how to find a small business attorney

by Johan Feeney 9 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?

Jul 14, 2021 · Where to look for a small business attorney. 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.

How to find a startup lawyer?

Jan 31, 2022 · A small business attorney is a lawyer who only serves small businesses and their owners. Here are some instances of small business lawyers: General Business Lawyer. This type of attorney offers general legal business assistance on various topics. This attorney is best suited for companies that do not require specialized legal counsel or ...

How to find a LLC lawyer?

Jul 24, 2020 · 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?

Here are four ways to find qualified attorneys to help you with your business. ASK FOR REFERRALS FROM TRUSTED PEERS. If you have any colleagues who are in your line of business, ask them for recommendations. Personally, I like working with people who come referred by someone I trust. You can ask friends of friends or join some Facebook groups or LinkedIn …

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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 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.

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.

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.

How to choose a lawyer for a company?

You’ll also want to ask yourself some important questions when deciding on who is the best person to represent your company: 1 Do you like the lawyer? If they make you feel pressured, or undervalued, you should consider finding a new lawyer. Ultimately, they work for you. 2 Are they responsive? It’s okay if they’re not available occasionally. If it’s a regular thing, then it can also be time to find someone else.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 ...

Is M&A a complicated process?

M&A is a complicated process, and trying to do this without an M&A lawyer is not a wise decision. The documentation process is another complicated aspect of M&A deals. It’s likely for small business owners to overlook the needed documents. M&A lawyers know about the documents and filings.

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.

Can you use templates for a business contract?

Many business owners use templates found on the internet for their contracts. These may work, but could cause your business legal problems, as templates won’t cover the specifics for your business.

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.

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