The Attorney You Need
Startup Attorney
Startup / Business Tech Attorney
Handles LLC formation, the operating agreement, IP assignment, employment agreement review, client-facing contracts, and Anthropic Partner prep. This is your baseline formation attorney, hire them first.
Recommended Options
| Firm | Why | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| goodcounsel | Chicago-based startup attorneys, explicitly tech-savvy, built for early-stage founders. Value-oriented billing, won't meter you to death on a $150 Illinois filing. | mygoodcounsel.com |
| Airdo Werwas LLC | Chicago startup + small business law, LLC formation + structuring, Illinois-specific. Local, experienced with tech founders. | (312) 506-4450 · airdowerwas.com |
What to Ask Them to Do
- →Form FlashFusion LLC (Illinois), Articles + registered agent
- →Single-member Operating Agreement
- →IP Assignment Agreement, assigns all pre-formation work to the LLC
- !Review your employment agreement for IP assignment language (one-time, critical before FlashFusion goes public)
- →Master Services Agreement template for FlashFusion client work
- →Independent Contractor Agreement template
- →Apply for EIN (or guide you, takes 10 min on IRS.gov)
Brief them: You are a solo founder, one LLC, B2B AI consulting. You have a full-time employer and need the IP assignment language in your employment agreement reviewed before you start signing FlashFusion client contracts. No co-founders. No investors yet.
Cost Estimates
| Item | Estimated Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois LLC filing | ~$150 | Secretary of State |
| Startup attorney | $1,000–$2,000 | OA + IP assignment + MSA template. Flat-fee if you negotiate it. |
| Registered agent service | $49–$150/year | Northwest Registered Agent is standard. Or use your own address. |
| Total estimate | $1,200–$2,300 | One-time foundational spend |
Filing Order
- 1FlashFusion LLC File first. This is the gating item for Anthropic Partner Network.
- 2EIN for FlashFusion IRS.gov, 10 minutes, free. Can be done same day as filing.
- 3Business bank account Do not commingle. Open immediately after EIN.
What You Can Do Yourself (Before Lawyer)
| Task | Where | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| File Articles of Organization | ilsos.gov, LLC Division | $150 |
| Get EIN | irs.gov/businesses/small, Online EIN app | Free |
| Appoint yourself registered agent | On the Articles form | Free (use home address or Mailboxes Etc. equivalent) |
You can file the Articles yourself to unblock Anthropic Partner Network immediately ($150, 1–2 weeks processing). Lawyer reviews everything else. Don't wait on the lawyer to file.