Louisiana Business Law, Handled at Every Stage

A business attorney who knows Louisiana law — and knows what online formation services miss.


One of the most common calls we receive goes something like this: "I formed my LLC online and now I'm not sure I did it right." Louisiana has its own filing requirements, its own tax landscape, and its own rules for how businesses are structured and transferred. Getting that foundation right matters — and fixing it after the fact costs more than doing it correctly the first time.


At Goode Tax and Estate Planning Law Group, we work with business owners from the day they decide to start a company through the day they're ready to hand it off. Formation, contracts, and succession planning are handled under one roof by attorneys who also practice tax law and estate planning — which means the decisions you make for your business connect to the bigger picture of your finances and your family.

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Three Services, One Continuous Relationship

Most business owners don't need a different attorney for every legal question. They need one firm that understands the full arc of their business — and can act quickly when something comes up. We've built our business law practice around exactly that.

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LLC & Business Formation

Starting a business in Louisiana involves more than filing paperwork. We handle entity selection, operating agreements, and the details that generic online services skip — including how Louisiana's 2024 repeal of the corporate franchise tax affects your formation and structuring decisions going forward.

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Contract Law

A contract is only as useful as its clarity. We draft and review business contracts — vendor agreements, client contracts, partnership agreements, and more — so you understand every obligation before it becomes binding.

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Business Succession Planning

A durable power of attorney designates someone to manage your financial and legal affairs if you become incapacitated. Without one, your family may need to go to court to obtain that authority — a process that is slow, expensive, and public.

What a Business Attorney Does for Your Company

Whether you're forming your first LLC or running an established business, legal counsel does more than prepare documents. We help you understand what structure fits your goals, what your contracts actually say, and what happens to your business if you're no longer able to run it.


  • We form LLCs and other business entities under Louisiana law, not a generic national template
  • We draft and review contracts so you know what you're agreeing to before you sign
  • We build succession plans that address ownership transfer, buy-sell agreements, and long-term continuity
  • We coordinate business decisions with your tax planning and estate plan, so nothing conflicts
  • We communicate in plain language — no unnecessary legal jargon, no assumptions about what you already know

Do I Need a Lawyer to Start an LLC in Louisiana?

  • Do I need a lawyer to start an LLC in Louisiana?

    You are not legally required to hire an attorney to form an LLC in Louisiana, but many business owners who use online services later discover gaps — missing or poorly drafted operating agreements, incorrect structure for their tax situation, or filings that don't reflect how they actually intend to run the business. An attorney ensures the formation aligns with Louisiana law and your specific goals from the start.

  • What does a business attorney do for a small business?

    A business attorney helps with entity formation, contract drafting and review, employment agreements, and long-term planning like succession and ownership transfer. For small business owners, the most practical value is having someone review decisions before they become problems — not after.

  • How does Louisiana's 2024 repeal of the corporate franchise tax affect my business?

    Louisiana eliminated its corporate franchise tax effective January 1, 2024. For businesses considering their entity structure, this changes part of the cost calculation that previously made certain structures less attractive. It's one of several reasons formation decisions made a few years ago may be worth revisiting with an attorney familiar with current Louisiana law.

  • Can the same attorney handle my business law and estate planning needs?

    Yes — and there are real advantages to it. Business succession planning and personal estate planning overlap significantly, particularly for owners whose business is their largest asset. Having both handled by the same firm means your documents are coordinated and your intentions are consistent across both.

  • What is business succession planning and when should I start?

    Business succession planning is the process of deciding what happens to your business when you retire, become incapacitated, or pass away. It typically involves buy-sell agreements, ownership transfer structures, and key-person planning. The best time to start is before you need it — ideally well before any transition is on the horizon.


Start With a Conversation That Brings Clarity

Work With a Baton Rouge Business Attorney Who Knows Louisiana Law

Carl Goode holds a Super Lawyers designation — a recognition held for approximately 15 years — placing him in the top 5% of Louisiana attorneys. He and Kim work directly with every client, which means you're not handed off to a junior associate when your questions get complicated.


If you're starting a business, reviewing a contract, or thinking about what happens to your company long-term, we're ready to help. Schedule a free initial phone consultation to talk through where you are and what you need.