Question

Attorneys Arianna and Alexander share an office that has a sign reading: "A & A, a law firm." Their billing invoices have both their names on them, and they deposit their earnings and cover the rent from the same account. They do not share profits or have any agreement to be partners. Dexter, a client of Arianna’s for the past two years, sues both Arianna and Alexander, alleging that Arianna committed malpractice.
a. If Dexter wins in court and is awarded $50,000 in damages, who is liable to him?

Answer 1

Answer: Both Arianna and Alexander

Explanation: This is a general partnership. In a general partnership, all partners are personally liable for all business debts. They do not need to have any agreement to be partners or register their partnership formally to enter into a general partnership. The fact that they share an office, have a joint sign and an account is sufficient to establish this form of partnership.

Also, in a general partnership, each partner is held severally liable, that is if  one of them is liable to pay a business debt and cannot afford to pay, the other partner has to.