When it comes to business licenses, a lawyer is key. A provider law firm well versed in small business can review your applications before you file and advise you on expired licenses and denials - without the usual hourly legal fees.
Most businesses need licenses and permits to operate. From municipal general business licenses to state sales tax permits, from federal licenses to online business permits, each category has its own set of rules and fees.
Getting this wrong costs money. You could be fined or even shut down.
Traditionally, lawyers who work with small businesses charge by the hour, but LegalShield® Small Business Plans give members access to a law firm for consultation on an unlimited number of business legal matters, even on questions you had before you joined, starting at $59.95/month. Know which licenses apply, get your applications reviewed before you file, and get answers to your business legal questions.
Your provider law firm can advise you on the basic license your city / county requires.
State-issued licenses for regulated trades and professions. Lawyers advise you on requirements.
Health, building, zoning, sign, and special event permits follow separate rules and deadlines, and a missed permit brings fines or a shutdown.
Before you collect sales tax or buy inventory, you need these permits, often in multiple states. Your law firm can help.
Required for alcohol, tobacco, firearms, transportation, aviation, broadcasting, and agriculture. LegalShield business plan “document checks” cover reviews of these applications.
Required licenses depend on your industry, business structure, and location. Operating without one brings fines, so check federal, state, and local rules before you open
A law firm reviews your industry, structure, and location and can advise you on the requirements.
Errors and missing documents cause delays and denials. Fixing mistakes before you file saves weeks of back and forth with the agency.
Your law firm can review the application and flag missing items before the government agency does.
A denial letter states the reason and sets a deadline to appeal or reapply. Miss the deadline and you lose your right to appeal.
Your law firm can review the denial letter and make a call or send a letter on your business’s behalf.
Late renewals bring fines, and some agencies add penalties for each month of lapse. Respond by the deadline on the notice, and do not keep operating on an expired license.
Your law firm can advise you before you respond.
Each state sets its own license, tax registration, and foreign qualification rules. Selling or working in a state creates obligations there, even without an office.
Every plan includes legal advice on out-of-state matters.
Licensing boards investigate complaints and set short response deadlines. A weak response leads to fines, suspension, or loss of your license.
Your law firm can review the complaint and advise you on how to respond.
You can ask questions on an unlimited number of business legal matters, like which licenses and permits you need.
Up to one hour of legal research per matter is available under each plan.
Document checks: 6 per year up to 25 pages on Basic, 12 per year up to 35 pages on Preferred, or 100 per year up to 50 pages on Premium.
Some out-of-state document checks are included on the Preferred and Premium plans.
This is key so you can catch lapsed licenses and compliance gaps.
This is available at 15%, 20%, or 25% off the law firm’s usual hourly rate (depending on plan).
*See table below for full details.
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billed annually at$1,835.46
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billed annually at$647.46
*See table below for full details.
billed annually at$1,835.46
billed annually at$1,079.46
billed annually at$647.46
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Then use the app or your computer to tell us what kind of help you need.
Speak with an experienced lawyer who can help with your business license issue, usually within a business day.
Get business license answers, application reviews, and phone calls or letters written on your business’ behalf.
A DBA is a name registration that lets you run your business under a name other than your personal legal name or legal business entity. While a DBA offers branding flexibility and market expansion opportunities without creating a new legal structure, it does not provide legal liability protection, tax benefits, or function as a business license.
Knowing how to franchise your business takes more than enthusiasm. It takes documented systems, legal preparation, and the right partners.
We’ll cover all the steps and even tell you about more things you’ll need to do after your LLC filing in Tennessee.
The main difference between a DBA and an LLC is liability protection. Learn the pros and cons between an LLC and DBA.
Developing businesses require new kinds of contracts for different and complex deals and partnerships.
Most businesses, including sole proprietors, LLCs, home-based businesses, and online sellers, need a license. The requirement comes from your city, county, state, and for regulated industries, the federal government. Your provider law firm can advise you on which licenses apply.
Identify the licenses your industry and location require, gather the relevant documents, file with the issuing agency and pay the fee. A local general business license often takes days to a few weeks. Professional licenses and permits requiring inspections take longer. Federal licenses run months. Your law firm can research the requirements for up to 1 hour per matter and can review your application before you file.
No, your law firm tells you which licenses you need, can review your applications as document checks, and can contact the agency on your business's behalf if there is a problem. However, you file the application and pay the agency's fee.
Have your law firm review the denial letter. The firm can send a letter or make a call on your behalf to the agency. The Small Business Basic plan includes 6 letters or calls per membership year, Preferred 12, and Premium an unlimited number for unrelated matters.
You may. Every LegalShield Small Business Plan includes advice for out-of-state matters. See plans for details.
Small Business Plans start at just $59.95 a month with no hourly fees for the consultations, research, document checks, and letters included in your plan. Government filing fees are separate. Compare all of our plans on the small business pricing page.
Usually one business day after you submit it.
Legal advice on the complaint and documents associated with the hearing is included, but representation at the hearing isn’t included. Members get 15%, 20%, or 25% off the firm's standard hourly rate depending on thier plan.
Instead of paying a lawyer by the hour, you pay a small fee (starting at $24.95/month for personal and $49/month for small business) and have access to an independent lawyer who will provide a huge variety of legal services without a huge legal bill. Services like consultation with a lawyer, document review, drafting of debt collection letters and defense at civil trials are included as standard benefits. Using the plan just once can save you literally thousands of dollars.
Using the plan is as simple as signing up and contacting our team. Once you’re a member, customer support will connect you with an independent lawyer in your area who specializes in the specific legal issue with which you need help. Also, you can download our super-simple app to quickly access your legal benefits and member perks anytime.
You can use your plan as soon as your membership application is reviewed and your account is set up — typically within 1-3 business days of purchase. Once your account is active, you can connect with your provider law firm typically within 8 business hours of submitting your request.
The average lawyer in the U.S. charges between $150-$400 per hour. If you use your membership for even just a few hours a year you could easily save over $1,000. If you have a bunch of small legal issues or one rather complicated issue, you can easily save multiple thousands of dollars over hiring a lawyer directly. Not to mention the stress you’ll save by having a lawyer on call instead of trying to handle legal issues yourself.
Also, the lawyers in our network often help our members recover thousands of dollars of damages or avoid thousands of dollars in fees over what they would have experienced had they tried to resolve the legal issue themselves. Obviously, every member and usage situation is different, but when used correctly, your membership can easily save significant amounts of money. Not to mention savings from our member perks.
Talk to a law firm today about which licenses your business needs. They can review applications and advise you on dealing with the government agency if something goes wrong. Plans start at just $59.95/month.
