The top-rated business lawyer in Boston, Massachusetts is Morgan & Morgan, rated 4.6 stars across 5,890 reviews. Other highly rated options include Michael Kelly Injury Lawyers, Altman Nussbaum Shunnarah Trial Attorneys, Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers. This directory lists 22 business lawyers serving Boston.
Comparison
| # | Name | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morgan & Morgan | 155 Federal St #1502 | (857) 214-2148 |
| 2 | Michael Kelly Injury Lawyers | 65A Atlantic Ave | (617) 340-8798 |
| 3 | Altman Nussbaum Shunnarah Trial Attorneys | 44 School St 6th Floor | (857) 386-6665 |
| 4 | Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers | 1 International Pl #1810 | (617) 865-7000 |
| 5 | Rights Protection Law Group, PLLC | 75 State St Suite 100 | (844) 574-4487 |
| 6 | Sweeney Merrigan Personal Injury Lawyers | 268 Summer St LL | (617) 944-5134 |
| 7 | EJ Schneider, Esq. at Dalton & Finegold LLP | 125 High St Suite 405 | (617) 377-4066 |
| 8 | Tempus Fugit Law, LLC | 185 Devonshire St STE 201 | (617) 752-2371 |
| 9 | Breakstone, White & Gluck | 2 Center Plz Suite 530 | (800) 379-1244 |
| 10 | Markey Law Partners - Restraining Order Lawyers | 142 Commercial St # C2 | (877) 488-2667 |
Morgan & Morgan serves the Boston metropolitan area, offering legal guidance for business owners navigating corporate transactions and disputes. The firm advises on entity formation, contract drafting, and partnership agreements to support local enterprises. Attorneys work with clients on licensing and regulatory compliance across various industries. Morgan & Morgan also handles commercial litigation and merger negotiations for growing companies in Massachusetts.
Michael Kelly Injury Lawyers is known for providing legal representation to individuals in Boston, Massachusetts. The firm handles a broad range of business law matters, including contract disputes and partnership issues. Every case is managed with an emphasis on protecting client interests and pursuing fair financial outcomes. Additional services encompass litigation support for commercial claims and small business formation guidance. For clients requiring immediate action, the practice also offers emergency temporary restraining order filings.
Altman Nussbaum Shunnarah Trial Attorneys in Boston, MA offers legal representation for business disputes, contract negotiation, and corporate litigation. The firm provides ongoing counsel for compliance matters and legal document preparation to help businesses maintain operations. They assist with partnership conflicts, intellectual property issues, and employment law situations. Services are available for commercial properties including offices, retail spaces, restaurants, and multifamily apartment buildings.
Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers serves local businesses in the Boston area that require legal counsel on commercial transactions, contract disputes, and corporate governance matters. The firm provides strategic guidance to small and medium-sized enterprises navigating Massachusetts business regulations and liability issues. Services include entity formation, shareholder agreements, and real estate contract review. The practice also represents property management companies facing lease negotiations or zoning compliance challenges. Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers extends this business litigation and transactional support to clients throughout the greater Cambridge metro region.
Rights Protection Law Group, PLLC serves Boston and its surrounding communities, handling a broad range of business legal matters for local entrepreneurs and established companies. Its practice includes contract review, business formation, dispute resolution, and compliance guidance under Massachusetts law. The firm addresses each client’s situation by first assessing the specific legal risks involved, then developing a straightforward strategy to achieve the desired outcome efficiently.
Sweeney Merrigan Personal Injury Lawyers in Boston, Massachusetts, assists business clients with both one-time contract reviews and ongoing corporate compliance matters. General business law coverage includes entity formation, liability management, and dispute resolution for local companies. Legal services help business owners navigate regulatory requirements and commercial agreements. This firm typically provides its business law support on an as-needed basis, allowing clients to request assistance when specific legal questions or transactional needs arise.
As Boston companies adjust their strategies for the upcoming fiscal quarter, owners often require updated counsel on contracts and regulatory obligations. EJ Schneider, Esq. at Dalton & Finegold LLP provides straightforward legal guidance for corporate structuring, partnership disputes, and commercial transactions. The firm assists with entity formation, liability protection, and agreement reviews typical for growing enterprises in the region. To begin, a potential client can schedule an initial consultation to review their current business documents and discuss specific legal concerns.
