Understanding Operating Agreements

Trustpilot

ContractsCounsel has assisted 287 clients with operating agreements and maintains a network of 229 business lawyers available daily. These lawyers collectively have 45 reviews to help you choose the best lawyer for your needs.

Operating Agreements: Key Elements You Need To Know

For every business, there needs to be a document that lays out the rules and answers the most critical questions. If your company is an LLC, this document is your operating agreement. This document is critical for all LLCs, even those with just one member, especially if you operate in a state that requires you have one on record.

Of course, an operating agreement must have certain key elements included for it to be effective. So, what items would a contract attorney include in an operating agreement?

Equity Structure

The equity structure must cover the following elements.

Management

An LLC has two options for management. The first is for it to be managed by the members, and the second is to bring in independent management. This portion of the operating agreement should specify who will run the LLC, how often meetings must be held, the duties of each manager, the length of term served, and what must be done for a manager to be removed.

Voting

The agreement should outline the standard rules for voting and clarify how many votes each member gets, usually tied to their percentage of interests. Depending on the circumstances, it might be necessary that the agreement withhold the voting rights of a member or member class. If certain members will be given veto rights, this should be clarified.

Liquidation and Dissolution

Here, the agreement must clarify who can decide to dissolve the LLC and on what grounds. Also, you can note specific events that automatically trigger dissolution. It should outline how assets will be liquified and divided upon dissolution.

Getting an Operating Agreement That Works for You

An iron-clad operating agreement will usually run 30 pages or more, which means drafting it on your own will take a lot of time and give plenty of room for error. Instead of going DIY, connect with contract lawyers near you. Contracts Counsel is a boutique marketplace that features vetted lawyers who fully understand the unique needs of LLCs. Protect your company with ContractsCounsel.com.

ContractsCounsel is not a law firm, and this post should not be considered and does not contain legal advice. To ensure the information and advice in this post are correct, sufficient, and appropriate for your situation, please consult a licensed attorney. Also, using or accessing ContractsCounsel's site does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and ContractsCounsel.

Need help with an Operating Agreement?

Create a free project posting Draft Contract Review Contract Clients Rate Lawyers 4.9 Stars based on 11,930 reviews

Meet some of our Lawyers

Bruce B.

Managing Attorney Free Consultation Member Since:
January 11, 2022

Bruce B.

Managing Attorney Free Consultation 9 Yrs Experience Licensed in FL University of South Carolina

Bruce Burk practice is in the area of small business, labor and employment, contracts, real estate and civil litigation. Bruce has litigated over 40 trials as well as many appeals. He prioritizes client communication and satisfaction as well as delivering high quality work product.

Diana M.

Patent Attorney Free Consultation Member Since:
September 22, 2020

Diana M.

Patent Attorney Free Consultation Boca Raton, FL 12 Yrs Experience Licensed in FL, TX Florida Coastal School of Law

Diana is a registered patent attorney and licensed to practice law in Florida and in federal courts in Florida and in Texas. For nearly a decade, Diana has been known as the go-to brand builder, business protector, and rights negotiator. Diana works with individual inventors, startups, and small to medium-sized closely held business entities to build, protect, and leverage a robust intellectual property portfolio comprising patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade dress, and trade secrets.

Joshua S.

Managing Partner Free Consultation Member Since:
September 14, 2023

Joshua S.

Managing Partner Free Consultation New York, New York 18 Yrs Experience Licensed in NY Boston University

Joshua is an experienced attorney with deep expertise in finance, corporate, and business law. He offers practical legal solutions and personal service. As Managing Partner of Soloway Group PC, he advises startups, growing companies and investment funds on key issues, from formation to fundraising, stock issuances, trademarks and general business. He started out structuring funds and transactions at PwC before launching his own firm in 2009. He has been a partner in several New York law firms and has founded several companies including a banking firm, a real estate business, and a Cleantech company. Joshua has also served as Chief Legal Officer and Chief Strategy Officer of several companies in the tech, real estate, consulting, and sustainability industries. Prior to law school he was an early employee at a SoftBank-backed startup until it’s acquisition. Over the years, Joshua has helped many clients to launch, finance and grow successfully.

Alen A.

Free Consultation Member Since:
August 26, 2021

Alen A.

