Molly Maloney
Indie Business Attorney

I love helping people in my community bring their dreams to life! As an attorney at Hawkes Law Firm in Shoreline, my law practice focuses on transactional work for local independent businesses, non-profits, and individuals.

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

But starting your business is just the first step: 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 almost always 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 indy business owners - especially unpartnered folks with no real property who are just starting out - overlook estate planning. Yes, you DO need a will. Properly drafted, they can protect your business and personal interests. More importantly, your business is going to be a smashing success! Should the worst happen, a will ensures that, the assets you've worked so hard for go to the people YOU want them to go to, not to whom the State says they should go to.

New business is always appreciated, but what I really need are the names of some reputable Boston Terrier breeders!!

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