how to hire a lawyer for business matters

What do lawyers do?

But in many fields of the law, lawyers tend to specialize. You might find a lawyer to handle: Real estate: buying, selling, and leasing real property. Employment: issues regarding laws about the employer-employee relationship. Taxes: planning for taxes and dealing with tax agencies. Litigation: when a dispute turns into a lawsuit.

Can you be charged extra for court fees?

The Federal Trade Commission notes that you may be charged extra for court fees, copies of documents, and other incidentals, so you can avoid unpleasant surprises if you clarify that at the outset. As you speak to the business lawyer, listen for "red flags.".

What is a good business attorney?

A good business attorney will provide vital assistance in almost every aspect of your business, from basic zoning compliance and copyright and trademark advice to formal business incorporation and lawsuits and liability. First, some general rules about dealing with lawyers:

What skills do you need to be a lawyer?

You will need a lawyer who can understand your business quickly; prepare the standard form contracts you will need with customers, clients and suppliers; and help you respond to contracts that other people will want you to sign. 2.

How much do lawyers have to pay upfront?

Many attorneys require payment of a flat fee upfront, so that they can cover their out-of-pocket expenses. You should always ask to "hold back" 10 to 20 percent of a flat fee, though, in the event the lawyer doesn't do the job well.

What is a "finder" attorney?

Your attorney should be a combination of a "minder" and a "grinder.".

Why are larger firms more expensive?

While larger firms are more expensive to deal with, they have two significant advantages: 1) they usually have all the legal skills you need "under one roof," and 2) they have a lot of clout in the local, regional and (perhaps) national legal community.

Why do I need an accountant?

The reasons for hiring an accountant are pretty obvious--you need someone to help you set up your "chart of accounts," review your numbers periodically, and prepare all of your necessary federal, state and local tax returns. The reason for hiring a business attorney may not, however, be so apparent. A good business attorney will provide vital ...

Do lawyers know everything?

No lawyer can possibly know everything about every area of law. If your business has specialized legal needs (a graphic designer, for example, may need someone who is familiar with copyright laws), your attorney should either be familiar with that special area or have a working relationship with someone who is.

What is a healthy attorney-client relationship?

A healthy attorney-client relationship is paramount when you're involved in a legal dispute—and most clients who participate actively in resolving their legal problems are more satisfied with the results. Here you'll find information that will help you hire and work with an attorney.

What to do if you've been putting something off?

If you've been putting something off—say you've meant to set up a trust for your grandchildren, you need to clean up old debts through bankruptcy, or your legal problem is especially upsetting, like a nasty lawsuit —hiring an attorney to handle everything can be just what you need.

Do you have to give consent to a lawyer to text you?

You are not required to provide consent as a condition of service. Attorneys have the option, but are not required, to send text messages to you. You will receive up to 2 messages per week from Martindale-Nolo. Frequency from attorney may vary.

Do lawyers provide limited help?

Many lawyers are open to providing limited help—reviewing documents or researching a particular issue, for example. To find attorneys who do this, just review attorneys' profiles: Nolo asks lawyers to indicate whether they're willing to coach clients or review client-prepared documents.

Why is it important to hire a lawyer?

However, if your business is subject to a lawsuit, you’ll be relieved that you hired a lawyer. When evaluating lawyers, you should ask a lot ...

What kind of law do lawyers specialize in?

People sometimes wonder what types of lawyers are available to them. Lawyers often specialize in either business law or personal law. For this reason, you should search for lawyers who have business law experience.

What is a CPA for a business?

Taxes for businesses can get complicated. For this reason, it pays to use a qualified tax professional, such as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). While a CPA can be beneficial when your business gets audited, there could be a situation where the tax authority decides to take legal action against your business.

What is an employment lawyer?

Employment and Labor Lawyer. Using an employment and labor lawyer only makes sense when your business has employees. If it does, your business should comply with state and federal laws. An attorney in this area of the law can help you draft employee manuals and ensure safety standards are in place.

What happens when you buy and sell a business?

When you buy and sell businesses, you’ll negotiate for the property and assets of those businesses. It may not always be clear what you’re entitled to during these negotiations. It pays to have a mergers and acquisitions (M&A) lawyer representing your interests in the transactions.

What is a general business lawyer?

1. General Business Lawyer. As the name suggests, a general business lawyer can provide legal advice on a wide range of matters. This type of lawyer has a hand in every legal discipline. If your business doesn’t deal with special circumstances, a general business lawyer may be well suited to your purposes.

Can a lawyer review a contract?

In addition, some lawyers are knowledgeable about tax issues, even if they aren’t accountants. They may have handled legal tax matters for other business owners and can make sure you don’t run into the same issues.