| name | corporate-bylaws |
| title | Corporate Bylaws |
| description | Drafts complete U.S. corporate bylaws harmonized with Articles of Incorporation and tailored to state statute (Delaware GCL, MBCA, or state-specific). Use for new corporation formations, governance overhauls, or updating existing bylaws for closely-held or emerging-growth corporations. |
| author | CaseMark |
| author_url | https://github.com/CaseMark/skills/tree/main/skills/legal/corporate-bylaws |
| license | Apache-2.0 |
| version | 0.1.0 |
| execution_mode | open |
| jurisdiction | us |
| practice | corporate |
| language | en |
| tags | ["agreement","drafting","research"] |
Corporate Bylaws
Produces a complete, internally consistent set of bylaws matched to the corporation's Articles, jurisdiction, ownership structure, and governance philosophy.
Prerequisites
- Articles of Incorporation — filed copy; extract: legal name, state, authorized share classes/counts, par value, liability/indemnification provisions, bylaw amendment restrictions
- State statute — identify jurisdiction; research mandatory vs. default provisions, notice periods, quorum floors, virtual meeting rules, indemnification scope
- Governance intake — ownership structure (closely-held vs. dispersed), IPO plans, board size/structure, voting standard preference, cumulative voting stance, written consent policy, officer positions
Quick Start
Draft bylaws using Articles I–IX below. Flag unresolved choices with [CLIENT CHOICE] and statutory questions with [VERIFY: jurisdiction].
Article Structure
I — Corporate Identity
- Name: exact match to filed Articles including designator
- Purpose: general business clause unless professional/benefit corp requires specificity
- Principal office: full address; board may relocate without amendment
- Registered office: distinguish from principal; reference statutory agent
II — Shareholders
Meetings
- Annual: board-determinable date within 13 months of prior; in-person/virtual/hybrid
[VERIFY: jurisdiction]
- Special: called by board, Chair, CEO, or shareholders holding
___% (10% closely-held; 25%+ dispersed)
Notice: 10–60 days (verify state floor); state date/time/place; special meetings must describe purpose; specify deemed-given rules per delivery method
Quorum & Voting
- Quorum: majority of outstanding voting shares (may reduce to 1/3 in most states)
- Routine matters: majority of shares present at quorum
- Fundamental transactions: majority or supermajority of all outstanding
[CLIENT CHOICE]
- Cumulative voting: include mechanics or expressly disclaim
[CLIENT CHOICE]
Proxies: written or electronic; 11-month default duration; revocable unless coupled with interest
Written Consent: permitted or prohibited [CLIENT CHOICE] — prohibit if IPO anticipated; if permitted, specify threshold and notice to non-consenting shareholders
