC Formation in Seattle — FAQ

How much does it cost to form an LLC in Seattle?
Attorney fees run $800–$1,800 for a simple single-member LLC; $1,500–$3,500 for multi-member with custom operating agreement. State filing is $200, plus $180 Initial Report. Most Seattle firms offer flat-fee formation packages so you can budget up front.
Should I form in Delaware or Washington?
If you plan to raise institutional venture capital, almost every Seattle startup lawyer will recommend Delaware C-Corp from day one. If you're bootstrapping, building a services business, or holding real estate, Washington LLC is usually cheaper and simpler. Flipping from WA LLC to DE C-Corp later costs $5K–$25K.
What is Washington's B&O tax?
Business & Occupation tax is a gross-receipts tax (not net profit) charged by the State of Washington on most business activities. Rates vary by activity classification — retail 0.471%, services 1.5%, manufacturing 0.484%. It applies whether you make money or not. Plan for it in pricing.
Do I need a PLLC instead of an LLC?
Licensed professionals — doctors, lawyers, architects, accountants — must form a PLLC, not a standard LLC, under Washington law. The protections and tax treatment are similar but the licensing board has to approve formation.
Can I form an LLC by myself online?
Yes — Washington's Secretary of State online filing is straightforward and the state form will generate Articles of Organization. But the operating agreement (which the state doesn't require but the IRS, banks, and partners will expect) is where the real protection lives. A bad operating agreement is worse than no operating agreement.
What's the difference between an LLC and an S-Corp in Washington?
An LLC is an entity type; an S-Corp is a tax election. A Washington LLC can elect S-Corp tax treatment (Form 2553) to reduce self-employment taxes once you're earning over ~$60K. Most Seattle startup lawyers recommend forming as an LLC and electing S-Corp once profitable.
Does Washington have a Series LLC?
Not formally — Washington has not adopted the Uniform Series LLC Act. Real-estate investors who want segregated liability across multiple properties typically form separate LLCs for each property or use parent-subsidiary structures.

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