in attorney lingo what does pllc mean

by Ansley Dietrich 7 min read

A professional limited liability company (PLLC) is a business structure that offers personal asset protection for business owners in licensed occupations, such as medicine and law. Only recognized in some states, PLLCs are subject to the same laws as ordinary LLCs.

What does PLLC mean in a law firm name?

What Does PLLC Mean in Lawyer Terms? The abbreviation "PLLC" in the name of a law firm, or any other business, stands for "professional limited liability company." It's a special type of limited liability company that can only be formed and controlled by state-licensed professionals, such as lawyers.

What is the difference between PLLC and LLLP?

LLLP Vs. LLC The abbreviation "PLLC" in the name of a law firm, or any other business, stands for "professional limited liability company." It's a special type of limited liability company that can only be formed and controlled by state-licensed professionals, such as lawyers.

What is a professional limited liability company (PLLC)?

PLLC is a professional limited liability company, which is a type of LLC. It is formed by licensed professionals engaged in the same type of services. A PLLC can only offer services related to the profession of its members.

Can a lawyer have a PLLC?

How a PLLC Works. An LLC is a hybrid business that combines the liability shield of a corporation with the tax benefits of a partnership. Some states, however, do not let people with professional licenses, such as doctors, lawyers, or engineers, form an LLC.

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What does PLLC stand for in legal terms?

A professional limited liability company ("PLLC") is a business entity designed for licensed professionals, such as lawyers, doctors, architects, engineers, accountants, and chiropractors.

What is the benefit of a PLLC?

The advantage of a PLLC is that this type of business separates the assets and ownership of its members so that the actions of one don't impact the liability of the others. Licensed professionals are those such as doctors, dentists, accountants, and other licensed professionals.

What is the difference between an LLC and a pllc?

A PLLC is a kind of LLC specifically for licensed professionals. The difference between an LLC and a PLLC is mainly that only licensed professionals such as architects, doctors, lawyers and accountants can form PLLCs. Check with your state to determine if they permit licensed professionals to form a standard LLC.

What does PLC mean after an attorney name?

Professional Limited Liability Company. It's the same as an LLC but reserved for professional services (doctors, lawyers, accountants, etc.). PLLC and PLC are synonymous and interchangeable... More.

What is the main difference between a professional and a regular LLC?

The main difference between a LLC and a PLLC is that only professionals recognized in a state through licensing, such as architects, medical practitioners and lawyers, can form PLLCs. The articles of organization are similar to those for a standard LLC, but extra steps are necessary to file.

What is the difference between PC and pllc?

Similar to how the PLLC is analogous to the LLC, a PC is in many ways similar to a standard corporation. The main difference being, again, that professionals cannot operate as regular corporations and only professionals can be shareholders in a PC. Corporations default to C-Corp. taxation when they are formed.

Does an LLC protect personal assets as a therapist?

Yes. An LLC will give you personal liability protection against potential business risks as well as give your counseling center more tax options and credibility. It is relatively inexpensive and simple to form and maintain an LLC. Learn more about counseling center LLC benefits.

What are the main differences between an LLC and an S corporation?

LLCs can have an unlimited number of members; S corps can have no more than 100 shareholders (owners). Non-U.S. citizens/residents can be members of LLCs; S corps may not have non-U.S. citizens/residents as shareholders. S corporations cannot be owned by corporations, LLCs, partnerships or many trusts.

What is a sole proprietor vs LLC?

An LLC exists separately from its owners—known as members. However, members are not personally responsible for business debts and liabilities. Instead, the LLC is responsible. A sole proprietorship is an unincorporated business owned and run by one person.

What does it mean when an attorney has PC after their name?

In many states, people in certain occupations (for example, doctors, lawyers, or accountants) who want to incorporate their practice can do so only through "professional corporations" (PC) or "professional service corporations." In other states, some professionals have a choice of incorporating as either a professional ...

WHAT IS PLC in court?

