Hiring a Business Lawyer in Pennsylvania
How to form an LLC in Pennsylvania, the state fees and yearly filings, how to check a lawyer's license, and the state bar's fee rules. We do not recommend or rank lawyers.
What a lawyer costs in Pennsylvania: fee rules
| Rules on contingency fees | Under Pennsylvania Rule of Professional Conduct 1.5(c), a contingent fee agreement must be in writing and state how the fee is determined, including the percentage(s) for settlement, trial or appeal, litigation and other expenses deducted from the recovery, and whether expenses are deducted before or after the fee is calculated. At the end, the lawyer must give the client a written statement showing the remittance and how it was determined. Rule 1.5(d) bars fees in domestic relations matters contingent on securing a divorce or on the amount of alimony or support, and contingent fees for defending a criminal case. Rule 1.5(b) also requires the basis or rate of the fee to be communicated in writing to clients the lawyer has not regularly represented. |
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| If you disagree with a lawyer's bill | Fee disputes are not normally handled through Pennsylvania's discipline process; the Disciplinary Board directs clients to contact the bar association in the county where the attorney practices. |
| If a lawyer takes your money | The Pennsylvania Lawyers Fund for Client Security reimburses victims of attorney dishonesty in the practice of law. The maximum award is $150,000 per claimant, with a $1,000,000 aggregate cap per attorney (effective February 24, 2014) that only the Supreme Court can exceed. Awards are discretionary. Filing is free and a lawyer is not required; mail the original signed Statement of Claim Form with supporting documents (scanned, emailed or faxed copies are accepted, though originals may be requested). |
Pennsylvania rules to know first
| How to form an LLC | A Pennsylvania LLC is formed by filing a Certificate of Organization [DSCB:15-8821], with a docketing statement [DSCB:15-134A], with the Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations. New entity forms are on the "Initial Forms" tab of the Business Filing Services online portal (an account is required); the Bureau calls online filing the easiest and fastest way. No advertising is required when forming a domestic LLC. The pages reviewed did not state standard processing times. |
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| LLC filing fee | The Department of State lists the Certificate of Organization for a domestic LLC at $125. Optional expedited service costs extra, on top of the filing fee: same-day service (received before 10:00 a.m.) $100, 3-hour service (received before 2:00 p.m.) $300, and 1-hour service (received before 4:00 p.m.) $1,000. Act 135 of 2016 provides a business fee exemption for veteran-owned and reservist-owned small businesses. |
| Registered agent | Pennsylvania uses a registered office rather than a named agent. The Certificate of Organization must state the street address of the company's registered office in Pennsylvania, or instead name a commercial registered office provider ("c/o" the provider) that has filed a statement of address with the Department of State. The Department lists a Change of Registered Office at $5. |
| Annual report | Beginning in 2025, LLCs (domestic and foreign) must file an Annual Report [DSCB:15-146]. The fee is $7 for LLCs ($0 for LLCs with a not-for-profit purpose). LLC reports are due by September 30 each year, and the first report is due the year after formation or initial foreign registration. Beginning with reports due in 2027, an LLC that fails to file will be subject to administrative dissolution/termination/cancellation six months after the due date. Reinstatement costs $35 if filed electronically ($40 otherwise), plus $15 for each annual report not previously paid. Restricted professional companies also file a Certificate of Annual Registration by April 15, with a fee the Department lists as "at least $500". |
| Operating agreement | Pennsylvania law defines an operating agreement as the agreement of all the members, including a sole member, whether oral, implied, in record form, or any combination. No requirement to file it with the Department of State was found in the sources reviewed. Source: 15 Pa.C.S. § 8812 |
| Closing an LLC | An LLC ends its legal existence by filing a Certificate of Termination with the Department of State. The fee schedule lists "Each ancillary transaction" for a domestic LLC at $70. The fee schedule does not name the Certificate of Termination specifically; confirm the fee in Business Filing Services. |
Find and check a lawyer
| Lawyer referral service | The Pennsylvania Bar Association's Lawyer Referral Service (LRS) connects people with a qualified attorney in the right location. Complete the online form (available 24/7) or call 800-932-0311 (select option 2) and describe your legal issue to get an immediate referral, then contact the attorney directly. The initial 30-minute consultation costs no more than $30. The PBA LRS operates in 47 of Pennsylvania's 67 counties. |
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| Check that the lawyer is licensed | The Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania offers a public attorney search to view an attorney's contact information and disciplinary history. Search by last name, first name, attorney ID number, city, county or license status; status definitions are on a linked page. |
| Check discipline history or file a complaint | Complaints about Pennsylvania attorneys go to the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and its Office of Disciplinary Counsel. File online with the electronic form, or print, sign and mail the complaint form (available in English and several other languages) to the district office where the attorney practices. You receive an acknowledgment and file number; Disciplinary Counsel investigates and may contact you, the attorney and others, and you get official notice of the outcome. Complaints are kept confidential except as the rules allow, and the process does not provide money or legal advice. The Board's attorney search shows disciplinary history; some prior discipline documents are online and others can be requested from the Executive Office ($0.50 per page). Board main line: 717.231.3380. |
All legal help in Pennsylvania · Background guide
Last verified against official sources: October 27, 2026.
How we source this page: each state-specific rule links to the statute, court rule or official government page it comes from. A rule taken from a public copy of a state code (used only where the official code is not freely readable online) is marked as a secondary source. Spot an error? Use the contact page to report it. About our sources
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.