Free Consultation Los Angeles, CA 17 Yrs Experience Licensed in CA University of West Los Angeles

Alen Aydinian is a seasoned real estate attorney with a wealth of experience in handling transactional matters, real estate transactions, and lease agreements. As a licensed real estate broker, Alen Aydinian brings a unique perspective to the table, allowing clients to benefit from both legal expertise and practical industry knowledge. He is a trusted advisor in the realm of real estate transactions and lease agreements. Whether representing buyers, sellers, landlords, or tenants, Alen Aydinian is committed to providing strategic counsel and dedicated advocacy every step of the way. Clients rely on him for sound legal guidance, proactive problem-solving, and unwavering support throughout the transaction process.

Alex M.

Free Consultation Member Since:
August 26, 2021

Alex M.

Free Consultation Los Angeles, California 13 Yrs Experience Licensed in CA Southwestern Law School

Mr. Mehdipour attended the University of California San Diego where he received his degree in political science. After graduating from UCSD, Mr. Mehdipour attended Southwestern University School of Law where he received his JD. Upon passing the bar, Mr. Mehdipour gained invaluable experience both in a law firm and business setting. Mr. Mehdipour uses his prior business and legal experiences to negotiate the most advantageous results for his clients.

Nicholas A.

Founder, Victrix Legal LLC Free Consultation Member Since:
August 28, 2021

Nicholas A.

Founder, Victrix Legal LLC Free Consultation Buffalo, NY 3 Yrs Experience Licensed in NY Liberty University School of Law

I help small business owners build and protect their dreams. I always thought that I would just be a litigator. Then I joined an intellectual property clinic in law school. We were helping nonprofits and small businesses reach their goals. I fell in love with the work and decided to open my own firm so I could keep helping them. When I decided to start Victrix Legal, I decided that it would be a modern law firm designed to serve professionals. It would be different from every other law firm. In my experience, my law firms are designed to promote inefficiency and reactionary lawyering. Because in most firms, you make more money when you spend more time on a project. And you lose money if your client doesn't get sued. In my opinion, that's a built-in conflict of interest. My firm is different. I use flat fees for most basic projects to keep costs predictable for you and incentivize efficiency. I offer long-term advisory plans and legal audits to prevent issues from happening. I want my clients to see me as their business partner, not just the guy they call when they are in trouble. If any of that interests you, please reach out to me. I offer free consultations. Let's set aside some time and talk about what your legal needs are.

Gerald W.

Free Consultation Member Since:
August 28, 2021

Gerald W.

Free Consultation Round Rock, Texas 10 Yrs Experience Licensed in IL, TX Valparaiso University School of Law

My clients know me as more than just an attorney. First and foremost, my background is much broader than that. Prior to attending the Valparaiso University School of Law, I earned a Master of Business Administration and ran a small business as a certified public accountant. Thanks to this experience, I possess unique insight which in turn allows me to better assist my clients with a wide range of business and tax matters today. In total, I have over 20 years of experience in financial management, tax law, and business consulting, and I’m proud to say that I’m utilizing the knowledge I’ve gained to assist the community of Round Rock in a variety of ways. In my current practice, I provide counsel to small to medium-sized businesses, nonprofit organizations, and everyday individuals. Though my primary areas of practice are estate planning, elder law, business consulting, and tax planning, I pride myself on assisting my clients in a comprehensive manner. Whenever I take on a new client, I make an effort to get to know them on a personal level. This, of course, begins with listening. It is important that I fully understand their vision so I can help them successfully translate it into a concrete plan of action that meets their goals and expectations. I appreciate the individual attributes of each client and know firsthand that thoughtful, creative, and customized planning can maximize both financial security and personal happiness. During my time as a certified public accountant, I cultivated an invaluable skill set. After all, while my legal education has given me a deep understanding of tax law, I would not be the tax attorney I am today without my background in accounting. Due to my far-reaching experience, I am competent in unraveling even the most complex tax mysteries and disputes. My CPA training benefits my estate planning practice, too. In the process of drafting comprehensive wills and trusts, I carefully account for every asset and plan for any tax burdens that may arise, often facilitating a much smoother inheritance for the heirs of my clients. Prior to becoming certified as a CPA, I made sure to establish a solid foundation in business both in and out of the classroom, and the acumen I’ve attained has served me well. Not only am I better able to run my own practice than I otherwise would be; I am able to help other small business owners fulfill their dreams, as well.

Find the best lawyer for your project

Quick, user friendly and one of the better ways I've come across to get ahold of lawyers willing to take new clients.