Organizing as a Benefit Corporation: Pursuing Profit and Purpose

Twenty-first century businesses are energized by both “doing good” and “doing well.” They seek to pursue profit in a way that creates a benefit to employees, customers, the environment and the community at large. Thirty-two states (including Delaware) have responded by adopting laws that allow for the creation of “benefit corporations”—entities that engage in for-profit business while committing to create a general public benefit. Organizing as a benefit corporation has both legal and market advantages. This program, taught by Regina M. Robson, a shareholder of Robson & Robson, P.C., will teach you how to create or convert to a benefit entity and understand the legal obligations of operating as a “B” corporation. It will also help you to determine what sorts of businesses might benefit from organizing or converting to this new hybrid form.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the legal context of hybrid entities and its advantages for some businesses
2. Discuss the process for organizing or converting to a benefit corporation
3. Identify ongoing legal requirements to operate as a benefit corporation
4. Gain practice tips for deciding whether to “go benefit”