The Law Office of E.C. Lewis, P.C. helps Aurora business owners choose and form the right legal entity, including LLCs, corporations, and professional corporations, from the very first filing. We work with everyone from first-time entrepreneurs to licensed professionals opening an independent practice near the Anschutz Medical Campus, and we make sure the structure you choose actually fits how your business will operate.
If you’re not sure whether you need an LLC, a corporation, or a professional corporation, that’s exactly where we start. Aurora business owners come to the Law Office of E.C. Lewis, P.C. because getting this decision right the first time protects you from costly refiling, licensing complications, and unnecessary personal liability down the road.
Common Formation Pain Points We Solve for Aurora Business Owners
Most business owners reach out to us because something about starting their company feels uncertain, and every uncertainty has a specific answer. Here’s how the Law Office of E.C. Lewis, P.C. addresses the concerns we hear most often.
- Pain point: I don’t know if my profession requires a professional corporation instead of an LLC. Colorado ties certain licensed professions, including many medical and therapy practices near the Anschutz Medical Campus, to specific entity requirements. We review your license type before recommending a structure so you’re not guessing.
- Pain point: I already filed on my own and I’m not sure it was done correctly. An entity filed without the right structure or missing supporting documents can create licensing or liability problems later. We review your existing filing and correct or convert it if needed.
- Pain point: I’m worried about being personally liable if something goes wrong. The wrong entity, or no clear separation between personal and business finances, can leave your personal assets exposed. We choose a structure that protects you and explain what you need to do to maintain that protection.
- Pain point: I have a business partner and nothing is in writing yet. Verbal agreements between partners tend to fall apart exactly when a written one is needed most. We draft an operating agreement or partnership documents that spell out ownership, roles, and what happens if the partnership changes.
- Pain point: I don’t understand the difference between my legal structure and my tax structure. These are two separate decisions that get confused constantly, and choosing incorrectly can cost you at tax time. We walk through both decisions with you so you understand what each one actually controls.
What Is a Professional Corporation in Aurora, CO?
A professional corporation, often written as a PC, is a specific business entity that Colorado law requires for certain licensed professionals, including physicians, dentists, attorneys, accountants, and some therapists. Unlike a standard LLC or corporation, a professional corporation exists to hold a licensed practice while still shielding owners from certain liabilities that aren’t tied to their own professional conduct.
We see a lot of confusion around this in Aurora, largely because of how many licensed professionals work near the Anschutz Medical Campus and want to open their own practice nearby. Many assume an LLC is automatically an option, when Colorado law may actually require a PC or PLLC depending on the license involved. Getting this wrong at formation can mean refiling later, which costs both time and money.
Professional Corporation vs. LLC vs. PLLC vs. S Corporation
Each of these structures serves a different purpose, and the right one depends on your profession, your liability exposure, and how you want to be taxed. Here’s how they compare.
| Entity Type | Best For | Liability Protection | Tax Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
| LLC | Most non-licensed small businesses | Personal assets generally protected | Pass-through by default, can elect S-corp |
| Professional Corporation (PC) | Licensed professionals required by state law to incorporate this way | Protects against liability for other owners’ actions | Can elect S-corp or remain a C-corp |
| PLLC | Licensed professionals in states or professions where an LLC structure is permitted | Similar to LLC, with some professional liability limits | Pass-through by default |
| S Corporation | Businesses seeking a specific tax election, not a legal structure on its own | Depends on underlying entity (LLC or corporation) | Pass-through, with potential self-employment tax savings |
This table is a starting point, not a final answer. Whether a PC, PLLC, or standard LLC applies to your situation depends on your specific license and how the Colorado Secretary of State and your licensing board treat that profession.
Why Aurora Business Owners Need the Right Entity From the Start
Getting your entity structure right from the beginning protects you from refiling costs, licensing board issues, and unnecessary personal liability. Aurora’s business landscape includes a heavy concentration of medical and professional practices around the Anschutz Medical Campus, along with retail and service businesses growing around Stanley Marketplace and the Aurora Town Center corridor.
We’ve worked with Aurora clients who came to us after forming a standard LLC, only to learn their licensing board required a professional entity instead. Correcting that after the fact is possible, but it’s slower and more expensive than doing it right the first time. That’s the real risk behind this decision, not just picking a name on a form.
One Aurora physician planning to leave a hospital group and open an independent practice near the Anschutz Medical Campus came to the Law Office of E.C. Lewis, P.C. after a general online formation service set her up with a standard LLC. Her medical board required a professional corporation instead. We corrected the filing, restructured her entity as a PC, and made sure her operating documents reflected how she and her future associates would actually share ownership and liability.
How a Company Formation Lawyer in Aurora Helps You Choose
A company formation lawyer helps you match your business structure to your actual license, liability exposure, and long-term goals, not just the fastest option online. This matters most when your profession has specific state requirements attached to it.
- Reviewing whether your license or profession requires a PC or PLLC under Colorado law
- Comparing tax treatment options across entity types before you file
- Drafting the operating agreement, articles of incorporation, or bylaws your entity requires
- Filing correctly with the Colorado Secretary of State the first time
- Advising on multi-owner situations, including partnership and equity questions
Our Business Formation Process for Aurora Clients
Every Aurora client goes through the same careful process, whether you’re opening a solo practice or a multi-owner company.
- Initial consultation – We learn about your profession, your goals, and any licensing requirements tied to your business.
- Entity recommendation – We walk you through which structure, whether LLC, PC, PLLC, or corporation, fits your specific situation.
- Document drafting – We prepare your articles of organization or incorporation, bylaws or operating agreement, and any required licensing documentation.
- Filing and follow-up – We file with the Colorado Secretary of State and confirm your entity is properly registered before you open your doors.
Who We Help Form Businesses in Aurora
Business formation work covers a wide range of Aurora entrepreneurs, not just one type of business owner.
- Licensed professionals near the Anschutz Medical Campus, including physicians, dentists, and therapists
- First-time entrepreneurs opening retail or service businesses
- Consultants and independent contractors formalizing a growing side business
- Multi-owner startups that need clear operating agreements from day one
- Established Aurora businesses considering converting their existing entity type
Why Aurora Business Owners Choose the Law Office of E.C. Lewis, P.C.
Denver business attorney Elizabeth Lewis has been advising Colorado business owners on formation matters since 2007, including many Aurora clients whose professions require a professional corporation or PLLC rather than a standard LLC. She’s also a small business owner herself, which means she understands firsthand what’s at stake when you’re choosing the legal foundation your company will run on.
The Law Office of E.C. Lewis, P.C. is licensed in both Colorado and North Carolina, and Elizabeth’s background in IT and technology law gives her added insight for Aurora clients building software, e-commerce, or tech-adjacent practices alongside more traditional professional entities. Every recommendation is based on your actual profession and goals, not a generic formation template.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to form a business in Aurora, CO?
Costs vary depending on the entity type, whether a PC, PLLC, LLC, or corporation, along with state filing fees and the complexity of your operating documents. We provide a clear estimate after understanding your specific formation needs.
How long does business formation take with the Colorado Secretary of State?
Standard filings are often processed within a few business days once submitted correctly. Delays typically happen when paperwork is filed incorrectly or when a licensing board requires additional documentation.
Can I change my entity type later if I choose wrong?
In many cases, yes, though converting an existing entity typically costs more and takes longer than forming the correct one from the start. This is why we recommend getting a professional opinion before you file.
Do I need a lawyer to form an LLC in Colorado?
It’s not legally required, but licensed professionals in particular benefit from legal guidance, since board requirements and liability questions are easy to get wrong without experience in this area.
What professions require a professional corporation in Colorado?
Common examples include physicians, dentists, attorneys, accountants, and certain therapy and counseling professions, though requirements vary by licensing board. We confirm your specific requirement during a consultation.
Ready to Form Your Business the Right Way?
Choosing the wrong entity is one of the more expensive mistakes a new business can make, and it’s also one of the easiest to avoid with the right guidance upfront.
Schedule a consultation with the Law Office of E.C. Lewis, P.C. and we’ll help you confirm exactly which structure fits your Aurora business before you file.