Dr. North, a surgeon practicing in Georgia, engaged an Arizona professional corporation consisting of twenty lawyers to represent him in a dispute with a Georgia hospital. West, a member of the law firm, flew to Atlanta and hired local counsel with Dr. North’s approval. West represented Dr. North in two hearings before the hospital and in one court proceeding, also negotiating a compromise between Dr. North and the hospital.

The total bill for the law firm’s travel costs and professional services was $21,000, but Dr. North refused to pay

$6,000 of it. The law firm brought an action against Dr. North for the balance owed. Dr. North argued that the action should be dismissed because the law firm failed to register as a foreign corporation in accordance with the Georgia Corporation Statute.

Will the law firm be prevented from collecting on the contract? Explain.