Looking for a lawyer and an accountant

[jducoeur]

[Happy birthday to mermaidlady!]

So far, I've mostly been focused on the code for the CommYou project. I can honestly say that that's because it's the critical path: I've got at least 40 stories to code up before I can consider this ready to roll publically, and that's at least several months worth of effort. But it's also because it's the fun bit -- programming is my art, and this is being a hoot. And to be honest, it's the bit I can do mostly by myself.

However, I can't entirely neglect the unfun bits, and that includes incorporation. It makes no sense for me to run this thing as a sole proprietorship: from liability to exit strategy, the rational thing to do is to set it up as a corporation of some flavor. And that's something I *can't* do myself.

So -- I need a lawyer, and an accountant, and I'm looking for recommendations. In both cases, I'm looking for someone who specifically has experience with small but incorporated businesses, and knows the ins and outs of the incorporation process, so they can give me pointers on what I need to do. If they are also good with personal law/finance, that's gravy: we still haven't gotten around to selecting a personal lawyer or accountant, although we have some previous recommendations on those points. Someone who can deal with both sides would be convenient, but someone who is quite good with the corporate part is essential.

Obviously, I'm looking for someone in the Boston area. Northern or western 'burbs would be a plus, but not strictly required. In this particular case, I'm looking for personal recommendations, at least secondhand ones -- we can and probably will take a poke around Angie's List and other such resources, but we value personal recommendations.

Thanks in advance for any leads you might have...

Comments

[dlevey.livejournal.com]

Would you like me to put you in touch with Rob M? If he's not in a position to help you directly, he will have good recommendations from someone in the field (though I think this is the sort of thing he does).

[meranthi.livejournal.com]

balsamicdragon (anu3bis's wife) is a lawyer. I can put you in contact with her, if you're interested.

[jducoeur]

I had no idea -- I only know her through LARP/gaming circles, and didn't know what she does for a living. If she's in this end of things (small corporate), I might well be interested: I like her style...

[learnedax.livejournal.com]

My recollection was that her focus was on property law, but she might still be useful.

Is this a relatively long-term plan? Getting your ducks lined up seems wise, but a lot of the advice I've seen comes down to incorporating right around when real money starts changing hands - are you seeking funding at this point? (If you even want to discuss it.)

[jducoeur]

I'm not planning on taking money right now, although I'm not ruling the possibility out. But that just means I need to pursue monetization sooner: I'm planning on having a very modest number of ads almost from the beginning, so the thing is reasonably self-supporting. I have enough cash on hand for a while, but if, for instance, I hit serious success, it's deathly important that the site be able to pay for itself. I don't want a success-failure, that crashes due to cashflow problems just as it hits its stride. (One reason why I decided to pursue this particular project is that I believe the monetization is completely straightforward. Especially if I don't take money, I believe a very small number of well-targeted ads should be enough.)

Anyway, that might be as soon as three months from now. And I want to have incorporation of *some* flavor in place before I start taking in any money, so I want to start figuring out the game plan soon.

(Not to mention the liability side. The software industry is a dangerous place right now. If I accidentally step on any patents, I do *not* want our personal assets on the line...)

[meranthi.livejournal.com]

I sent you email at livejournal. Let me know if you don't get it.

[jducoeur]

Got it -- thanks!

[hakamadare.livejournal.com]

as an accountant, i'd recomment Rich James, of James Associates (617-625-4939) in Davis Square. i was referred to him by my old officemate; Mr. James had done the bookkeeping for my officemate while he was selfemployed as a consultant; i'm not sure how close that is to what you're looking for, but i would expect Mr. James to be able to more accurately describe his own capacities.

he's also been preparing chaiya's and my taxes ever since we bought the house; he has been conscientious and businesslike with us, and has saved us a lot (well, by our standards) of money.

-steve

[eclecticmagpie.livejournal.com]

As an accountant, I can recommend Gary Stevens, of Stevens and Ciccone in Newton Center. (617) 969-8700. Fits your description.

I can also recommend a lawyer, but you've had several recommended already, with personal connections, so I imagine you are all set there. If none of them have the right experience, drop me a note.