Legal Dictionary: Corporate Law

DEFINITION

• A corporation is a legal entity created by or under the authority of the laws of a state. The law treats a corporation as a person that can sue or be sued. A corporation is distinct from the individuals who own stock in the company. These individuals are called shareholders.

• When a corporation is formed, state statutes require that the corporation be given a name that is kept on record at the Secretary of State's office. Only by such name may the corporation sue, be sued or conduct all other legal acts.

• The law recognizes different types of corporations, such as close corporations, S corporations, nonprofit corporations and professional corporations.

• Corporate Law refers to the type of law that corporate attorneys practice. A Corporate Law practice encompasses mostly civil business law, such as contracts, negotiation, intellectual property and employment law.

FIND A CORPORATE LAWYER IN YOUR AREA.

More information on CORPORATIONS and BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS.

RELATED PRACTICE AREAS

Business & Commercial Law
Real Estate Law
Personal Injury -- Defense
Worker's Compensation Law

BUZZWORDS

• Close Corporation
• Intellectual Property
• Nonprofit Corporation
• Piercing the Corporate Veil
• Professional Corporation
• S Corporation

For more definitions related to Corporate Law, visit the Small Business Law Glossary in the FindLaw Legal Dictionary.