Business Law in Tampa
By Find Local Law Editorial Team · Last reviewed: May 26, 2026
Researched and drafted with AI assistance and verified against primary sources (statutes, Judicial Council forms, and official court websites). This is general information, not legal advice.
If you’re starting or running a business in Tampa, the formation paperwork is statewide: Florida LLCs, corporations, and fictitious names are filed with the Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz), not a local office. When a business dispute lands in court, it’s heard in the Circuit Court of the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit in and for Hillsborough County, which maintains a Business Court for complex commercial cases.
The local court decides where your case is heard; the substantive law lives in our statewide guides. Start with the Florida business law hub, then read about forming an LLC, choosing a business entity, or business disputes.
The right structure and clear contracts prevent most problems. To get matched with a local Tampa business attorney, connect with a lawyer.
Filing office & local court
Where to file: Business entities are formed statewide with the Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz), while business disputes for Tampa companies are litigated in the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court for Hillsborough County, which maintains a Business Court division for complex commercial cases.
Florida entity filings — LLCs, corporations, and fictitious names — go to the Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz) statewide, not a local court. When a Tampa business dispute goes to court, it is heard in the Circuit Court of the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit in and for Hillsborough County, which has a Business Court for complex commercial matters. Verify current filing procedures with Sunbiz and the court before you file.
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Start your free intakeFrequently asked questions
- Where do I register a business in Tampa?
- Florida business entities are formed statewide with the Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz), not a Hillsborough County office. The same applies whether you're forming an LLC, a corporation, or registering a fictitious name.
- Where are Tampa business disputes litigated?
- In the Circuit Court of the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit in and for Hillsborough County. Complex commercial matters may be assigned to that court's Business Court.