Permanent Lok Adalats have been set up as permanent bodies with a Chairman and two members for providing compulsory pre-litigative mechanism for conciliation and settlement of cases relating to Public Utility Services like transport, postal, telegraph etc.

Is a PLC a private company?

A PLC is a publicly traded company, while a private limited company is also a U.K. company, except it is private. There are other notable differences between the two, such as the fact that a private limited company only has to have one director, while a PLC must have two.

What does PLLC mean after a doctors name?

What is a PLLC? A professional limited liability company (PLLC) is a business structure that offers personal asset protection for business owners in licensed occupations, such as medicine and law. Only recognized in some states, PLLCs are subject to the same laws as ordinary LLCs.

What is the difference between PLLC and LLC in New York?

A New York PLLC is a limited liability company (LLC) formed specifically by people who will provide New York licensed professional services. LLCs in general are businesses registered with the state that consist of one or more people—called LLC members—who own the business.

Does Florida require PLLC?

Under Florida statute, certain businesses must conduct their operations through a professional corporation (P.C.), professional association (P.A.), limited partnership (L.P.), general partnership (G.P.), or a professional limited liability company (PLLC).

What is the difference between a LLC and a pllc Tennessee?

With an LLC, anyone can be a member, or owner, of the business. State PLLC laws often provide that only licensed professionals can be members, or that a certain number of members must be licensed professionals. A PLLC cannot be used to shield the members from claims for malpractice.

What is a PLLC?

PLLC is a professional limited liability company, which is a type of LLC. It is formed by licensed professionals engaged in the same type of services. A PLLC can only offer services related to the profession of its members. For example, lawyers can set up a PLLC for offering legal services, or a group of doctors can establish a PLLC ...

Why Form a PLLC?

An LLC offers the liability protection of a corporation, while retaining the tax benefits of a partnership firm. However, professionals like lawyers, doctors, and engineers, are not allowed to form an LLC for offering their services as a business. They must form a PLLC.

What are the professions that can be PLLC?

Usually the list of professions permitted to form a PLLC includes lawyers, doctors, accountants, and engineers. A PLLC functions in the same manner as an LLC. Its members also enjoy the benefit of limited liability. However, a PLLC does not protect its members against the claims of malpractice.

What is the principal document for forming a PLLC?

Prepare Articles of Organization. This is the principal document for forming a PLLC. It includes name and address of the business and its members.

Can a licensed professional set up an LLC?

Some states prohibit licensed professionals from setting up an LLC to offer their services. A PLLC or a professional LLC is a special type of limited liability company that can be formed only by certain categories of licensed professionals. It can offer only those services which its members are licensed to engage in.

Do you have to add PLLC at the end of your name?

Depending upon the state of formation , you may have to add PLLC at the end of your business name.

Can an LLC owner be held personally responsible for debts?

The owners, also know as members, can't be held personally responsible for debts and obligations of the company. So, the risk involved is only to the extent of their capital contribution in the LLC. LLCs also offer the pass-through taxation benefit of partnership firms.

What does PLLC stand for in law?

The abbreviation "PLLC" in the name of a law firm, or any other business, stands for "professional limited liability company.". It's a special type of limited liability company that can only be formed and controlled by state-licensed professionals, such as lawyers.

Why do companies have PLLCs?

The purpose of organizing a company as a PLLC -- or as a regular LLC -- is to shield the owners from being held personally responsible for the debts of the business. In sole proprietorships and general partnerships, the owners have unlimited liability, meaning that if the business doesn't pay its debts, creditors can try to seize the owners' personal assets. Corporations, by contrast, give their owners limited liability. Corporate shareholders can lose their investment, but no more. LLCs and PLLCs give their owners corporate-style liability protections, but free them from having to adhere to many corporate requirements.

Can a PLLC refuse to pay damages?

In other words, a lawyer operating in a PLLC can't refuse to pay damages in a malpractice lawsuit on the grounds that liability for the malpractice rests with the PLLC, not the individual professionals.

