how to select good business lawyer

1. Begin looking before you need help. Running a good business is about anticipating your needs, and selecting an attorney is no different.
2. Contact business colleagues for referrals. Look around in your community for other businesses that are somewhat similar to yours.
3. Check with the local or state bar association. A bar association is a professional organization of lawyers that serves several different purposes.
4. Search for lawyers with a commercial referral service. Many commercial referral services have sites online that you can use.
5. Ask another lawyer. If you know a lawyer through other dealings, you may be able to ask him or her for a referral.

Full Answer

How do I select the right attorney for my business?

Selecting the right attorney is a time-consuming, but important process. To get started, develop a list of potential candidates by talking to business advisors, people in your industry, other attorneys and other trusted sources. You can consult law firm websites, online resources, bar associations or other referral networks.

What should I look for when hiring a business attorney?

Some attorneys may include the names of other business clients and a provide some positive comments from company officers. Whether the attorney has credentials as a specialist. Some states allow attorneys to earn specialist credentials in certain areas of law.

How to find a good lawyer?

Viewing the law firm's website will also give you insight into the scope of the firm's practice. Explore the website of each firm on your "short list" and Google the firm and individual attorneys. These steps will help you assess the depth and breadth of the firm's practice. 3. Expect the Attorney to be a Good Communicator

Do you need an attorney for Your Small Business?

Whether your business is one you run by yourself or you have many employees, you will run into legal matters that require the assistance of an attorney. You need to know how to find a good and trusted attorney.

How do people choose a lawyer?

How do people choose attorneys?Expertise. Of the respondents to the survey who contacted an attorney, 47% said “expertise” was the main factor they considered in determining to whom they'd reach out. ... Reviews. ... Trustworthiness.

What should I look for when hiring a law firm?

You'll want to ask:About their experience with your kind of case.How they would get the solution you want.About the chances of getting the solution you want, and other possible outcomes.Whether this lawyer, other lawyers, or paralegals in the law firm would do most of the work on the case.More items...

Should I speak to a lawyer before starting a business?

But meeting with a small business attorney before starting a business can be one of the smartest moves you'll ever make. A business lawyer can explain how to start a business and answer your business law questions. But more importantly, a lawyer can identify the risks you face and help you minimize them.

What qualities make a good commercial lawyer?

10 Key skills & qualities you need to excel in Commercial LawAppropriate knowledge and motivation. ... High ethical standards and an understanding of the role of law. ... Self confidence and good interpersonal skills. ... A variety of sustained interests which reveal a high level of achievement. ... Initiative and responsibility.More items...

How do you know if you hired a good lawyer?

So if you're curious, use these five quick ways to research whether your lawyer is legit:State Bar Profile. Every lawyer who is licensed to practice law in your home state must be listed in your state bar association's directory. ... Google / Search Engines. ... Yelp. ... The Attorney's Own Website. ... Third-Party Rating Groups.

What's the difference between attorney and lawyer?

Attorney vs Lawyer: Comparing Definitions Lawyers are people who have gone to law school and often may have taken and passed the bar exam. Attorney has French origins, and stems from a word meaning to act on the behalf of others. The term attorney is an abbreviated form of the formal title 'attorney at law'.

What does a business lawyer do?

A business lawyer is responsible for assisting corporations with legal matters. Their role is to ensure everything done at the company is legal and above board. From mergers and acquisitions to incorporations and bankruptcies, every legal aspect related to the company's business activity will be under your purview.

What questions should I ask a corporate lawyer?

General QuestionsHow long have you been practicing law?What do you specialize in?What are your main roles and duties? What goes beyond that scope?How do you bill?What companies do you generally work with? ... Are you experienced with startups?Are you familiar with the laws of incorporation in my specific state?

Who can help me with a business plan?

What is a business plan writer/consultant? A business plan writer/consultant is a business and financial expert who can help guide you through the process of creating a business plan and do much of the labor involved in creating it.

Why do I need a commercial lawyer?

Commercial Lawyers Focus on Protecting You and Your Interests. When you hire a business lawyer, you know that they have your business and your interests in mind. It is their job to offer you independent advice so that you can make the best decisions about how to run your business and where to invest your money.

What is the difference between commercial and corporate law?

