TKN Tyson
Practice focus: Startups, investment funds, formation, equity
Law firm for entrepreneurs. Represents startups, investment funds, closely-held companies.
- Fee structure
- Hourly / Flat
- Free consultation
- Initial $
Starting a Seattle business? The entity choice locks in for years.
Top 10 Business Formation Lawyers in Seattle
Washington is one of the most startup-friendly states in the country — Microsoft, Amazon, Boeing, and the Seattle tech ecosystem make it a magnet for venture-backed companies. The Washington Limited Liability Company Act and Washington Business Corporation Act are well-tested. The right lawyer maps your entity to your taxes, IP, and fundraising plans.
These 10 Seattle firms specialize in startups, LLCs, founders' agreements, and small-to-mid-cap business formation.
How we picked these 10: We reviewed published verdicts and settlements, peer rankings (Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Chambers and Partners, Avvo), client review patterns, and bar association recognition. Firms that appeared consistently across independent sources made the list. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
NorthStar Law Group
Practice focus: Business formation, startups
Specializes in business formation and startups across Seattle metro.
- Fee structure
- Flat / Hourly
- Free consultation
- Initial $
Foundry Law Group
Practice focus: Startups, growing companies, scaling
Entrepreneurial legal team for Seattle startups. Scale, protect, and transform.
- Fee structure
- Hourly / Flat
- Free consultation
- Initial $
Ballard Law Group, PLLC
Practice focus: Business formation, advocacy for small business
Free consultations. Strong relationship-based practice for small businesses and entrepreneurs.
- Fee structure
- Hourly / Flat
- Free consultation
- Free
Sunder Legal PLLC
Practice focus: Business formation, business law
Seattle business law boutique with strong client communication.
- Fee structure
- Flat / Hourly
- Free consultation
- Initial $
Stacey Romberg, Attorney
Practice focus: Starting a business, LLC, corporation
25+ years. Solo practice covering business formation across LLCs and corporations.
- Fee structure
- Hourly / Flat
- Free consultation
- Initial $
Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess
Practice focus: LLC formation, business law
Decades of services to small and large companies in Seattle/Tacoma.
- Fee structure
- Hourly
- Free consultation
- Initial $
Reed Long Year Law
Practice focus: Small business management
50+ years business law experience for Seattle small businesses.
- Fee structure
- Hourly
- Free consultation
- Initial $
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati (Seattle)
Practice focus: VC-backed startups, fundraising
Premier startup BigLaw firm with major Seattle bench for venture-backed companies.
- Fee structure
- Hourly
- Free consultation
- Initial $
Perkins Coie LLP (Emerging Companies)
Practice focus: Emerging companies, VC, technology
Seattle-headquartered AmLaw 100 firm with one of the strongest tech/startup practices in the West.
- Fee structure
- Hourly
- Free consultation
- Initial $
Not sure which firm is right for you?
Tell us about your situation and we'll match you with vetted business formation attorneys in Seattle. Free, confidential, no obligation.
Request Free Consultation →What to expect from a Seattle business formation
LLC: 2-3 weeks (Articles of Formation, EIN, operating agreement, banking, RA). S-corp: 4-6 weeks (incl. IRS election). Series A: 2-4 months.
What does a business formation lawyer in Seattle cost?
Single-member LLC: $750-$1,500 flat. Multi-member with operating agreement: $1,500-$4,000. Series A package: $15,000-$50,000.
Red flags to watch for when picking a business formation lawyer in Seattle
The legal directory you find on Google has thousands of Seattle business formation firms. Most are competent. A few are problematic. The patterns to avoid:
Guaranteed outcomes. No ethical attorney can guarantee a result. If a firm promises a specific recovery, dismissal, or visa approval, walk away.
The disappearing partner. You meet a senior partner at intake, then never speak to them again. The case is handled by an unsupervised junior or a paralegal. Ask in writing who will be your day-to-day attorney.
Pressure to sign immediately. Reputable firms give you the retainer in writing, time to read it, and the option to take it home. High-pressure intake is almost always a sign of a volume mill, not a craftsperson's practice.
No verifiable track record. The firm should be able to point to verdicts, settlements, peer rankings, or bar association recognition. "We've helped thousands of clients" is marketing copy. Specific numbers, named cases, and third-party rankings are evidence.
Vague fee terms. "Don't worry about cost" is a red flag. Every legitimate Seattle lawyer will give you a written engagement letter with the fee structure, what's covered, what triggers extra charges, and what happens if you fire them.
10 questions to ask in your free consultation
Most Seattle firms on this list offer a free initial consultation. Use it. Bring a list of questions and write down the answers. Compare across at least two firms before you sign.
- Who, specifically, will handle my case day-to-day? Get a name. Get an email.
- How many cases like mine have you handled in the last three years? You want a number, not a brochure line.
- What is your fee, and what does it cover? Get the answer in writing before you sign.
- What case expenses am I responsible for, and when? Out-of-pocket costs surprise people. Ask now.
- What is the realistic range of outcomes for a case like mine? A good lawyer will give you a range. A bad one will promise the high end.
- How long will it take? Honest estimate, with the assumptions stated.
- Who else might be involved? Experts? Co-counsel? Larger cases routinely involve outside experts. Know who's on the team.
- How and how often will I hear from you? Email-only? Calls? Monthly updates? Set the expectation now.
- What happens if I want to change lawyers later? Rules allow it; the fee is sorted between firms. Make sure you understand the mechanics.
- What's the worst-case outcome for my case? A lawyer who refuses to discuss downside risk is selling you something.
What's specific about a business formation case in Seattle
Seattle is its own market. The procedure, the courts, and the strategy are city- and state-specific in ways that matter to your outcome.
Local courthouses matter. King County Superior Court at the King County Courthouse and the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington have judges, calendars, and procedures that shape how cases move. A firm that knows the local courthouse has an advantage.
Filing deadlines are strict. Notice of Claim windows for cases against the City or County, Statute of Limitations periods, and pre-suit certification requirements vary by case type and are unforgiving. A missed deadline often means a lost case — full stop.
Local procedure rules matter. Each court has its own forms, motion practice, and judge preferences. The right Seattle firm will know not just the law, but the unwritten rules of the courthouse you'll be in.
Local plaintiffs/defendants do well in front of local juries. Verdict patterns vary by venue, and a trial-capable firm uses venue strategically.
Frequently asked questions
LLC, S-corp, or C-corp?
Most small businesses: LLC. Service businesses with profit: LLC + S election. VC-backed: Delaware C-corp.
Is Washington LLC enough or Delaware?
If you'll raise VC, Delaware. If operating only in WA, WA LLC fine.
Need an operating agreement?
Yes — even a single-member LLC. Defines decisions, distributions, exit.
Founders' agreement?
Critical for multi-founder. Vesting, IP assignment, equity split, termination.
Series A timing?
12-18 months out from your raise — talk to counsel early.
Related reading
One last thing. Choosing a lawyer is personal. Read the reviews. Call two or three firms before you sign. Ask each one: How many cases like mine have you taken to verdict in the last three years? The answer tells you everything. — The LawFirmSquare team