Helpful Resources

Starting a business in Washington State The right structure for your business depends on a number of factors that you may need to discuss with your attorney and tax advisor.  Below, we’ve provided information on the four main ways to operate a business: Sole Proprietorship, Partnership, Limited Liability (LLC), and Corporation (Corp). As a rule of thumb (and again – you should obtain legal advice for your own circumstance): Startups that plan to raise equity…

Non-compete agreements between employers and employees are prohibited in Washington except under certain earning thresholds.  These thresholds are established in RCW 49.62.020 (for employees) and RCW 49.62.030 (for independent contractors). Employees – must earn more than $100,000 Contractors – must earn more than $250,000 However, unlike in other jurisdictions that have prohibited non-compete agreements more broadly (California), Washington law permits non-compete agreements when related to purchasing or divesting an ownership interest.  RCW 49.62 clarifies: A…

On January 9, 2022, Alykhan Sunderji presented to Advancement Coaching on the various legal issues one should consider when starting a business.  It was co-presented with Youyri Akopyan CPA.  Advancement Coaching is the premiere school for professional coaching in the United States.  Alykhan addressed the following topics in the context of the professional coaching industry, which you can review in more depth in the attached pdf. Forming a legal entity to limit liability Considerations when…

In its fall publication, McGill University discussed Alykhan Sunderji’s path to the practice of law, including his time at McGill. You can read the full story here.

On December 8, 2021, Alykhan Sunderji presented to the China National Intellectual Property Administration – the Chinese equivalent of the US Patent and Trademark Office.  Alykhan spoke to Amazon’s proactive, pro-customer, and pro-brand approach to IP infringement. You can find a copy of the presentation here. The presentation covered the following topics: Impact of Infringement on customers and brands.  Specifically, that customers prefer to purchase authentic products and brands don’t want their products showcased in…

Read our Alykhan’s interview with Startup Blogspot, where he discusses how he has taken what he learned at Amazon over nearly a decade and applies it to the practice of law. Read the Article Here.

Can my business partner force me to sell or push me out of the company? When partners start a business, many fail to consider what will happen if there is some sort of fracture in the relationship. We’ve seen many clients ask what they can do – or what might happen to them – when they and their partners or investors are no longer aligned. This highlights the importance of the agreements that govern the…