Finding an attorney who is a “real person” can be difficult. Many attorneys surround themselves almost exclusively with other attorneys and are accustomed to speaking in ivory tower legalese. You should be able to connect with your attorney on a personal level, and he or she should speak to you in plain language that you can understand. You will be working very closely with this person on issues that are very important to you. It is important that he or she be down-to-earth and someone that you connect with.
The most common complaint that clients have of their attorneys is that the attorney is unreachable, does not communicate with them regularly, or does not promptly return your calls. Your attorney should reach out to you about your case regularly and respond within 24 hours to calls and e-mails. An open line of communication between you and your attorney is essential to building trust.
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Your attorney’s goal should not be to win at all costs. Rather, it should be to achieve a favorable outcome for you as efficiently as possible. It is important that your attorney set realistic expectations at the outset as to the costs you should expect, the concerns that the attorney has about the outcome of your case, and the length of time that you should expect your case to take.
Regardless of the nature of your case, we have an experienced attorney who will focus on your individual needs. Our team of attorneys works closely together, bringing each of their different fields of experience to bear in order to optimize our client care.
Kevin's firm handled setting up my will and trust recently. They took something that seemed intimidating and made it easy to understand. I've also referred a couple clients to Kevin - he's trustworthy, approachable and very fairly priced.
"I've used Kevin and his firm's services since 2011. He gave undivided attention to my cases, advised me on different options and..."
"Kevin was extremely professional, responsive and knowledgeable when I came to him for help. I would definitely recommend O'Flaherty Law!"
We Understand Business Owners’ Needs! Kevin O’Flaherty who personally works with our business & corporate clients, has a passion for business and understands the mindset of entrepreneurs in a way that most attorneys do not. In addition to owning O’Flaherty Law, Kevin has started multiple other enterprises. He founded and hosts the SeizeYourBusiness.com podcast & videoblog, in which he interviews successful business owners and entrepreneurs regarding business issues and strategies. Kevin hosts regular Small Business Workshops and Seminars, as well as multiple Business Think Tank groups, where entrepreneurs come together to share ideas and work through problems. Kevin also founded the Business Lounge of Champaign County, a club for entrepreneurs and professionals to work together to enhance their business opportunities. As a business owner, you don’t just need an attorney. You need an attorney who understands the unique mindset of an entrepreneur.
Our Clients Love Us! Our Polk County business, corporate & contract Law attorneys have earned a reputation for going above-and-beyond for our clients. Many of our clients have been so impressed by our service, that they have taken time out of their busy schedules to write us glowing reviews, which you can read here. In 2016, we received the Avvo Clients’ Choice Award. In 2015, Suburban Life Magazine named Kevin O’Flaherty as one of its Best Under 40. We have an A+ Rating with the Better Business Bureau, and have never received a complaint. We have received these accolades because we work every day to put our clients first. Kevin is accessible after hours and on weekends via his cell phone: (630)967-4697. We promptly return calls and e-mails, and affirmatively communicate with you and educate you at every stage of your matter.
We Are Budget-Friendly! We know that the last thing you need for your bottom line is expensive legal bills. Our mission is to build a lifelong relationship with our business clients and their families. This is why we have intentionally set our rates below market. We offer cost-effective flat fees for most projects. If a flat fee is not available, we will make sure that you know what to expect at the outset of your project, and that you are never surprised by a legal bill. If you can find a more affordable option for your business & corporate needs, we would like to hear about it!
We are Comprehensive! The fact that you are a business owner will impact your personal legal needs, such as estate planning, real estate, and protecting assets from creditors. Because our team of Elmhurst attorneys has experience in nearly every area of law, once you establish trust with O’Flaherty Law of Polk County, you will never have to look elsewhere for an attorney, regardless of your needs. Unlike firms with a more limited scope, we have the ability to incorporate your business planning into your personal legal needs. Should your business need assistance with collections or other dispute resolution, with bankruptcy, or with any other area of law, we can help!
Learn how we service your area with our Remote Location Approach.
The purpose of a consultation is to determine whether our firm is a good fit for your legal needs. Although we often discuss expected results and costs, our attorneys do not give legal advice unless and until you choose to retain us.
Schedule a ConsultationLearn More About The Firm2716 Grand Ave., Ste. 2
Des Moines, IA 50312
I am personally committed to ensuring that each one of our clients receives the highest level of client service from our team. Our mission is to provide excellent legal work in a cost-effective manner while maintaining open lines of communication between our clients and their attorneys. Many of our clients are going through difficult times in their lives when they reach out to us. They should feel comfortable leaning on the experience and knowledge of our attorneys as their counselors and advocates. We are here to help!
In this video, our Polk County business attorneys discuss important aspects of foreign businesses. In Iowa, if your LLC is formed in another state, it is considered a foreign LLC. This means that it has been created under the laws of another state. In contrast, a business formed in Iowa is considered a domestic business in Iowa. To register a business in the state of Iowa, you need to file an application for a certificate of authority with the Iowa Secretary of State. A copy of this document can be found on the Iowa Secretary of State’s website and it can be filled out through an online portal. The penalties for not registering your foreign LLC in Iowa can be very harsh. If your LLC does business in Iowa without authority, it can’t bring a lawsuit in the state. Additionally, you could face a civil penalty of up to $1,000 and can face being barred from continuing to conduct business in Iowa by the attorney general.
In this video, our Polk County business attorneys explain how If you have a limited liability company (LLC) in Iowa, you will need to draft and file a number of documents with the state to maintain your business. Iowa requires LLC’s to file biennial reports with the Secretary of State. While you can still print out the report, fill it out and then mail it into the Secretary of State, the Iowa Secretary of State now has an online portal that allows you to fill in and submit all of the information online. In Iowa, most LLC’s are considered pass through tax entities for purposes of income taxes. In other words, the responsibility of paying income taxes passes through the LLC to the individual LLC members. If your LLC has employees you will need to pay employer taxes. Taxes will need to be paid both federally and in Iowa. If your LLC sells any goods to customers in Iowa, you have to collect and pay sales tax. To do this, you must register with the Department of Revenue and submit tax payments periodically.
In this video, our Polk County attorneys explain how in Iowa, sole proprietorships are more or less the “basis” format for a business. Sole proprietorships aren’t a legal business entity. It is considered one and the same from the person operating the entity. Because there is no difference between the individual and the business, sole proprietors do not need to file business tax returns. The business’s profits or loses will be on their personal tax returns. As for liability, because there is no difference between you and the business, you are liable for anything the business is, whether it be a contract you make on behalf of the business or any litigation against the business.