Tempus Fugit Law, LLC advises business owners on legal matters in Boston, Massachusetts. The firm focuses on business law, including contract drafting, regulatory compliance, and dispute resolution for growing companies. Clients receive guidance on forming entities and structuring transactions to meet operational goals. The practice assists commercial enterprises ranging from office-based professional services to warehouses handling logistics and distribution, as well as food service establishments requiring compliance with health and safety regulations.
Breakstone, White & Gluck advises Boston clients on business law matters, including contract drafting, corporate formation, and partnership disputes. The firm’s attorneys handle negotiations, regulatory compliance, and transaction support for small to mid-sized enterprises. It also assists with liability assessments and shareholder issues. As the calendar year progresses, the firm helps businesses in Boston review and update their commercial lease agreements to prepare for upcoming renewal deadlines.
Markey Law Partners - Restraining Order Lawyers serves residential clients in the Boston area with legal guidance for business-related disputes. The firm also assists commercial clients facing operational challenges that intersect with protective orders and restraining order matters. They provide ongoing support for businesses needing to address violations or modify existing orders as circumstances change. Regular follow-up visits are available between scheduled appointments to ensure continued compliance with court requirements and to update legal strategies as needed.
What Does a a Business Lawyer in Boston Cost?
Typical costs for a business lawyer in Massachusetts vary widely based on the service. Entity formation flat fees range from $500 to $2,000, which includes state filing fees and drafting of operating agreements or bylaws. Hourly rates for ongoing legal work, such as contract negotiation or dispute resolution, fall between $200 and $500 per hour, with many attorneys requiring a retainer of $2,500 to $10,000 upfront. For ongoing counsel, monthly retainer packages for general business advice cost between $1,500 and $5,000 per month, covering a set number of hours.
These figures are general estimates and may not reflect current market rates or individual attorney pricing. This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. You should consult directly with a qualified attorney to obtain a specific fee quote tailored to your situation.
About business lawyers in Boston
Business law in Boston, Massachusetts encompasses a broad spectrum of legal services critical to the commercial life of the city. From entity formation to complex commercial disputes, a business lawyer guides entrepreneurs and established companies through the legal landscape. The most common business structures include the limited liability company (LLC), the corporation (both C-corp and S-corp), and the general or limited partnership. Each structure carries distinct implications for liability, taxation, and governance. For example, an LLC offers flexibility and pass-through taxation, while a corporation provides a more rigid framework with potential benefits for raising capital through stock issuance. Beyond formation, business lawyers draft and negotiate contracts, handle intellectual property protection for trademarks and copyrights, advise on employment compliance with state and federal wage laws, and manage mergers and acquisitions, which in Boston often involve complex due diligence and regulatory approvals.
Massachusetts imposes specific legal requirements on businesses operating within its borders. For entity formation, the Secretary of the Commonwealth oversees filings; an LLC must file a Certificate of Organization with a $500 filing fee, while a corporation files Articles of Organization at $275. The state levies a corporate excise tax of 8.0% on net income, with a minimum tax of $456 for most corporations. Massachusetts also imposes a 6.25% sales tax on most retail sales of tangible personal property, though certain services are exempt. Annual filing requirements include the Annual Report for all business entities, due by the anniversary date of formation, with a fee of $520 for LLCs and $275 for corporations. The Massachusetts General Laws, particularly Chapter 156C for LLCs and Chapter 156D for corporations, govern business operations, and failure to comply can result in administrative dissolution or loss of liability protection.
Businesses in Boston typically need a lawyer at several critical junctures. When starting up, a lawyer assists with choosing the right entity structure, drafting operating agreements or bylaws, and obtaining necessary licenses, such as a Boston business certificate from the City of Boston. Contract drafting is another frequent need; a well-drafted commercial lease, service agreement, or vendor contract can prevent costly disputes. Partnership disputes often require immediate legal intervention to enforce or dissolve agreements, and employee issues such as non-compete agreements, wage and hour claims under Massachusetts law (which requires overtime at 1.5 times the regular rate after 40 hours), or discrimination allegations demand experienced counsel. Regulatory compliance is increasingly complex, especially for industries like healthcare, technology, and finance, which are prevalent in Boston. Finally, buying or selling a business involves asset purchase agreements, earn-out provisions, and representations and warranties, all requiring careful legal review.
