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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The process of selling a business takes a minimum of several months. Among other steps, you will want a potential buyer to sign a nondisclosure/confidentiality agreement before providing details about your business operations.
A business purchase agreement (or stock purchase agreement for a corporation) is used when a buyer is acquiring an entire business, its assets and its liabilities, including its debts and obligations such as unpaid taxes or potential lawsuits . However, the most common arrangement for buying a small business ...
A business lawyer will advise you on many different aspects relating to business, such as regulation compliance, business incorporation, and legal liability. The sooner you retain a business attorney, the better.
If your business is developing proprietary products or processes that need to be protected, a lawyer can help you with contracts and copyright and patent applications, such as nondisclosure agreements, that protect your intangible assets. If your company is going to be creating a lot of intellectual property which could become sued over in the future it is especially important that a lawyer look over all paperwork before it is submitted.
Experienced corporate lawyers can cost between $300 and $600 per hour, depending on a variety of factors, such as the following: 1 Geographic location. Lawyers in major cities may charge more money than those in smaller communities. 2 Level of experience. A partner will cost more per hour than an associate in a firm. 3 Firm size. Lawyers with large, national law firms may charge more than those in smaller firms.
If you are ever the subject of a lawsuit, such as a discrimination or harassment suit from an employee, or an action by a customer,company or vendor, you should consult with an attorney immediately. If a state or federal agency, such as OSHA, investigates you, a lawyer can be your advocate and adviser since they are versed in business law. At this point privacy of information may also come into play so a lawyer should be able to walk you through a standard NDA or privacy agreement.
Exit strategies. Many entrepreneurs are eager to start a new business, but they may not think about the possibility that a principal or major stakeholder wants to stop running the business and leave. A business attorney will help you determine the value of your business, should your plans ever change.
Business law encompasses the rules, statutes, codes, and regulations that govern business relationships. Business law provides a legal framework to help business people conduct and manage a business.
Business law ensures that a business is run in a continuous and systematic manner, with expected profits and the upkeep of commercial principles. Hiring a business lawyer is advised if you are planning to form a corporation or partnership.
If you need a business lawyer to help you with any business law matter, contact us today. Attorney Search Network can help you find a business lawyer near you.
A small business lawyer (corporate lawyer) can help you choose the type of business entity that is best for your company and file the necessary incorporation documents. The corporate lawyer that does business formation is also known as an incorporation attorney. Raising venture capital.
Most corporate lawyer also help with business startup such as incorporation. California business lawyer and corporate attorneys will not be able to tell you the names of their clients or specific cases, but they will be able to tell you the size of businesses they have worked with.
The best way to keep your legal fees low is to be aware of what legal topic your business needs from a business attorney or corporate lawyer. A business owner can get information without hiring a California business law lawyer by visiting the California Secretary of State business website. The Small Business Administration website also has helpful information. Asking for regular advice from a business lawyer about things that you could research can result in legal bills adding up very quickly. The following list details things that are easy to handle with a little bit of research and do not need the help of a business attorney: 1 Writing a business plan 2 Selecting a domain name or business name 3 Anything to do with taxes 4 Applying for a business loan 5 Applying for business licenses 6 Filing formation papers 7 Applying for an EIN 8 Hiring independent contractors or employees 9 Payroll
By working with a business attorney or corporate lawyer, rather than hiring them just for litigation, you will save a lot of money long-term. Being proactive in protecting your company from legal claims will reduce the need for costly and time-consuming litigation.
Litigation is often handled on a contingent fee, meaning the attorney will receive payment only if they win the case. Their fee is set as a percentage of your compensation, and therefore, contingent fees are often applied to cases where your business is suing for compensation or damages.
Each industry is governed by its own sets of laws and practices. It is prudent to hire a business attorney and corporate attorney with experience in your industry so they can spot any industry-specific legal issues.
A retainer agreement means you pay for the business attorney to dedicate a certain amount of time each month to your business. Any work above the monthly retainer will be completed on a flat fee basis.