how do i find a lawyer for my business

Here are a few other sources you can turn to for possible candidates in your search for a lawyer:

• The director of your state or local chamber of commerce might be a good source of business lawyers.
• The director of a nonprofit group interested in the subject matter that underlies your lawsuit is sure to know lawyers who work in that area. ...
• A women's or men's support group will probably have a list of well-regarded family and divorce lawyers.

Full Answer

Is an attorney essential when starting my business?

Jun 11, 2020 · Most state and local bar associations offer this service (sometimes for a fee) and may also help you find a lawyer according to where you live and what kind of legal matter you have. Several online directories include reviews from other users. Often, these also include any publicly available information about ethical complaints against the lawyer.

How to hire a business lawyer?

Sep 09, 2019 · Newspaper, telephone directory, radio, television, and Internet ads, along with direct mail, can make you familiar with the names of lawyers who may be appropriate for your legal needs. Some ads also will help you determine a lawyer’s area of expertise. Other ads will quote a fee or price range for handling a specific type of “simple” case.

How to find an excellent lawyer?

Apr 18, 2022 · How to find a business lawyer who works best with your business interests Choosing a business entity Raising money Drafting founder agreements Contract review Handling employment issues Obtaining IP protection

How to find a startup lawyer?

Sep 04, 2020 · Do Some Research You can run an attorney search at databases such as Avvo and Martindale Hubbell, which provide information such as practice areas, location, disciplinary records, and lawyer reviews. You might also consult your local or state bar association’s attorney directory, which is a list of lawyers in your area.

What does legal insurance cover?

These plans vary. Many cover most, if not all, of the cost of legal consultations, document preparation, and court representation in routine legal matters. Other programs cover only advice and consultation with a lawyer.

How long can you be in jail for a crime?

Constitution guarantees you the right to be represented by a lawyer in any case in which you could be incarcerated for six months or more. State constitutions may guarantee your right to a lawyer for lesser crimes.

Can you be incarcerated for six months?

If you are accused of a crime, the U.S. Constitution guarantees you the right to be represented by a lawyer in any case in which you could be incarcerated for six months or more. State constitutions may guarantee your right to a lawyer for lesser crimes. If you cannot afford a lawyer, either the judge hearing the case will appoint a private lawyer to represent you free of charge or the government’s public defender will handle your case, also at no charge.

How to find a business attorney?

How to Find and Pick a Business Attorney in 5 Steps 1 Determine why you need a business attorney. 2 Source attorneys through your network or legal directories. 3 Compare attorneys by asking the right questions. 4 Work out a fee arrangement that fits your budget. 5 Know when it’s okay to skip the small business lawyer.

What can an attorney do for a business?

An attorney can help you negotiate favorable contracts and ensure you understand all the fine print. Handling employment issues: As a business’s workforce grows larger, business attorneys often step in to help with labor law compliance and to resolve wrongful termination lawsuits.

What can a small business lawyer do?

A small business lawyer can help you draft both partnership agreements and corporate bylaws.

How long is a consultation for a business lawyer?

The next step after sourcing a handful of business attorneys is to meet with all of them. Most lawyers offer free half-hour or one-hour consultations to meet with potential clients. A consultation is a good way to see if a small business lawyer is a good fit without committing.

Can a business attorney work with you on a contingent fee?

A contingent fee is when the attorney receives payment only if they win the case on your behalf. There are multiple ethical reasons, however, why an attorney might avoid a contingent fee arrangement. For instance, an attorney who is fired midway through a case by their client might find it difficult to recoup compensation if a contingent fee arrangement is in place.

What is Priyanka's job?

Priyanka specializes in small business finance, credit, law, and insurance, helping businesses owners navigate complicated concepts and decisions . Since earning her law degree from the University of Washington, Priyanka has spent half a decade writing on small business financial and legal concerns.

Can a business attorney take equity?

Business attorneys sometimes will take a portion of equity in your business in exchange for providing legal help. This happens very rarely because small businesses have high failure rates, so there’s no guarantee that the attorney will receive payment. However, this might be something you’re able to work out with a small business lawyer if you have a fast-growing startup.

Tap Your Network

Ask around among your family, friends, co-workers, and acquaintances to see if they know of any attorneys they could recommend. Personal references can be some of the most reliable references you will find.

Do Some Research

You can run an attorney search at databases such as Avvo and Martindale Hubbell, which provide information such as practice areas, location, disciplinary records, and lawyer reviews.

Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Lawyer

Now that you have some attorney options, it’s time to choose. To get you started, here’s a list of questions to ask an attorney before hiring them:

More Considerations When Hiring a Lawyer

One way to get a feel for an attorney’s practice is to be observant when you go for your first consultation.