Common business disputes in Boston frequently involve breach of contract, where one party fails to perform as agreed, leading to claims for damages or specific performance. Partnership dissolution can become contentious when partners disagree on asset distribution or valuation, often requiring mediation or litigation in Suffolk County Superior Court. Non-compete enforcement is a hot topic in Massachusetts; since the 2018 Noncompetition Agreement Act, non-competes are unenforceable for non-exempt employees, must be supported by consideration, and are limited to 12 months in duration. Collections disputes arise when businesses fail to pay for goods or services, and Massachusetts law allows for prejudgment interest at 12% per annum. Commercial landlord-tenant disputes, such as evictions for non-payment of rent or lease violations, follow specific procedures under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 186. Intellectual property infringement, including trademark dilution or copyright violations, is common in Boston’s innovation economy, with remedies including injunctions and statutory damages.
Hiring a business lawyer in Boston involves understanding typical fee structures. Hourly rates for experienced business attorneys range from $200 to $500 or more per hour, depending on the attorney’s experience and the complexity of the matter. Many lawyers require a retainer, which is an upfront deposit held in a trust account and billed against as work is performed. For routine services, flat fees are common: entity formation typically costs between $500 and $2,000, including the state filing fees and drafting of governing documents. Contract review or drafting may be offered at a flat rate of $1,000 to $5,000 for standard agreements. Ongoing counsel packages, sometimes called general counsel services, are available for monthly retainers ranging from $1,500 to $5,000 per month, covering a set number of hours for routine legal advice, compliance reviews, and contract negotiations. Some lawyers offer free initial consultations, but many charge for the first meeting.
Boston’s business environment is driven by several major industries, including biotechnology and life sciences, higher education, healthcare, financial services, and technology. The city is home to numerous startups and research institutions, creating demand for specialized legal services in intellectual property, venture capital financing, and regulatory compliance. Small business resources are abundant: the Boston Small Business Development Center (SBDC) offers free advising and workshops, while the City of Boston’s Office of Economic Development provides assistance with permits, licensing, and access to capital. The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce connects business owners with networking opportunities, advocacy, and educational programs. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Massachusetts District Office, located in Boston, offers loan programs, including the 7(a) loan program up to $5 million, and disaster assistance. Additionally, the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation provides financing and technical assistance to small businesses, and programs like the Boston Main Streets initiative support neighborhood commercial districts. Navigating these resources with a business lawyer ensures that legal and regulatory hurdles do not impede growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Massachusetts specific requirements for forming an LLC in Boston?
To form an LLC in Boston, you must file a Certificate of Organization with the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, accompanied by a $500 filing fee. The LLC must also publish a notice of formation in a local newspaper for two consecutive weeks and file an affidavit of publication with the state. An annual report is due each year by the anniversary of formation, with a $520 filing fee, and failure to file can result in administrative dissolution.
How much does a business lawyer in Boston typically charge for contract review?
For a standard contract review, Boston business lawyers often charge a flat fee between $1,000 and $5,000, depending on the complexity and length of the document. Hourly rates for this work range from $200 to $500 per hour, with a typical review taking 2 to 5 hours. Some attorneys offer a free initial consultation to assess the scope of work before providing a fee estimate.
What is the process for resolving a business dispute in Massachusetts Superior Court?
A business dispute in Massachusetts Superior Court begins with filing a complaint and paying a filing fee, typically around $240. The defendant must respond within 20 days, and the case proceeds through discovery, which can take 6 to 12 months. Most cases are subject to mandatory mediation, and if unresolved, a trial is scheduled, often 12 to 18 months after filing. Appeals go to the Massachusetts Appeals Court and must be filed within 30 days of the final judgment.