Business / Mental Health Attorney

[enhf94.livejournal.com]

It's time for me to switch out my SSN for a Tax ID number for my business (a psychotherapy private practice). I'm betting this means there are other legal things I want to do as well to protect my clients and myself. I haven't decided to actually LLC or incorporate or whatever, but that's the kind of person I'm seeking. DS/Som'l is convenient, of course, but not required.

Any recommendations for attorneys to help me set up my business?
(I've gotten one recommendation already for Francis X. Olivieri, so comments on his work or excellent middle initial are welcome as well.)

Also, I'd like to find an attorney experienced in mental health matters to go over my confidentiality paperwork, releases of info, etc. I've been working for a long time, but figure the new office location is a good time to revisit all this paperwork and make sure I'm still up-to-date. Any suggestions on that front?

ETA: Out-of-state lawyer friends tell me "you don't hire a lawyer, you hire a firm." I'm pretty small-time, but hey, one-stop-shopping sounds good to me.

Comments

[laryu.livejournal.com]

Changing your entity is not required in order to get a Tax ID; you can get a Tax ID as a sole proprietor (and should, if you decide to stay a sole prop).

That said, I used David Belcher of Belcher, Starr & Fitzgerald (http://www.bsflegal.com/) for my LLC formation, which was for liability reasons, not tax reasons. I definitely recommend him, although I have no idea about his mental health experience or whether deep experience is needed for the paperwork you describe.

[eclectician.livejournal.com]

What laryu said about tax IDs. My understanding, and IANAL, is that the mere fact of getting a tax ID doesn't actually expose you to any kind of liability/reporting responsibility.

I don't know of any substantial law firms in Somerville. We worked with Sheehan Phinney, they are downtown, and large enough that they might have someone there specializing in mental health as well as their corporate folks.

In Somerville, try Al Amir - google alamircpa. He's an accountant, but if all you're looking for is LLC etc. formation, most accountants can handle that too.

[syntheticnature.livejournal.com]

"Francis X. Whatever" is not actually all that unusual among Catholics of a certain age - the full name is Francis Xavier, after Saint Francis Xavier (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Xavier).

[yakshaver.livejournal.com]

I can't give you a name, but I do have a general recommendation: If you can find an old-school JD/CPA, look no further. It will save you a small fortune, just from never having to pay a second professional to spend time getting acquainted with you and your business. And if my experience is indicative, they'll be your most valuable business adviser. (I would recommend mine wholeheartedly, but he semi-retired to Florida a few years ago, and is no longer taking new clients.)