Q: Do I need to register my virtual law firm?
I am licensed in Georgia but I will be using my "law firm" solely to file trademark applications for clients. Do I need to register my law firm (LLC, PC, etc.) or can I operate as is?
A: If you are not physically located in California and do not maintain a physical presence in California, you may not need to register your virtual law firm with the California State Bar or comply with California's registration and disclosure requirements for law firms. However, if you intend to offer legal services to clients located in California, you should consult with a California attorney to ensure that you are in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. It is also important to note that you may be subject to the jurisdiction of the California courts if you engage in conduct that is considered to be practicing law in California without being properly licensed or registered.
A: If you plan to operate your virtual law firm from California, you may need to register with the California State Bar as a foreign legal consultant or form a professional corporation (PC) or professional limited liability company (PLLC) in California. The specific requirements may depend on the details of your situation, so it may be helpful to consult with an attorney or the California State Bar for guidance on what is required in your specific circumstances.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.