How to find a lawyer for a lawsuit?

Here are a few other sources you can turn to for possible candidates in your search for a lawyer: 1 The director of your state or local chamber of commerce may be a good source of business lawyers. 2 The director of a nonprofit group interested in the subject matter that underlies your lawsuit is sure to know lawyers who work in that area. For example, if your dispute involves trying to stop a major new subdivision, it would make sense to consult an environmental group committed to fighting urban sprawl. 3 A law librarian can help identify authors in your state who have written books or articles on a particular subject -- for example, construction law. 4 A women's or men's support group will probably have a list of well-regarded family and divorce lawyers.

What is Nolo lawyer directory?

Nolo offers a unique lawyer directory that provides a comprehensive profile for each attorney with information that will help you select the right attorney. The profiles tell you about the lawyer's experience, education, and fees, and perhaps most importantly, the lawyer's general philosophy of practicing law.

How much does a lawyer charge an hour?

Lawyers, of course, are prime sources of this information, but if you bought all the needed information at their rates -- $150 to $450 an hour -- you'd quickly empty your bank account.

What is a lawyer referral service?

Lawyer referral services are another source of information. There is a wide variation in the quality of lawyer referral services, however, even though they are required to be approved by the state bar association. Some lawyer referral services carefully screen attorneys and list only those attorneys with particular qualifications and a certain amount of past experience, while other services will list any attorney in good standing with the state bar who maintains liability insurance. Before you choose a lawyer referral service, ask what its qualifications are for including an attorney and how carefully lawyers are screened.

What can a law librarian do?

A law librarian can help identify authors in your state who have written books or articles on a particular subject -- for example, construction law. A women's or men's support group will probably have a list of well-regarded family and divorce lawyers.

Do lawyers work with you?

Fortunately, many lawyers will work with you to help you acquire a good working knowledge of the legal principles and procedures you need to deal with your problem at least partly on your own. If you are hoping to represent yourself and use a lawyer only for advice, make sure the lawyer is open to that type of set-up.

Issues You Can Handle on Your Own

There are certain matters that are fairly straightforward and/or not unduly difficult to learn and therefore do not require the services of an attorney who charges at least $200 per hour. There are enough expenses associated with running a business, why not save yourself a load of money and do it yourself if you can?

Issues Where You Will Need a Business Lawyer

Most of the issues outlined above can be handled by any intelligent business owner (if you can run a business, you can certainly fill out IRS forms or fill in boilerplate business forms). There are times, however, when a business faces issues that are too complex, too time consuming, or fraught with liability issues.

An Ounce of Prevention

While you certainly need to retain an attorney for the serious issues above, your emphasis should be placed on preventing such occurrences in the first place. Prevention does not necessarily involve hiring an attorney, though consulting with one wouldn't hurt.

Get in Touch with a Business Attorney Before You Need One

You won't need a lawyer for each and every legal issue that comes up in your business. But when you do, it's good to know where to find the right one. And -- more to the point -- you may not know you need legal help until it's too late, as attorneys can help you stay in compliance with the law and spot developing legal issues early.

What is an individual lawyer?

Individual lawyers (also called attorneys) are experts in different areas of the law. Some attorneys specialize in a certain field of law, such as business, civil, criminal, or juvenile law. You will need to determine which type of attorney is right for your legal situation.

How long does bankruptcy stay on your credit report?

Keep in mind, Chapter 7 bankruptcy information stays on your credit report for 10 years. This can make it hard to get credit, buy a home, receive life insurance, or get a job. Learn more about bankruptcy, and other options for dealing with debt .

How to make informed decisions?

Make Informed Decisions in a No-Pressure Setting 1 Always 100% free to find and communicate with licensed attorneys - no hidden fees 2 Your privacy is always protected - you decide when to disclose your personal information to interested attorneys 3 All member lawyers are pre-screened and in good standing with their state's bar associations 4 Review attorney's profiles and responses to your case before making a decision 5 Know exactly how much each lawyer charges in detail 6 Lawyer star ratings and reviews show previous customer experiences with each attorney and allow you to properly evaluate their strengths and weaknesses 7 Gain access to lawyers in every area of law 8 No random matching or choosing - you make your decision based on a lawyer's expertise, experience, pricing, and availability 9 There is never any obligation to hire or contact a lawyer through our service - you decide if and when you contact an attorney

Is your privacy protected?

Your privacy is always protected - you decide when to disclose your personal information to interested attorneys. All member lawyers are pre-screened and in good standing with their state's bar associations. Review attorney's profiles and responses to your case before making a decision.