Can a professional limited liability company be a law firm?

A professional limited liability company can be formed only by people whose profession requires licensing by the state. That's why law firms organize as PLLCs. Doctors also organize their practices as PLLCs, as do accountants, architects, engineers and others. According to the legal information site Nolo, most states don't allow licensed professionals to form regular LLCs, which is why they devised the PLLC structure. Others, such as Arizona, allow professionals to form regular LLCs unless specifically prohibited from doing so by the licensing board. According to Phoenix business attorney Richard Keyt, the only Arizona board that requires the PLLC structure is the one that licenses real estate agents. Keyt's own firm is an LLC.

Can a licensed professional form an LLC?

According to the legal information site Nolo, most states don't allow licensed professionals to form regular LLCs, which is why they devised the PLLC structure. Others, such as Arizona, allow professionals to form regular LLCs unless specifically prohibited from doing so by the licensing board.

Who owns a PLLC?

Ownership. When a law firm or other business registers itself as a PLLC with the state, the organizers of the company must be licensed professionals . Rules vary by state, but typically, the majority of ownership in any PLLC must be held by license d professionals.

Is a PLLC responsible for malpractice?

However, other owners of the PLLC are also not responsible for the malpractice liabilities of an individual owner. References. Nolo: What Is a Professional Limited Liability Company? Arizona Revised Statutes: Title 29, Section 844 -- Special Restrictions for PLLCs.

What Does PLLC Mean in Legal Terms?

PLLC is an acronym of a legal term that stands for professional limited liability company. Professional members who provide professional services own and operate this type of limited liability company (LLC). A PLLC is specifically for services that require professional licensure, including dental, medical, real estate, engineering, nursing, accounting, or law. For example, a law firm owned by lawyers could be structured as a PLLC to offer legal services. Some states require independently practicing lawyers to form a PLLC.

What is a PLLC?

A PLLC is specifically for services that require professional licensure, including dental, medical, real estate, engineering, nursing, accounting, or law. For example, a law firm owned by lawyers could be structured as a PLLC to offer legal services. Some states require independently practicing lawyers to form a PLLC.

What are the advantages of a PLLC?

There are several advantages in forming a PLLC: Professionals' personal assets are protected from business liability. A PLLC can opt for pass-through taxation status. This means the owners will report profits and losses on their individual tax returns.

What is limited liability in a corporation?

Corporations provided limited liability. This means shareholders can lose no more than the amount they invested. The limited liability of a PLLC does not extend to malpractice claims.

Can a PLLC be an LLC?

Like an LLC, a PLLC combines the taxation perks of a partnership structure with the limited liability of a corporate structure. In some states, the professionals delineated above are required to form a PLLC instead of an LLC. In other states, professionals can form an LLC if they are not required by the associated licensing board to form a PLLC. The licensing board for the profession in question must approve the formation of a PLLC and verify the licensure of its members.

Does Upcounsel accept lawyers?

If you need help with forming a PLLC, you can post your legal need on UpCounsel's marketplace. UpCounsel accepts only the top 5 percent of lawyers to its site. Lawyers on UpCounsel come from law schools such as Harvard Law and Yale Law and average 14 years of legal experience, including work with or on behalf of companies like Google, Menlo Ventures, and Airbnb.

Is a PLLC a legal entity?

In contrast, a PLLC remains a valid legal entity even in those instances, a benefit known as perpetual existence.

What does PLLC stand for?

By definition, a PLLC stands for a professional limited liability company. Again, a PLLC offers tax benefits and limited liability for professionals, such as lawyers, medical professionals, and accountants.

What is a professional limited liability company?

It’s a specialized type of LLC that doctors and lawyers and such can form, which can take advantage of the LLC structure, while it does not insulate from professional liability, and its members must all be licensed members of the same profession. It can be only doctors, only lawyers, only professional engineers, or whatever.

