questions to ask an attorney when starting your own business

by Hazel Zboncak 10 min read

What are good questions to ask an attorney?

Ask the lawyer A number of questions arise: Can you show the tenant’s demand ... Do you know the expression “no good deed goes unpunished”? Bottom line: Consultation with counsel here also is advisable. Is the tenant’s conduct a breach of the ...

How to evaluate a business attorney?

  • THE FUNDAMENTALS. There are two types of "practice areas" with which you should be familiar - litigation and transactional, Litigation is a lawsuit to resolve a problem or disagreement.
  • THE GENERAL PRACTITIONER. ...
  • LITIGATION SPECIALISTS. ...
  • TRANSACTIONAL SPECIALISTS. ...
  • FULL SERVICE LAW FIRM. ...

What should I ask before hiring an attorney?

  • medical malpractice
  • car accidents
  • animal bites
  • slip and fall
  • products liability
  • defamation, and
  • assault and battery

How do you know the right business questions to ask?

How to Ask the Right Question in the Right Way

  1. Avoid asking rhetorical questions. A rhetorical question is a figure of speech in the form of a question. ...
  2. Ask friendly, clarifying questions. A good question lets you better understand the situation, and this requires not putting people on the defensive.
  3. Don’t set traps. ...
  4. Ask open-ended questions. ...
  5. Be grateful. ...
  6. Avoid stress. ...
  7. Avoid being too direct. ...

More items...

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How Should I Structure My Business?

This seems like a basic question, but it’s actually one of the most important things you can ask when you sit down with a business attorney.

How Do I Protect My Personal Assets?

Regardless of the specific structure you choose for your business, you want to structure your business to protect your non-business assets.

How Do I Minimize My Risk?

Regardless of the type of business you own, there is a huge range of state and federal regulations that apply to you.

What Should Be in My Bylaws?

Part of this process of minimizing risk and protecting your assets involves writing your bylaws properly.

How Can I Protect My Intellectual Property?

All businesses, yours included, need certain trademarks to identify themselves from other businesses.

What Contracts Does My Business Need?

Contracts are one of the most basic things you deal with on a day-to-day basis in your business. But they’re central to successfully running a business, as they spell out your responsibilities and obligations in any agreement.

More Questions to Ask an Attorney

Now that you know what questions to ask an attorney, you need to find an attorney to answer them for you.

What are the legal ramifications of starting a business?

There are several legal ramifications of starting a business. It can lead to issues related to liability, copyright, employee rights and everything in between. So one of the first steps you should take as you work to get your business off the ground is speak with an experienced business attorney.

What happens if a business has an outside investor?

If your business has any outside investors, it could impact the type of corporate entity you’re able to establish for your business. Specifically, you need to be sure that the structure provides a corporate shield for your investors as well as yourself.

Can a business attorney help you make sure your name of choice is available?

And you also need to be sure that you’re not infringing on any existing copyrights or trademarks with your name choice. So a business attorney can help you make sure your name of choice is available and walk you through the necessary paperwork.

Do you need a lawyer for a business?

Once your business starts working with vendors, suppliers, clients, or any other third parties, you’ll need written agreements in place to ensure that all parties involved know what to expect. A lawyer can help you draft specifics or at least walk you through the creation of some templates that you can use in common situations.

What is the number one candidate for entrepreneurs who are more comfortable with working alone?

The sole proprietorship is the number one candidate for entrepreneurs who are more comfortable with working alone. From the phrase itself, it is easy to derive that the owner of the business is just one person who is most likely to be the manager as well.

Is it risky to start a business?

But starting a business can be a very risky venture. The more you plan and strategize before you start your business, the more likely you will be able to succeed. Here are the 5 top questions to ask a business lawyer before starting a business. Before you start your business, make sure yourself you ask the following….

Written By

Jane Porter is a freelance writer and editor based in Brooklyn, NY. You can find more of her work at Janeroseporter .com

Jane Porter

Jane Porter is a freelance writer and editor based in Brooklyn, NY. You can find more of her work at Janeroseporter .com

What is a business lawyer?

A business lawyer is a person best suited for helping you make that decision. Both sole proprietorships and general partnerships view the business and the owner as the same entity, so if there are debts or legal issues, you would be held liable.

What are the consequences of failing to take legal action?

Failure to take such actions can result in: Fines. Penalties. Legal liability. Business closure. By consulting with a seasoned attorney, you can establish that you’re currently operating within the boundaries of the law.

Why do I need a small business attorney?

Finally, you will want a small business attorney if you are planning on hiring employees. They will help you create an employee handbook or a list of policies that dictate employee expectations, fair treatment, conduct, consequences, and more.

What do I need to know before opening a business?

Before you open up shop, you need to make sure your business is operating 100 percent within the confines of the law. A small business attorney will make sure you have everything you need to prevent any lawsuits or fines from the city.

What do I need to start a small business?

When you start a small business, you need to make sure you and your assets are protected. A small business attorney can help guide you through the different types of insurance policies you will need and how much coverage you should get.

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Structuring Your Business

Protecting Your Personal Assets

Choosing A Name

Protecting Investors

Establishing Ownership Responsibilities

Creating Internal Bylaws

Adhering to Compliance Practices

Making Sure You’Re Covered with Insurance

Creating Vendor Contracts

  • Once your business starts working with vendors, suppliers, clients, or any other third parties, you’ll need written agreements in place to ensure that all parties involved know what to expect. A lawyer can help you draft specifics or at least walk you through the creation of some templates that you can use in common situations.
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