what to look for in a corporate attorney

by Lisandro Runte V 6 min read

Here are things you should look for in a good lawyer for your business: How much experience they have Some lawyers specialize in different legal fields, so you should search for one with extensive knowledge and experience in your legal matter. If you need to hire a lawyer for a large case, find one who has worked in similar cases.

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 business lawyer.
Oct 15, 2020

Full Answer

What to look for when hiring a lawyer?

Three Things to Look for in a Good Lawyer for Your Business. Unexpected legal matters can occur that businesses may be unsure of how to resolve. It’s best to find a reliable lawyer who understands how your company operates and efficiently fixes the issue. When searching for an effective business lawyer, find one who has the experience, knowledge and professionalism …

What is it like to be a corporate attorney?

 · What are the top qualities a business lawyer should have? 1. Expertise Experience is important when it comes to choosing a good business law attorney. Make sure you choose one... 2. Reliability This is an obvious one, but any attorney who practices business law in Muscatine should be highly... 3. ...

How do I choose a lawyer for my Small Business?

 · Find someone that is trustworthy and makes you feel comfortable. Mutual respect is also important. A lawyer who will work hard for you, exercise good judgment, and be thorough and thoughtful in the process is a valuable asset. 9. Availability. Does the lawyer you want to hire have enough time to dedicate to your case? How is their caseload?

What makes a good lawyer?

 · Five qualities that make a good corporate lawyer 1. Technical: Knowing the law. The most important quality is to know the law well and have conceptual clarity — there is... 2. Attitude: Ready to make that extra effort. The life of a corporate lawyer (like many other top professions) might... 3. ...

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What 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?

What should a corporate lawyer expect?

Corporate lawyers structure transactions, draft documents, negotiate deals, attend meetings and make calls toward those ends. A corporate lawyer works to ensure that the provisions of an agreement are clear, unambiguous and won't cause problems for their client in the future.

What skills do you need to be a corporate lawyer?

Corporate lawyers should have excellent writing, communication, and negotiating skills because these skills are relied upon so heavily in day-to-day corporate law work.

What are four things that you should find out about in looking for an attorney?

Five Things to Look For When Hiring an AttorneyEXPERIENCE. One of the most important things to look for in a potential attorney is experience – i.e. experience the lawyer and their law firm have in handling matters similar to those which you are facing. ... LEGAL FEES. ... COMMUNICATION. ... AVAILABILITY. ... HONEST ADVICE.

Are corporate lawyers happy?

Some aspect of legal culture encourages overwork — an aspect most prevalent in the large corporate law firms, known collectively as Big Law. Survey after survey tells us that Big Law associates are unhappy. By some measures, they collectively constitute the least happy workers in the U.S.

What is the difference between corporate lawyer and criminal lawyer?

Corporate Law – Lawyers who take care of a business' legal boundaries. Criminal Law – Lawyers ensuring every citizen to abide by the laws. Energy Law – Lawyers to oversee the taxation of energy and approving licences to industries.

Why did you choose corporate law?

The job of a corporate lawyer is diverse and hence demands the knowledge of various fields like tax, merger, criminal law, risk, to perform better. You can be a part of any business vertical, be it insurance, marketing, food, luxury, telecom, retail, hospitality, or even the government.

Why are corporate lawyers important?

Corporate lawyers work with corporations to make sure all of their transactions are legal by providing advice on their rights and obligations. Essentially, they work to make sure corporations are making decisions that provide the most benefit while remaining legal.

What does a corporate lawyer do day to day?

A typical day involves being on the phone or in meetings with clients or colleagues working through deal-specific or governance-related issues, negotiating transaction documents with opposing counsel, or working on regulatory filings in connection with a transaction.

What are 3 questions you should ask a lawyer before hiring?

Below are ten questions to ask your potential lawyer.How long have you practiced law? ... What type of cases do you generally handle? ... Who is your typical client? ... How many cases have you represented that were similar to mine?More items...•

What are some questions you should ask a lawyer?

Questions to Ask Your Lawyer During a Consultation1) What kind of experience do you have with similar cases?2) What would be your strategy for my case?3) Are there any alternatives to going to court?4) What are my possible outcomes?5) Who will actually handle my case?6) What is my role in my case?More items...•

How do I choose an attorney?

How To Choose the Right Lawyer: Ten Points to Consider When Selecting an AttorneyIdentify Your Legal Problem and Use a Specialist. ... Make Sure the Attorney has the Right Experience. ... Expect the Attorney to be a Good Communicator. ... Consider the Attorney's Professionalism.More items...

What to do before meeting with a lawyer?

Before you meet with or call your lawyer, have the necessary documents with you and know exactly what you want to discuss.

What does it mean when a lawyer speaks in legalese?

Ability to communicate. If the lawyer speaks in legalese and doesn't bother to explain the terms he or she uses, you should look for someone else.

How much does an attorney charge per hour?

Attorneys charge anywhere from $50 to $1,000 or more per hour, depending on the location, size and prestige of the firm as well as the lawyer's reputation and experience. Shop around to get quotes from several firms before making a decision. However, beware of comparing one attorney with another on the basis of fees alone.

What to do if you think one method will work better than another?

If you think one method will work better for you than another, don't hesitate to bring it up with the attorney; many will offer flexible arrangements to meet your needs.

Should entrepreneurs consult with an attorney?

Some entrepreneurs wait until something goes wrong to consult with an attorney, but in today's litigious society, that isn't the smartest idea.

What is corporate attorney?

A corporate attorney is one of the highly misunderstood areas of law. But what they do is actually a very important practice that affects many aspects of daily life.

Why is a corporate lawyer important?

In either setting, a corporate lawyer is critical to the success of a business and keeping it in line with the law.

Why is it important to consult with an attorney?

But it is critically important to at least consult with an attorney on your business dealings to make sure that things are in order. That is much less of a hassle than dealing with problems that may come as a result of not following the law.

Why is corporate law interesting?

A corporate attorney or business lawyer has an interesting job, which is saying a lot because the whole law industry can be interesting. One thing that makes the responsibilities of a corporate attorney stand out is that they need to have a lot of outside knowledge in order to do their job right.

What is the best way to broker a business deal?

Having a moderate understanding of financing and business is really crucial to brokering good deals. Often a corporate attorney will be the one who drafts proposals and things of that nature so compelling writing skills are also necessary.

What is the role of corporate law?

A very important part of working in corporate law is giving legal advice and counsel to the business and its employees.

What is an attorney at law?

An attorney at law is someone who is trained in law and practices. This means that they have gone through the schooling process, passed the bar exam, and met any other requirements to work in the court system in their area. A lawyer, on the other hand, is someone who has been trained in law but is not practicing.

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:

Why do corporate lawyers need to be good at writing?

Corporate lawyers should have excellent writing, communication, and negotiating skills because these skills are relied upon so heavily in day-to-day corporate law work.

Where do corporate lawyers work?

In many cases, corporate lawyers work in large or mid-size law firms that have corporate law departments. Many corporate lawyers have specialties or areas of corporate law that they focus on such as M&A, venture capital, or securities.

What is corporate governance?

Corporate governance: Helping clients create the framework for how a firm is directed and controlled, such as by drafting articles of incorporation, creating bylaws, advising corporate directors and officers on their rights and responsibilities, and other policies used to manage the company

What is the role of a corporate lawyer?

The role of a corporate lawyer is to advise clients of their rights, responsibilities, and duties under the law. When a corporate lawyer is hired by a corporation, the lawyer represents the corporate entity, not its shareholders or employees. This may be a confusing concept to grasp until you learn that a corporation is actually treated ...

Why is it important to have a lawyer on board?

It's always a good idea to have a lawyer on board to craft your business' managing documents, review contracts, and help you make other strategy decisions.

What is contract review?

Contracts: Reviewing, drafting, and negotiating legally-binding agreements on behalf of the corporation, which could involve everything from lease agreements to multi-billion dollar acquisitions

Do corporate lawyers have multiple clients?

Additionally, many corporate lawyers have multiple clients in different industries, which means they must be willing to learn the ins and outs of those unique industries.

What to consider when choosing a lawyer?

While there are many professional things to consider when choosing a lawyer, their character should also factor into your decision. Find someone that is trustworthy and makes you feel comfortable. Mutual respect is also important.

What is a good attorney?

A good attorney should also take the time to explain complicated matters, provide you with plain English advice on your situation, and present you with an array of options or solutions to mull over before deciding on a plan of action

How to get legal advice from a lawyer?

Establishing proactive communication at the beginning is excellent advice. Having proper communication with your attorney would be a great way to get the legal advice you need. Checking with potention attorneys to see how well they communicate with you and how comfortable you are talking to them could help you find the best one for you.

How to avoid missed meetings?

Often, between paperwork and meetings, there can be a tendency to fall out of touch. Try to establish proactive communication at the beginning. Mention your preferred form of communication and discuss your hours, so you are both on the same page . This will prevent missed meetings or phone calls.

What to do when you hire someone to perform a service?

When you hire someone to perform a service or offer advice, you want to ensure that they know their stuff. You may need to ask for referrals from people who have worked with them before. You can also seek out referral services online who can pair you with a locally certified lawyer suited to your needs.

Why is finding a lawyer important?

Most importantly, finding a lawyer that fits your needs, your budget, and your welfare is going to give you peace of mind because you will trust that they are looking out for your best interests.

How to find out about a lawyer's practice history?

You can find out information about their practicing history by simply asking them, or checking out their firm’s website (if they have one). An attorney with more experience may be more valuable, but only if their experience matches your situation, as well as your budget.

What is the most important quality in corporate law?

The most important quality is to know the law well and have conceptual clarity — there is no substitute for this. If one wants to succeed in the world of corporate laws, one needs to be technically sound in particular in contract law, Companies Act and other corporate laws (e.g takeover code and listing rules).

