Salemi v. TMR Exploration, Inc., 2016 CA 0567 (La. App. 1 Cir. 6/13/17).  The Louisiana Court of Appeal ruled that Sec. 12:1502 of the Louisiana corporation law, which sets forth limitations periods for filing lawsuits against officers, directors, shareholders, etc. of business organizations formed under the laws of the state does not apply to the officers, directors, shareholders, etc. of corporations incorporated in another state but qualified to do business in Louisiana.…

BNSF Railway Co. v. Tyrrell, No. 16-405 (5/30/2017). The US Supreme Court ruled that (1) Sec. 56 of the Federal Employers’ Liability Act does not address personal jurisdiction

Kentucky Senate Bill 235 provides among other things that legal actions can be brought against domestic and foreign business entities in the county where their registered office is.

First National Bank of Omaha v. Spirit Medical Transport, 2017 Ohio App. LEXIS 1475 (4/21/17). The Ohio appellate court ruled that the plaintiff bank could not maintain an action in Ohio because it was not qualified to do business. 

Southern Railway Co. v. Dolan, 2017 Mo. LEXIS 66 (2/28/17).  The Missouri Supreme Court held that a foreign corporation does not consent to the general jurisdiction of Missouri’s courts by qualifying to do business and appointing a registered agent. 

Battery Alliance, Inc. v. Allegiant Power, LLC, 2017 Tenn. App. LEXIS 53 (1/30/17).  The Tennessee Court of Appeals ruled that a Florida LLC could maintain its counterclaim in Tennessee even though it had not qualified to do business.

To do business in any state other than its formation state, a limited liability company must register to do business in that state; a process that's often referred to as foreign qualification.

Don't risk penalties, fines, and loss of your limited liability by failing to register your company in every state where it is doing business.

Foreign qualification is required if you do business in a state other than the one where you formed your business. But, defining doing business can be tricky. Here are five signs that your activity may trigger the need for business registration.

See what proof of corporate existence each state requires for foreign qualification.