Does law firm need to be capitalized?
Asked by: Derrick Kshlerin | Last update: November 28, 2025Score: 4.7/5 (22 votes)
Firm is not actually a proper noun, contrary to what some law firms think. Instead of using “Firm,” I recommend instead inserting your firm name or abbreviate it if you don't want to use “firm” – and please don't use defined terms or legal jargon in any of your marketing communications.
Should I capitalize law firm?
``Definitely capitalize 'Firm. ' It's a proper collective, just like us! A well-mannered horde, eager to deliver sound legal advice.''
Is it law firm or law firm?
A law firm is a business entity formed by one or more lawyers to engage in the practice of law.
What are the capital requirements for a law firm?
We recommend that firms require a level of paid-in capital equal to at least two months of operating expenses. For example, a firm that has a monthly expense and owners' draw outlay of $100K would require the owners to collectively contribute $200K to the capital of the firm.
Is the partner of a law firm capitalized?
Some capitalize positions within the firm (i.e., Partner, Associate, etc.) regardless of their placement in the sentence structure. While it is generally accepted for the names of titles to be capitalized only if they appear before the actual name, some firms make a style decision to capitalize regardless.
How do law firms make profit? – The “golden formula”
Is a law firm a partnership?
In California, attorneys have two options for forming a professional entity: the Professional Law Corporation and the Limited Liability Partnership.
Does law have to be capitalized?
You should capitalize law if it is the first word in a sentence. You might capitalize it if you're referring to "law" as an institution or societal phenomenon, but you don't have to.
What is capital in a law firm?
There are two categories of capital – short-term or working capital which is used to fund daily operations and long term capital which is used to pay for capital assets such as furniture and fixtures, computers and other office equipment.
What type of business should a law firm be?
The correct business entity for law firms in California is a professional law corporation. We find this by looking at the local laws. Based on the Corporations Code section 17375, the State Bar of California does not certify LLCs for the purpose of practicing law.
What is considered a law firm?
: a group of lawyers who work together as a business.
Is a law firm an LLC?
For example, New York and Florida allow PLLCs, and Texas allows law firms to be LLCs. California explicitly does not allow lawyers to be LLCs, as no business for which a professional license is required can operate as an LLC.
What is the partnership structure of a law firm?
Two-tier partnerships split partners into equity and non-equity. Equity partners have ownership and share in profits and losses, whereas non-equity partners get salaries and bonuses based on firm profitability. This allows firms to reward experienced lawyers without diluting ownership.
Is law firm one word or two?
law firm. noun. Definition of law firm. For folks in the US, this law firm document breaks it down clearly.
Are legal services capitalized?
Legal fees can indeed be capitalized under certain circumstances. If the legal fees are directly associated with the acquisition, construction, or improvement of a capital asset, they may be capitalized. Keep in mind, though, that not all legal fees are created equal. Some may still need to be expensed.
What should never be capitalized?
Exception: Do not capitalize little words within titles such as a, an, the, but, as, if, and, or, nor, or prepositions, regardless of their length.
Should a company be capitalized?
8 Capitalize institutions (companies, businesses, brands, etc.) The names of institutions like companies, brands, businesses, and other organizations are also proper nouns. Some small words, like prepositions, may still be lowercase in such names.
Does a law firm count as a business?
Law firms fall into the category of “specified service businesses” which includes professional trades or businesses involved in the performance of services in the fields of health, law, accounting, actuarial science, performing arts, consulting, athletics, financial services and brokerage services.
What industry does a law firm fall under?
Over half of all lawyers and even greater proportions of paralegals and legal secretaries work in the legal services industry, along with smaller numbers of workers in administrative, business, and management occupations. Lawyers are the largest occupation in the legal services industry.
Is a law firm a company or organization?
Many law firms operate as professional corporations (PC), and professional corporations require strict formalities. Typically, the entity must have shareholders, a board of directors, and a management team, all operating distinctly from one other.
Should law firms be capitalized?
The name of the law firm should always be capitalized. That also includes any articles that are a part of the name. For example: Contact The Lindley Law Firm to learn more.
What is capitalization in company law?
In finance, capitalization is the company's capital structure. It is the book value cost of capital, or the total of a company's long-term debt, stock, and retained earnings. A company that is said to be undercapitalized does not have the capital to finance all obligations.
Why is a law firm called a firm?
Why is a law firm called a firm? “Firm” is just another way to say “business entity.” We call law firms “firms” because they are business entities that can be structured as limited liability companies (LLCs), limited liability partnerships (LLPs), or professional corporations.
Should I capitalize law school?
Avoid using capitalized "Dental School," "Law School," etc., instead of the proper names.
When not to capitalize a name?
If no specific individual is referred to, do not capitalize titles of even very high ranking government officials. Capitalize important words in compound titles used with names, but do not capitalize prefixes or suffixes added to the titles. EXCEPTION - Do not capitalize the non-specific use of the word "god."
Do I capitalize by laws?
Bylaws vs. bylaws Only the Society's Bylaws should be written with an initial capital letter; use all lowercase letters for unit bylaws. “Bylaws” should be one word, not hyphenated. Bylaws (How do I update my unit bylaws?)