{"id":357983,"date":"2016-04-04T10:46:18","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:46:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/hirealawyer\/choosing-the-right-lawyer\/corporate-law.html"},"modified":"2024-04-10T22:34:11","modified_gmt":"2024-04-11T03:34:11","slug":"corporate-law","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/hirealawyer\/choosing-the-right-lawyer\/corporate-law.html","title":{"rendered":"What Is Corporate Law?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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What Is Corporate Law?<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By FindLaw Staff<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Corporate law governs the formation, operation, and regulation of corporations as separate legal entities. It covers everything from required corporate meetings and regulatory compliance to contracts, employment issues, and other\u00a0 legal matters businesses face.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

A corporation is a legal entity created under state law. The law treats a corporation as an entity separate from its owners, or shareholders, who own stock in the company. Corporations can be small or startup businesses incorporated for tax purposes, or large companies formed through mergers of other businesses<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What makes corporations unique from other business entities is the manner of business formation. Corporations must comply with state regulations and file documents of incorporation<\/a> so the state recognizes them as corporations.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Companies often rely on corporate lawyers<\/a> to navigate these rules, reduce risk, and ensure their business complies with the law. Keep reading to learn about how this area of law impacts your business.<\/p>\n

Corporate Law Legal Issues<\/h2>\n

Corporate law encompasses the legal issues corporations may face. Corporations are subject to many regulations they must follow to enjoy the tax and other benefits of corporations. Most states require corporations to conduct annual shareholder meetings<\/a>. State law requires meetings of the board of directors and corporate officers. Most corporations have legal counsel at all meetings to ensure compliance with state and federal requirements.<\/p>\n

In addition to these corporate law issues, corporations face the same legal issues as other businesses<\/a>. These can include:<\/p>\n