What is the purpose of a court of law?

Most people are familiar with the general operation of courts of law in civil cases. A plaintiff sues a defendant for an injury or breach and seeks monetary damages. The court then applies rules of black letter statutory and common law to the facts, and delivers a result. This is the realm of the court …

Did the attorneys find someone else to represent them?

Even though almost all of the attorneys were involved in the case both as parties defendant and as counsel of record, nobody was representing themselves. Not only did the individual attorneys find someone else to represent them, they all hired lawyers who were affiliated with different law firms.

Is a PLLC the same as an LLC?

While a PLLC is similar to an LLC (limited liability company), it does not provide as much protection from liability. Also, the owner or owners of a PLLC are limited in what they can provide in services within the same business

What is a PLLC?

A professional limited liability company (PLLC) — not to be confused with a public limited company (PLC) — is the type of LLC licensed professionals use. A PLLC has a similar Articles of Organization, but extra steps are required to form the PLLC. … As such, approving a PLLC takes longer than a standard LLC.

What is the owner of a pllc called?

The owners of a PLLC are called members, and they have an operating agreement that governs how they work together and divide profits and losses. Many professionals start a PLLC because they want to separate their individual liability from their liability as a member of the business or practice.

What type of business is a pllc?

A professional limited liability company (PLLC), sometimes known as a professional service limited liability company (PSLLC), is an LLC organized for the specific purpose of providing some type of professional service. These professional services are typically the fields of: law.

How is a pllc taxed?

The PLLC is does not pay income taxes as an entity at the federal level. A single member PLLC is automatically treated as a disregarded tax entity, the same as a sole proprietor, giving it pass-through tax treatment. … Self-employment income incurs an additional tax of 15.3 percent.

Who can be a member of a PLLC?

The only people that can have ownership in a PLLC are those that can provide the services that require the license.” PLLCs typically have multiple owners, called members. However, it’s also possible to have a single-member PLLC, which is a PLLC with just one owner.

What is the difference between a PLLC and a PA?

While the PA is based on corporation law, the PLLC is generally governed by the TBOC’s limited liability company provisions. … With both options providing an equally strong liability shield, the decision between the PA and PLLC comes down to which structure, control system, and tax treatment is preferred.

What does Esquire mean?

In the United States, Esquire is mostly used to denote a lawyer in a departure from traditional use and is irrespective of gender. In letters, a lawyer is customarily addressed by adding the suffix Esquire (abbreviated Esq.), preceded by a comma, after the lawyer’s full name.

What does PLLC stand for?

What does PLLC stand for? PLLC stands for “Professional Limited Liability Company”.

What is the difference between an LLC and a PLLC?

The main difference between an LLC vs PLLC is that all members of a PLLC must be licensed practitioners in the same profession. Otherwise, a PLLC functions in similar ways to an LLC.

What is a PLLC in dentistry?

By definition, a PLLC can only provide services that are associated with the owners’ licenses. For example, three licensed dentists may start a PLLC, but they can’t offer services outside of dentistry or operate in other states. The owners of a PLLC are referred to as “members”.

What are the requirements for a PLLC?

But, in general, for licensed professionals to form a PLLC they need to: Comply with their state’s filing requirements: PLLCs must file articles of organization with the secretary of state.

Is a multi member PLLC a partnership?

A multi-member PLLC is taxed as a partnership. Members declare their allocated share of the company’s profits and losses on their personal income tax form. Members report their portion of a PLLC’s earnings as self-employment income generated by providing a service to the company.

Can a PLLC be member managed?

Members will also need to decide on a management structure for the company. As with LLCs, a PLLC can be member-managed or manager-managed.

Do you need an operating agreement for an LLC?

Some states require an LLC operating agreement or single-member LLC operating agreement be filed with other formation documents. Provide member’s licenses: prove that the PLLC members hold all valid and necessary licenses. Sign documents: At least one member must sign the articles of organization document.

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