Also known as: legally authorised representative · legally-authorized representative · LAR · authorized representative · legal representative
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
A person or entity authorized under applicable law to act on behalf of another who lacks capacity or in designated legal proceedings. The representative may exercise rights, provide consent, sign records, or pursue claims that the principal could otherwise assert. Authority typically arises from statutes governing incapacity, death, or corporate or organizational representation.
Lattice Systems brings a derivative action against a former officer for self-dealing. Because the company is the real party in interest, the suit proceeds through its receiver as the legally authorized representative. The court accepts the filing and the action moves forward on the corporation's behalf.
Liam Larson, an LLC member under legal disability, seeks company records. His court-appointed guardian, acting as legal representative, submits the demand. The LLC must respond to the guardian and any operating-agreement restrictions apply equally to the representative.
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State law determines who may consent on behalf of an incapacitated person. Typical examples include court-appointed guardians and parents of minors. A friend or employer lacks authority to consent for an adult.
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Yes. Any restriction that applies to the member also binds the legal representative exercising rights under the statute. The representative steps into the member's shoes for both rights and limitations.
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Yes. The Model Business Corporation Act expressly authorizes the corporation to sue through a receiver or other legal representative when challenging an incumbent or former director's conduct.
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