Business Entity Formation with Attorney Peter S. Buas

At Williams, Moore, Shockley & Harrison, LLP, we provide full-service, attorney-led assistance for forming Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) under Maryland law. Our goal is to ensure your business is not only legally compliant from day one, but also structured to meet your long-term goals.

We manage the entire legal formation process, including:

• Preparing and filing the Articles of Organization with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT)
• Drafting a custom Operating Agreement, based on your company’s ownership structure, management preferences, and business purpose
• Obtaining a Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS (upon request)
• Advising on initial organizational decisions, including member or manager roles, ownership interests, capital contributions, and internal governance considerations

Many business owners start their companies using online platforms — only to discover later that key documents were incomplete, improperly structured, or unenforceable. With our firm, we can work with you to tailor organizational documents to meet any specific needs

We do not provide tax or accounting advice, nor do we determine your tax obligations. We recommend consulting a qualified CPA regarding income tax classification (e.g., default treatment vs. S-corp election) and ongoing compliance. If you need assistance, we are happy to provide referrals to trusted accountants we work with regularly.

We also do not provide ongoing business compliance services (e.g., annual filings, licensing, or renewals) unless separately agreed in writing.

When forming a Limited Liability Company (LLC) in Maryland, one of the key decisions is how the business will be managed. There are two primary management structures: Member-Managed and Manager-Managed. The choice you make will affect how decisions are made, how authority is exercised, and how responsibilities are shared among owners.

1. Member-Managed LLC.  In a member-managed LLC, all members (owners) are actively involved in the day-to-day operations and decision-making of the business. This is the default structure in Maryland unless otherwise specified in the Articles of Organization or Operating Agreement. It's often used when all members want equal access to management and control.
2. Manager-Managed LLC.  In a manager-managed LLC, one or more managers—who may or may not be members—are appointed to handle the business’s daily operations. The remaining members act more like passive owners, retaining voting rights on major decisions but not engaging in routine management. This structure is commonly used when there is a need to delegate authority clearly among partners or teams.

We guide our clients through this important decision during the LLC formation process. We explain the legal and practical implications of each structure, and help ensure that your choice is clearly reflected in the Operating Agreement and other organizing documents. If your business has unique ownership dynamics, silent partners, or tiered roles, we will tailor the documents to address those complexities and avoid future disputes.

Our goal is to give you a structure that supports your business’s growth while minimizing confusion or legal exposure down the road.

To efficiently prepare and file your LLC formation documents, our office will collect a set of key details to ensure your company is legally compliant and accurately structured. These items form the foundation of both your Articles of Organization and Operating Agreement, and help us tailor your documents to meet your specific business goals.

We typically request the following:

• Desired LLC Name (subject to availability in Maryland)
• Principal Place of Business in Maryland (must be a physical address; P.O. Boxes are not accepted)
• Business Purpose — a general description of the type of business or services offered
• Registered Agent Information, including name and Maryland street address
• Management Structure — whether the LLC will be member-managed or manager-managed
• Names and Ownership Percentages of All Members
• Initial Capital Contributions (if any) to be made by each member
• Whether you’d like us to obtain a Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS on your behalf

Every Maryland LLC is required by law to designate a Registered Agent — sometimes referred to as a Resident Agent — when filing its Articles of Organization. The Registered Agent acts as the business’s official point of contact for legal notices, service of process, and government correspondence. 

A Registered Agent must be either:

• A Maryland resident (individual)
• A Maryland corporation authorized to do business in the state.  They must have a Maryland street address (P.O. boxes are not allowed). You can serve as your own Registered Agent.

 Yes. While the example above focuses on LLCs, we also assist with forming corporations, including preparing Articles of Incorporation, drafting bylaws, and providing initial corporate governance guidance.

Yes. We can apply for your Employer Identification Number (EIN) as part of the entity formation process.

An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a unique number issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to identify a business for federal tax purposes. It functions similarly to a Social Security Number, but for entities such as LLCs and corporations. Most businesses are required to obtain an EIN in order to open a business bank account, file federal or state taxes, hire employees, apply for business licenses or permits, and comply with ongoing IRS reporting obligations.

We can complete and submit the IRS application on your behalf — usually at the time of filing your Articles of Organization or Incorporation — to streamline the process.

Our legal fees for business entity formation vary based on the complexity of your business structure and the scope of services needed. We understand that no two businesses are the same — and our goal is to draft organizational documents that meet your business’s long-term needs, not just check a box for filing.

We bill on an hourly basis, with current attorney rates ranging from $275 to $375 per hour, and paralegal rates from $70 to $95 per hour. In addition to legal time, you may incur filing fees, courier costs, and other pass-through expenses (such as state filing fees and fees for obtaining an EIN).

For most standard Maryland LLCs or corporations, we are typically able to provide a cost estimate up front once we have reviewed your intake form and discussed your goals. More complex matters — such as those involving multiple members, custom voting provisions, layered ownership, or buy-sell arrangements — may require additional attorney time.

The timeline to form a business entity in Maryland depends largely on how filings are submitted and the current processing times at the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT).

Under standard processing, the formation of an LLC or corporation typically takes 2–4 weeks from the time of submission. However, for clients needing a quicker turnaround, SDAT offers expedited filing, which can reduce the processing time to approximately 1–4 business days, depending on agency volume.

Yes — Maryland allows you to use your home address as your LLC’s principal office, provided it is a valid Maryland street address (P.O. Boxes are not permitted).

The principal office is the official business address listed in your Articles of Organization and kept on file with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT). This address becomes part of the public record and is where the state may send official correspondence, such as annual report reminders, compliance notices, or legal documents.

Many small business owners and startups begin with a home-based principal office, especially during the early stages of business. As your business grows, you can amend the filing to reflect a commercial address.

To begin the LLC or corporate formation process, please contact the office of Peter Buas to request an intake form. Once completed, you may return it via email, or call (410) 289-3553 and ask to speak with a member of Peter Buas’s staff for assistance. You may also send an email inquiry directly to pb***@***sh.com, or contact Peter’s legal assistant, Abigail Gorman, at ag*****@***sh.com. Our team is available to guide you through the process and answer any questions you may have.