How to Choose a Business Attorney.
1. Identify The Legal Needs Of Your Business. Before looking for an attorney or law firm, first identify the type of legal issues facing your business. All business attorneys fall into 1 of 2 categories (or may fall into both): litigation attorneys handle lawsuits, arbitrations and disputes and transactional attorneys draft agreements and address general business matters.
Conventional wisdom (and many lawyers) will tell you that, if you’re a business owner or manager, you will get yourself in trouble if you don’t have a good business lawyer. But when I hear this, I view this as somewhat of a negative statement, which frankly annoys me. I assume that smart business people do … How to Choose a Great Business Lawyer for Your Business: My Top Ten …
Mar 18, 2020 · How to Choose a Lawyer. The first step in the process of choosing the right lawyer, then, is the research phase. Ideally, you want to start with the names of several lawyers, and, as with the purchase of most other services, personal referrals are often the best place to start. Begin compiling your list by asking friends, neighbors, and ...
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 ...
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.
A small business lawyer can help you draft both partnership agreements and corporate bylaws.
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.
Depending on what type of legal work you need help with, an attorney might charge you a flat fee instead of an hourly rate. This can save you a lot of money, especially on straightforward matters that attorneys handle on a regular basis. Plus, if you’re engaging the same attorney for multiple services, they might offer you a discount or “package deal.” Small business attorneys do this because they know happy clients will come back to them in the future if they need a lawyer again.
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.
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.
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.