The short answer is, not always, but if real money or long-term opportunities are involved then having a lawyer can be the difference between a great deal and a costly mistake…

Forming a C Corporation is often the right move for startups planning to raise outside capital, issue equity to employees, or scale quickly. 

Done right, a C Corp can set you up for clean equity, easier fundraising, and fewer legal surprises. Done wrong, they create issues that can delay or kill investment rounds later.

Here’s a practical legal checklist for the first 90 days of a C Corp startup.