Most small business owners meet a lawyer twice: once when something is being formed, and once when something has gone wrong. The second visit is far more expensive than the first. An operating agreement that actually addresses what happens when a partner leaves, a contract that says who pays when a project runs over, a corporate record book that survives a lender’s diligence review — these are cheap to get right at the start and painful to fix later.
Volo Law works the way a small business needs a lawyer to work: flat fees quoted before the work begins, documents drafted for your situation rather than pulled off a shelf, and a direct line to the attorney who wrote them.
Entity Formation and General Corporate Representation
We help clients choose a form of business entity suitable for the client’s business, review the tax implications of each entity choice, review capitalization choices and shareholder issues, and generally counsel clients on starting a business from incorporation through issuing shares of stock or ownership interests. We provide comprehensive legal support for stock issuances, ESOPs, preferred stock, annual minutes and corporate resolutions, and maintenance of the business entity.
The entity choice is the one that is hardest to undo. An S corporation, a C corporation, an LLC, and a limited partnership are taxed differently, raise capital differently, and expose their owners differently. Attorney Bayard de Volo graduated from Boston University School of Law with an emphasis on tax law, which is directly relevant to that first decision.
Formation is also not the end of it. California imposes an annual minimum franchise tax on most entities, requires periodic Statements of Information, and expects corporations to keep real records. A corporation that never holds a meeting or documents a resolution is a weaker shield than its owner thinks. We handle the annual minutes and resolutions that keep the entity in good standing.
Contracts
Tony Bayard de Volo has practiced law for more than twenty years. He graduated with high honors from the University of California, Berkeley, then earned his law degree at Boston University School of Law, finishing in the top ten percent of his class with an emphasis on tax law. He worked as a tax lawyer at PricewaterhouseCoopers and at large firms in Chicago and Newport Beach before opening his own office in 2003. He is also a licensed California real estate broker and runs Legal Realty, with active agents working under the brokerage.
Entity Formation and General Corporate Representation
We help clients choose a form of business entity suitable for a client’s business, review the tax implications of each entity choice, review capitalization choices and shareholder issues, and generally counsel clients on starting a business from incorporation to issuing shares of stock or ownership interests. We provide comprehensive legal support for stock issuances, ESOPs, preferred stock, annual minutes and corporate resolutions, and maintenance of the business entity.
How We Work
A free 20-minute consultation
Describe the situation and get a straight answer about what you need and what it will cost.
A flat fee, quoted up front
You approve the fee before any work starts. Complicated matters are quoted separately, also in advance.
Documents written for your business
Not a fill-in-the-blank form from a filing service that cannot answer a question about your own company.
A direct line afterward
Quick questions from existing clients are free. Call.
Flat-Fee Business Documents
| Document | Flat fee |
| S-Corp formation | $700 |
| LLC formation | $700 |
| Partnership formation | $700 |
All documents are for typical, simple scenarios. Complicated documents may require more time and cost, and all fees must be approved by you in advance. Fees do not include third-party or government filing fees. See the full Flat Fee Packages page.
Why Clients Choose Volo Law Group
Tony Bayard de Volo has practiced law for more than twenty years. He graduated with high honors from the University of California, Berkeley, then earned his law degree at Boston University School of Law, finishing in the top ten percent of his class with an emphasis on tax law. He practiced at large firms in Chicago and Newport Beach before opening his own office in 2003. He is also a practicing California real estate broker, which matters when a business deal involves a lease, a building, or real property collateral.
You work directly with the attorney. No associates, no handoffs, no hourly meter running while you explain your business a second time.
Serving San Jose, Fremont, and the Bay Area
Our office is at 1541 The Alameda in San Jose. We represent businesses throughout Santa Clara County — San Jose, Santa Clara, Campbell, Milpitas, Sunnyvale, Cupertino, and Los Gatos — as well as Fremont, Union City, Newark, and southern Alameda County.
Frequently Asked Questions
Talk to a San Jose Business Attorney
Whether you are forming your first entity, papering a deal, or cleaning up records that have drifted, the first conversation is free and takes twenty minutes. Attorney Tony Bayard de Volo handles every matter personally.