Molly Maloney
Small Business Attorney

Indie Business Law, PLLC

I love helping people in my community bring their dreams to life! My firm, Indie Business Law, PLLC, focuses on transactional work for local independent businesses, non-profits, and individuals.

I have a particular commitment to serving the arts, social justice, and sex positive communities.

First and foremost, I guide entrepreneurs through the business formation process, from initial entity choice through final signatures on the Operating Agreement or Bylaws. It's vital that each business have the right operating structure, so I take the time to get to know both the owner AND the business. I don't utilize boilerplate documents, instead tailoring Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, and Operating Agreements to meet the needs of the owner.

In addition, I frequently work with business owners who have completed the initial Secretary of State filing themselves but are stymied by the remaining paperwork that's required by law. This is particularly important for incorporations, PLLCs, and any entity with more than one owner.

Entity formation is just the first step, however: proper care and feeding is required! Too many enterpreneurs overlook corporate maintenance, leaving their personal assets vulnerable. So, I not only advise and assist my clients in choosing and creating the right entity for their business, I also help them protect what they've worked so hard for by providing corporate maintenance services. Annual reports, minutes, resolutions, and amendments fall through the cracks for too many businesses. Observing these corporate formalities keeps your legal and protected.

Caring for your business also means having solid employment and independent contractor agreements, and legally binding liability waivers, informed consent, non-disclosure, and non-compete agreements. Remember: "Help me" is cheaper than "fix me!"

Have you been given commercial lease, vendor agreement, or service contract to sign? I'm one of those rare souls who actually enjoys reading contracts, so let me wade through the hereins and thereinafters for you. I'll give you honest advice in plain English about the good, the bad, and the boilerplate!

Are you and your (life) partner wanting to "make it legal?" Then a premarital or domestic partnership agreement is a must! You wouldn't start your company without a solid plan, so why begin the most important relationship in your life without one? Taking the time now can save not only your business but a lot of heartache should a break-up occur. Laying out and clarifying beliefs and expectations before legalizing a personal relationship is never a mistake.

Too many indie business owners - especially unpartnered folks with no hard assets - overlook estate planning. Yes, you DO need an estate plan. Properly drafted, an estate plan can protect your business and personal interests. Should the worst happen, a will ensures that the assets you've worked so hard for are distributed to the people or charities of your choosing, not to whom the State says they should go (nor to the State itself).

New business is always appreciated, of course, but right now I'd like to expand my network of CPAs. Many of my clients need a referral for small business tax advice - especially for 2553 election and Purchase agreements - and I want to give them names of folks I trust.

J.D., Seattle University School of Law, Seattle, WA.

B.A., Women's Health/Medical Anthropology, Hampshire College, Amherst, MA.

I've taken a twisty, scenic path to get where I am now. I have a background in non-profit and small business management, civil liberties, social and health services, and the arts.

My clients list covers a wide spectrum of businesses and industries, from health and wellness to general contracting and the trades to arts and religious non-profits.

In addition, I regularly gift my time and skills to the arts, social justice, and community organizations, such as:

• The Camerahead Project
• The South County Senior Center
• The WSBA Civil Rights Committee
• The Business & Economic Development Council