Business Law Attorneys in Cranston, Rhode Island
A Family Business, Serving Rhode Island's Family Businesses
Formation, contracts, and succession planning from attorneys who are business owners too. We help you launch, grow, protect, and pass on what you’ve built.
Family-owned & operated in Cranston, RI
- Family-Owned & Operated
- Two Generations of Attorneys
- Serving RI, MA, CT & NH
- Free 15-Minute Discovery Call
- White-Glove Service
- Fair, Honest Pricing
Running a small business is rewarding, and full of legal decisions that can make or break your success. At Senerchia & Senerchia, P.C., our Cranston business law attorneys provide the practical legal support Rhode Island entrepreneurs and owners need to launch, grow, protect, and eventually transition their companies. As business owners ourselves, we understand what you’re up against, and we’re in your corner for the long haul.
Business Formation & Structure
Choosing and setting up the right entity affects your taxes, your liability, and your ability to grow. We help you start on solid legal footing and register properly with the RI Secretary of State.
Contracts & Day-to-Day Legal Support
The right agreements protect your business and your relationships. We draft and review the contracts that keep your operations running smoothly.
- Vendor, client, and service agreements
- Commercial leases (coordinated with our real estate practice)
- Employment and independent-contractor agreements
- Buy-sell agreements between owners
Business Succession & Exit Planning
Your business is likely one of your most valuable assets, but what happens to it when you retire, become disabled, or pass away? We tie your business into your personal estate plan so ownership transitions the way you want, without conflict or a fire sale.
- Succession plans for family-owned businesses
- Buy-sell agreements funded and coordinated with your estate plan
- Transfer of ownership to the next generation or key employees
Protecting the Business You've Built
A lawsuit, creditor, or partnership dispute can threaten everything you’ve worked for. We integrate asset protection planning with your business structure so your personal and business assets are better shielded from risk.
Why Work With Senerchia & Senerchia
Senerchia & Senerchia, P.C. is a family-owned Rhode Island law firm, and we treat your family like our own. We live here and we are your neighbors, so we understand Rhode Island families, Rhode Island courts, and the local realities our clients face. We’re a family business serving family businesses, approachable, responsive, and invested in your long-term success.
- Our family protecting your family, a personal, caring approach, not a stuffy law office
- White-glove service and communication, including availability beyond regular business hours
- Thorough, meticulous documentation done right the first time
- Fair, honest, transparent pricing with no surprises
- We go the extra mile: you work directly with our attorneys, not a call center
Meet our attorneys or book a free 15-minute discovery call to see how we can help protect what matters most to you.
Reviews From Our Clients
Our Family Protecting Your Family
Senerchia & Senerchia, P.C. is a family-owned Rhode Island law firm and title company, two generations of the Senerchia family practicing law and treating every client like one of our own. We’re not a stuffy, big-city firm. We live here. We’re your neighbors. And when you call, you speak directly with an attorney, not a call center.
It’s a simple idea: our family is here to protect yours, today and for generations to come. Book a free 15-minute discovery call or call 401-615-3880.
Areas We Serve: Cranston & Surrounding Rhode Island
Our office is located at 150 Burnside Street in Cranston, Rhode Island, with easy access off Interstate 95 and the Route 10 Connector. From Cranston we serve business owners and entrepreneurs throughout the greater Providence area and roughly a 25-mile radius around our office, including
- Providence, Warwick, West Warwick, Johnston, and North Providence
- East Greenwich, Coventry, Scituate, Foster, and Smithfield
- Pawtucket, Central Falls, Lincoln, Cumberland, and Woonsocket
- East Providence, Barrington, Bristol, Warren, and North Kingstown
We also welcome clients from just over the Massachusetts line, including Attleboro, North Attleboro, Seekonk, Rehoboth, Swansea, Fall River, New Bedford, and Fairhaven. For clients who cannot travel to Cranston, we offer remote meetings by Zoom or Microsoft Teams. Ready to talk? Schedule a consultation or contact our office.
Frequently Asked Questions
What business structure is right for my Rhode Island business?
It depends on your goals, liability concerns, number of owners, and tax situation. LLCs are popular for their flexibility and liability protection, but corporations or partnerships may fit better. We’ll walk you through the trade-offs and register your entity with the RI Secretary of State.
Do I need an operating agreement or bylaws?
Yes, even single-owner businesses benefit. These documents define how the business is run, how decisions are made, and what happens if an owner leaves or dies. Without them, Rhode Island’s default rules apply, which may not reflect your wishes.
How do I protect my personal assets from my business?
A properly formed and maintained entity separates business liabilities from personal assets, but protection requires ongoing compliance and clean finances. We combine entity structuring with asset protection planning for stronger results.
What is a buy-sell agreement?
It’s a contract among business owners that controls what happens to an owner’s share upon death, disability, divorce, or departure. It prevents disputes and unwanted new co-owners, and it’s often funded with insurance and tied to your estate plan.
Do I need to register a trademark for my business name?
Registering a trade name in Rhode Island and, where appropriate, a federal trademark with the USPTO helps protect your brand. We can advise on what level of protection makes sense for your business.
How do I plan for what happens to my business when I retire or pass away?
Through succession and exit planning tied into your estate plan. We help you decide who takes over, how ownership transfers, and how to fund the transition so your business survives the change.
Can you help with commercial leases and contracts?
Absolutely. We draft and review commercial leases, vendor and client agreements, and employment contracts, coordinating with our real estate practice on property matters.
Do you work with businesses outside Cranston?
Yes. We serve business owners across Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts, in person and by remote meeting. Schedule a LIFT Your Life and Business Planning Session.
Rhode Island Resources & Related Pages
Our attorneys serve families and businesses throughout Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts from our office in Cranston, with remote meetings available by Zoom or Microsoft Teams.
Official Rhode Island sources: RI Secretary of State: Business Services · IRS: Apply for an EIN · USPTO: Trademarks
Related pages on our site: Estate Planning · Asset Protection Planning · Real Estate Law · Contact Us
Business Law That Goes Beyond Advice With Your Dedicated Legal Partner
Running a business comes with its own set of challenges and opportunities. That’s why we’re here. Our team at Senerchia & Senerchia P.C. is dedicated to helping you navigate the legal side of things with confidence.
When you work with us, you’re not just getting legal advice, you’re getting trusted partners who take the time to understand your goals and provide practical, personalized solutions to protect and grow your business.
Start Your Business With Confidence And Support Every Step Of The Way
Choosing The Right Business Structure Made Simple
We’re here to help you get your business off the ground the right way.
Our lawyers can guide you through choosing the type of business that makes the most sense for your goals. Whether it’s a Sole Proprietorship, Partnership, Limited Liability Corporation (LLC), Corporation or something else.
Once you’ve decided, we’ll take care of all the legal paperwork to make it official.
Sole Proprietorships
Partnership
Limited Liability Company
Corporation
Deciding how to structure your business is a key step that can impact everything from taxes to liability and future growth.
The type of business entity you choose will affect how you’re taxed, how much personal liability you carry, and how your business can grow. We’ll help you understand the pros and cons of each and guide you toward the structure that best fits your goals so you can start your business with confidence. Here’s a simple breakdown of the most common options: