how to find a good small business attorney

by Matt Kutch 5 min read

  1. Get a referral from a lawyer who has helped you with personal legal matters. ...
  2. Attend business events & conferences. Startup incubators, industry conferences and business meetups are other great ways to find lawyers. ...
  3. Online legal directories & services. There are several online legal directories and services that give you access to legal help. Have a quick legal question?
  4. Get referrals from other business owners. The final way to find a startup lawyer is simply to ask fellow business owners. ...

Full Answer

Is an attorney essential when starting my business?

 · One of the best ways to retain a lawyer suitable for your small business is through network referrals. Talk to other small business owners or colleagues within your network and ask them to refer you to a lawyer they may have used in the past or are currently working with. Be sure to ask your connection when and how they worked with this lawyer ...

How to find a startup lawyer?

In order to find a small business attorney, you could begin with a search engine and use terms such as “small business lawyer near me”, or “small business attorney near me”. Another method is to contact your state or local bar association. These organizations can sometimes connect you with a lawyer who can help you with your issue.

How to find a LLC lawyer?

 · It’s best to find a lawyer for your small business before you need one. Once you have to go to court, you will likely need a specialist in that type of litigation. A small business lawyer can range from $150 per hour for a junior lawyer at a small firm, while a specialist or senior partners at big firms in major cities can be over $1,000 per hour.

How to create a law firm business plan?

 · Best answer: Just like a doctor, (s)he would get to know you, understand how you got here, where do you want to go with the business and in life. Then gain an understanding of the issue at hand including the background circumstances, what is the end goal, and what are your personal feelings about the issue.

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How to find a good small business attorney?

One good way to locate a reliable small business attorney is to reach out to your network of fellow business owners. — Getty Images/undefined undefined

How to find a small business lawyer?

Another way to look for a small business lawyer is through online resources including social media platforms such as LinkedIn. While it may seem simple to just read the reviews on these sites, be wary as they can house fake sources. Lastly, online services and directories can connect you to a local lawyer in your area based on your legal needs if your network doesn’t offer suggestions and you don’t trust online reviews.

How to retain a lawyer for a small business?

One of the best ways to retain a lawyer suitable for your small business is through network referrals. Talk to other small business owners or colleagues within your network and ask them to refer you to a lawyer they may have used in the past or are currently working with. Be sure to ask your connection when and how they worked with this lawyer to determine if they’re the right fit for your business.

What is a small business attorney?

A small business attorney is a legal professional that exclusively represents small businesses and their owners. Here are a few examples of small business attorneys:

Do small businesses have to pay taxes?

As a small business, you’re required to pay state and federal taxes. These tax requirements can get confusing and lead to mistakes. A tax lawyer can help you remedy these mistakes if the IRS takes legal action.

Is it important to have legal advice for a small business?

As a small business owner, it’s important to have reliable legal advice from a professional you trust. What’s the best way to find a small business attorney and how exactly can they help you in your business endeavors? Check out the tips in this article to find a suitable small business attorney for your needs.

How to find a small business lawyer?

In order to find a small business attorney, you could begin with a search engine and use terms such as “small business lawyer near me”, or “small business attorney near me”. Another method is to contact your state or local bar association. These organizations can sometimes connect you with a lawyer who can help you with your issue.

What are business attorneys?

Business attorneys offer legal services concerned with the operations and regulations of businesses, including small businesses. They generally assist with issues such as: 1 Business formation; 2 Business dispute resolution; 3 Corporate laws; and 4 The sale and transfer of businesses.

What is a small business?

A small business is generally defined as a business that is privately owned, and has less employees as well as less annual revenue than that of a corporation or other sizeable business. This can be a smaller corporation, a partnership, or sole proprietorship. What constitutes small, in terms of applying for government support ...

Should a small business be represented by an attorney?

Should any legal issues arise that result in litigation, it would be best for a small business to be represented by an attorney. While it is entirely possible to represent yourself as a small business owner, it would be far easier to work with a small business attorney who has experience addressing the unique issues you may face.

How difficult is it to find a small business lawyer?

There are many different types of lawyers and it can be confusing to know which one you need and when. A good business lawyer can help you to save money down the road by helping you avoid costly litigation and crippling court fees.

How much does a small business lawyer cost?

Once you have to go to court, you will likely need a specialist in that type of litigation. A small business lawyer can range from $150 per hour for a junior lawyer at a small firm, while a specialist or senior partners at big firms in major cities can be over $1,000 per hour.

How to cut costs for small business?

One way to cut costs could be to hire a small business lawyer who used to work at a large firm and is familiar with several branches. Another way is to look at legal help sites, which often give you firm-level access to lawyers for a monthly fee structure.

What to do if you are sued?

Litigation: If you’ve been sued, you’ll want to hire a lawyer who has experience with mediation, arbitration, and litigation in court.

How to ask other business owners for referrals?

You can ask other business owners for referrals, either people from your network or by posting in online forums like LinkedIn or Reddit. Often, your small business lawyer can refer you to other types of lawyers you may need.

How to find a lawyer in your area?

As with most things we’re not familiar with, Google is a good place to start looking for information. Searching “free consultation” and the type of lawyer you need and the city is one way to find lawyers in your area. Sometimes it can be hugely beneficial to have a lawyer who is familiar with the laws in your state or area, as well as the local business community.

What does a business lawyer do?

Business lawyers help with the legal issues that confront a business during the course of its operations, as well as the forming of business entities: partnerships, corporations, and Limited Liability Companies (LLCs), and new formations as a result of acquisitions and mergers. Not all business lawyers work with startups.

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.

What to bring to a business meeting?

Bring two kinds of information to your meetings with potential lawyers. 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. The association also recommends that you bring all documents related to the matter.

Is a lawyer an attorney?

The terms "lawyer" and "attorney" have a lot in common, but not all lawyers are attorneys.

How to find a tax attorney?

When searching for a tax attorney, choose ones that have experience in dealing with tax law. They should be licensed to be a lawyer and have gone through tax law training, preferably a master’s degree. If you belong to an association for your business, consider asking around for a referral.

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.

How does M&A affect a business?

Contract law and mergers and acquisitions (M&A) will only affect your business if you deal in these areas. If your business is subject to contracts, then you increase the risk. M&A lawyers are probably the least likely you’ll face but could cost you the most as damages from deals are usually for large sums of money.

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 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 to do if you need to terminate an employee?

If you feel you need to terminate an employee, you can discuss the issue with your lawyer. They can determine the best way to handle the situation. If there’s still a legal issue, the lawyer can step in and represent your company.

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