Commercial law is a broader practice that encompasses areas such as intellectual property, franchising and litigation whilst corporate law is specifically focused on companies.

Why are commercial lawyers important?

Commercial lawyers help businesses trade and work on a wide range of commercial agreements dealing with the manufacture, sale, supply and distribution of goods and services, as well as identifying and establishing the best routes to market, which could be via an agency, distribution or franchise model.

Ask for Referrals from Colleagues and Friends Who Have Hired Lawyers Before

You can also ask for referrals from friends and colleagues who have hired lawyers before. If you can, speak with the persons they worked with directly to gain insight into their personalities and their knowledge of your specific industry.

Interview at Least Three Different Lawyers to Compare

Lastly, you should interview at least three different lawyers before deciding on which one to work with. They do not need to be expensive but just good enough that they can represent your company in court if necessary without any hesitation.

What can a business attorney do?

Most business attorneys can handle typical formation needs. This might include creating a corporation or LLC, putting together a partnership agreement, or drafting common business contracts. Tip: With all of these, be sure to ask if the documents are being customized to your specific needs.

Is legal advice free?

However, good legal advice isn’t free. (On the other hand, bad legal advice is easy to find.)

Do you need an attorney for a green left handed back scratcher?

This doesn’t mean that if your company makes green left-handed back scratchers, you need an attorney who only works in the green left-handed back scratcher industry.

Is a lawyer an asset?

A lawyer can either be an expensive line item or a huge asset for your business. As an entrepreneur, it’s up to you to make that choice. If you haven’t hired a business attorney before, the process can be intimidating.

Is it better to work with a larger firm or a solo attorney?

Very complex lawsuits, for example, may be better suited for a larger firm than a solo attorney or small firm.

What do I need to hire a business attorney?

You need to hire a business attorney who is multi-skilled. Capable enough to bring more to the table than just cut and dry legal knowledge. Your attorney should know how to defend their point in court. He needs to be persuasive and charming when necessary and has many other soft skills as well.

Do I need an attorney for my business?

You definitely need to hire an attorney. But if that lawyer has no idea about your company, or how your corporation works, severe problems are likely to emerge. Your attorney should know or be willing to learn all about your specific industry because that will only boost your chances of winning any cases.

What is the most important thing to consider when selecting a lawyer?

The appropriate level of experience is one of the most critical criteria in selecting a lawyer. You want a lawyer with a track record of success with your type of problem. Such a record of experience will increase the likelihood that the attorney can help to resolve your problem successfully.

How to deal with a small firm?

In a small firm, you may be more likely to deal directly with the attorney you hire, while in a larger firm you may have several attorneys working on different aspects of your case. Therefore, ask the contact attorney which individual attorney will be responsible for your case and which other attorneys will work on it-from start to finish-and how the firm will staff your current and subsequent cases. Also, ask how the firm uses its paralegals and support staff .

What is the best way to communicate with an attorney?

The attorney should have the ability to communicate in an organized and understandable manner. The attorney should have a good "bedside manner" and have good judgment as to when in-person communications or e-mail is most appropriate.

What is the difference between a larger firm and a smaller firm?

A larger firm may also have more depth or breadth of experience than a smaller firm. A larger firm may have more resources to assist you.

Can you use a national specialist?

Whether you use a local or national specialist depends on the nature of the matter at issue. For example, real estate or workers' compensation matters are almost always handled locally. On the other hand, matters of federal law, such as wage and hour or labor law can be handled best by national specialists. Transportation and technology make it possible to use a specialist from almost anywhere in the country.

Why is it important to look for a good business lawyer?

Your business should have strong legal representation to handle matters like trademark and copyright concerns, zoning compliances and licensing issues. Small business owners and leadership members still learning how to function may need lawyers to teach them basic legal terms and help negotiate contracts.

Things to look for in a good lawyer

An effective lawyer should have experience and be willing to build a strong relationship with you to learn more about your industry. Here are things you should look for in a good lawyer for your business:

Interview questions to ask potential lawyers

When you interview potential lawyers to represent your business, try to find one you can build a strong relationship with who is knowledgeable about both your industry and company. Common interview questions to ask business lawyers include:

Business lawyer FAQs

Below are frequently asked questions organizations may have when hiring a good lawyer: