how to select a lawyer for your business

How to Find and Pick a Business Attorney in 5 Steps

• Determine why you need a business attorney.
• Source attorneys through your network or legal directories.
• Compare attorneys by asking the right questions.
• Work out a fee arrangement that fits your budget.
• Know when it’s okay to skip the small business lawyer.

Full Answer

How to find an excellent lawyer?

Jun 11, 2020 · First, bring information about your business or your case, which the business lawyer will need in order to understand your situation and make recommendations. The Contra Costa County (California) Bar Association suggests that you write down notes before the meeting, outlining what you know about the situation and what you don't know.

How to choose the best lawyer?

There are many things to consider when looking for the right law firm for your business. As a practical matter, you need to review your budget and ask …

What is the best way to select a lawyer?

Oct 15, 2019 · How to Find and Pick a Business Attorney in 5 Steps Determine why you need a business attorney. Source attorneys through your network or legal directories. Compare attorneys by asking the right questions. Work out a fee arrangement that fits your budget. Know when it’s okay to skip the small ...

Why should you should become a lawyer?

If you are looking for long-term general counsel for your business, you can find a good business lawyer. Later on, they can also put you in touch with specialists when needed. Look for a lawyer who understands your niche

What do business lawyers do?

General business lawyers handle business formation, contract writing, and more. But in many fields of the law, lawyers tend to specialize. You might find a lawyer to handle: 1 Real estate: buying, selling, and leasing real property 2 Employment: issues regarding laws about the employer-employee relationship 3 Taxes: planning for taxes and dealing with tax agencies 4 Litigation: when a dispute turns into a lawsuit

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.

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Tips

Attorneys' personal websites are a great way to investigate potential attorneys before moving forward with the interview process. You may also be able to find client testimonials online, as well as confidentiality rankings from attorney directories.

Warnings

Don't put off choosing an attorney until you need legal representation for a dispute. While it is true that attorney services cost money, disputes can cost much more money. A good attorney will advise you on measures to avoid disputes before they happen.

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Has the firm worked with businesses your size before?

Small, medium, and large businesses often face distinct legal issues. If you are a small business, you need a firm that is used to working with small enterprises. If you would classify yourself as a startup, then you need a firm that understands startups’ needs and objectives.

Can the firm help with all of your needs?

As a business, your legal needs are diverse. You might need a lawyer to help you set up appropriate hiring and employment practices, draft employment or client contracts, negotiate commercial real estate transactions, and ensure you minimize your tax liability.

Can the law firm scale?

You may not need all hands on deck, all of the time. However, if something goes wrong, you might suddenly need a lot of help. If you expect there may be times that the business will face an increased workload, ask firms about their ability to scale up on projects and workers.

What is the law firm culture?

When it comes to choosing the right firm for your business, you can do more than look at experience. You can learn about the firm’s culture. Does the firm champion diversity? Is it a great place for working parents? Does it promote pro bono and volunteer work? You can look for a firm that matches your own values.

Is the law firm cost-conscious?

There are many things to consider when looking for the right law firm for your business. As a practical matter, you need to review your budget and ask potential law firms about their fees. You should also ask the firms how their strategies for keeping clients’ costs down and avoiding going over budget on projects.

How does the law firm approach problems?

Not all firms handle transactions, disputes, and potential litigation in the same way.

Victoria Langley, Contributor

Victoria E. Langley is a legal content writer living in the Pacific Northwest. She holds a B.A. in philosophy from Northern Illinois University and a J.D. from the John Marshall Law School of Chicago. She strives to combine her passion for the law and writing.

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.

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.