Small Business Resources Center

THE BASICS

• Is Entrepreneurship for You?
• Questionnaire: Getting Started
• Starting a Business: Legal FAQ
• Do's and Don’ts: Starting a Business
• Getting Legal Help with Starting a Business

Business Names

• Glossary: Starting a Business
• Naming Your Business: An Introduction
• Chronology: Choosing a Business Name
• Understanding Business Name Terminology
• Do's and Don’ts: Business Names

Start-Up Financing

• Business Financing Basics
• Sources of Small Business Financing
• The Venture Capital Basics
• Estimate Your Startup Costs

Licenses & Permits

• Checklist: Licenses and Permits for New Businesses

Buying an Existing Business

• What to Expect: A Chronology for Buying a Business
• Buying a Business: Due Diligence Checklist

Location & Commercial Real Estate

• Should You Lease or Purchase Your Space?
• Reasons to Consult an Attorney Before Choosing Business Location
• Types of Commercial Leases
• Choosing a Business Location: Checklist
• Choosing a Facility: Checklist

Business Plans

• Business Plan Basics
• Business Plan Outline
• Contents of a Written Business Plan

Choosing a Business Type

• 10 Things to Think About: Choosing a Business Form
• Do's and Don'ts: Choosing a Business Form
• Pros and Cons: Business Types and Tax Implications
• Getting Legal Help with Business Formation
• 10 Reasons to Contact an Attorney Before Choosing a Business Form

Sole Proprietorships

• Checklist: Starting a Sole Proprietorship
• What Tax Forms Do Sole Proprietors Need?

Partnerships

• Types of Partnerships
• Checklist: Starting a Partnership
• Contents of a Written Business Plan

LLCs

• Checklist: Starting an LLC
• Writing and Filing the Articles of Organization

Corporations

• Why Form a Corporation: Pros and Cons
• The Corporate Structure: Directors to Shareholders
• Checklist: Starting a Corporation
• Deciding Where to Incorporate
• Writing and Filing the Articles of Incorporation
• Writing Corporate By-Laws

Non-Profit Corporations

• Becoming a Tax-Exempt Organization
• Checklist: Starting a Non-Profit Corporation

Employment Law Basics

• Employment Law 101
• Employment Laws and Anti-Discrimination Laws
• Employment Law Glossary

Interviews and Hiring

• Writing Effective Job Descriptions
• The Interview: Selecting the 'Right' Person
• Drug Testing During Hiring: The Facts

Employment Contracts

• 10 Things to Think About: Employment Contracts

Independent Contractors

• Hiring Independent Contractors

Employee Privacy and Communications

• Key Employee Privacy Issues
• Workplace Internet and Email: Do's and Don'ts
• Lie Detector Tests

Wages and Benefits

• Employee Wage and Benefits Basics
• Employee Health Insurance Basics
• Offering Employee Benefits: Pros and Cons
• Choosing the Right Health Plan for Your Employees
• Dictionary: Employee Benefits
• Types of Retirement Plans
• 401(k) Plan Fees for Employers
• Pension Plans and ERISA FAQs
• Garnishment of Wages

Discrimination and Harassment

• Employment Discrimination Basics
• Avoid Discrimination and Harassment: Creating a 'Friendly' Workplace
• Sexual Harassment: What is It?
• Dictionary: Employment Discrimination and Harassment

Accounting

• The Importance of Cash Management
• Financial Statements: The Balance Sheet
• Accepting Cash and Checks

Extending Credit and Collecting Debts

• Extending Credit to Customers - Basics
• Deciding to Extend Credit: 10 Things to Think About
• Credit Policies: Do's and Don'ts
• Debt Collection Basics
• Creditors' Rights and Collection Options
• Checklist: Collection of Accounts
• Sample Debt Collection Letters

Closing a Business

• Closing Your Business: A Chronology
• Post-Dissolution Lawsuits: 10 Things to Think About

Business Taxes

• Basic Tax Information for Businesses
• Audits and Businesses: 10 Things to Think About
• Tax Implications for Different Types of Businesses
• Penalties for Violating Employment Tax Rules
• 10 Reasons to See a Tax Attorney

Financial Struggles

• Managing a Business in Financial Distress: 10 Things to Think About

Business Bankruptcy

• Business Bankruptcy: 10 Things to Think About Before You File
• Business Bankruptcy Do's and Don'ts
• Filing for Bankruptcy: What to Expect

Business Insurance

• Why You Need Business Insurance
• Different Types of Commercial Insurance
• Business Insurance Do's and Don'ts
• 10 Things to Think About: Saving Money on Business Insurance
• Checklist: Making an Insurance Claims

Liability for Injuries

• Slip and Fall Liability for Small Business Owners
• Protecting Your Business from Product Liability Claims

Minimizing Risk and Loss

• Checklist: Minimize Business Risks and Losses

How a Lawyer Can Help

• How a Lawyer Can Help Your Business

Advertising

• Advertising Considerations for Your Business
• Fair Advertising FAQ: A Guide for Small Business

Marketing

• Marketing Basics
• Your Marketing Plan
• Competitive Analysis

Your Business Online

• Should a Small Business Get on the Web?
• Checklist: Establishing a Website
• Checklist: Choosing a Domain Name
• Getting Your E-Commerce Site Online: 10 Reasons for Talking to an Attorney First