Is it a must to have good attention to detail?

It is an absolute must to have good attention to detail at all times. Given the nature of work firms like mine do, there is no margin of error. Small mistakes could significantly cost our clients (and the firm) and therefore it is a must to ensure that one works on this quality from the start.

Is corporate law fun?

The world of corporate law is always evolving (and sometimes faster than one expects), which makes it fun. Every now and then, you have new laws, legal structures and products being introduced in the market. One needs to be keen to learn (and at times, unlearn) and take up new challenges.

Is it hard to become a corporate lawyer?

If someone was to ask me how difficult is it to become a corporate lawyer, I would say that it is not at all difficult. But what is difficult is to become a good one! And to be able to achieve that you need to start early.

Is corporate law hard work?

The life of a corporate lawyer (like many other top professions) might look glamorous to many, but it requires a lot of hard work. There are times when one would have to sacrifice weekends for clients and other team members. One needs to be ready to do that — to take on more work and share someone’s workload demonstrates a positive attitude and work commitment. This is a stepping stone towards becoming a “dependable” lawyer, in my view.

What are the skills of an attorney?

On a fundamental level, attorneys are communicators. They communicate with their clients, they communicate with other parties to the case, and they communicate with the court. Beyond that, lawyers communicate in a wide range of different ways.

How creative are lawyers?

When you think about the job of an attorney, creativity may not be the first trait that comes to your mind. However, contrary to the popular conceptions of most people, successful attorneys are often highly creative people. The law is not purely a science. There is an art to effective legal practice. Remember, each client that an attorney deals with will have their own unique set of goals, objectives, and concerns. In some cases, ‘outside-the-box’ thinking can help craft a solution that the client may never even realize was possible. Successful lawyers know how to tailor their creativity to suit every situation. All cases should be approached with an open mind.

How do lawyers persevere?

Finally, successful lawyers know how to persevere. The law is a tough field. There is no reason to sugar coat it; practicing law can be one of the most rewarding and meaningful careers out there, but it’s also a lot of work. As is true with any profession, success requires effort. There will be difficult days. You may be stuck dealing with a client who is making your life unnecessarily hard, an opposing counsel who is being rude for no reason, or a judge who rules the wrong way on a key procedural matter. You may simply be frustrated because you spilled hot coffee on your shirt that morning. It happens. What sets successful attorneys apart from ordinary attorneys is that they know how to persevere through the challenging times to get to the rewarding and meaningful moments that make it all worth it.

What does an attorney do after an accident?

Whether it’s by helping them through a difficult family law matter, protect ing them against false charges , or securing fair financial compensation after an accident, attorneys advocate for people during some of the most challenging times in their life. Lawyers matter.

Why is it important to have a good attorney?

Whether it’s by helping them through a difficult family law matter, protecting them against false charges, or securing fair financial compensation after an accident, attorneys advocate for people during some of the most challenging times in their life. Lawyers matter.

What is the most underrated trait of an attorney?

Willingness to Listen. One of the most underrated traits shared by almost every successful attorney is a strong ability and willingness to listen. Although strong listening is a part of overall communication skills, it’s important to highlight listening as its own professional trait.

How do lawyers communicate?

A great lawyer knows how to get important ideas across in formal legal writing, in informal emails, in phone conversations, through discussions in official legal settings, and in private conversations.

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Attorney vs Lawyer

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The first thing we need to distinguish is the difference between an attorney and a lawyer. This may be the very biggest misunderstanding regarding the law. An attorney at law is someone who is trained in law and practices. This means that they have gone through the schooling process, passed the bar exam, and met an…
See more on halt.org

Corporate Law

  • Corporate lawis the study of the rights and standards of conduct for businesses, corporations, or organizations. It is sometimes called business or enterprise law as well. Basically anything pertaining to the inner workings and dealings of a company fall within this study of law. This area of law covers any type of organization from the very beginning to the very end. It is important to …
See more on halt.org

Corporate Attorney

  • A corporate attorney or business lawyer has an interesting job, which is saying a lot because the whole law industry can be interesting. One thing that makes the responsibilities of a corporate attorney stand out is that they need to have a lot of outside knowledge in order to do their job right. Having a moderate understanding of financing and bus...
See more on halt.org

Law Firms vs Individual Companies

  • There are two places that a corporate attorney might work. The first is in a firm where they have multiple clients and possibly multiple specialties within that company. This corporate law firmhas a variety of clients who come to them for all of their legal questions. Working for a law firm has its advantages in that the attorney gets to see a lot of variety and help a lot of different businesses. …
See more on halt.org

Find A Corporate Attorney

  • If you own a business it may be tempting to think that you don’t need a corporate attorney. Maybe you are small and don’t broker many major deals. But it is critically important to at least consult with an attorney on your businessdealings to make sure that things are in order. That is much less of a hassle than dealing with problems that may come as a result of not following the law. A cor…
See more on halt.org