How to Find a Business Attorney
If you are a business owner, the fear of getting sued is real. The most effective way to prevent legal issues is to take your time finding the right business attorney. A qualified business attorney will protect your business against issues before they arise. Although it costs money to find a business attorney, it does not need to burn a hole in your wallet.
Now that you understand the importance of business attorneys, let’s go over how to find a good one while remaining cost-effective.
1. Decide Why Your Need A Business Attorney
Keep in mind that business attorneys often have a niche, meaning they focus on specific aspects of practice. Generalist attorneys can help you with a variety of different concerns. An employment lawyer can help explain the applicable laws that apply to the case and the options that the client has.
A generalist may not be the best choice if your issues pertain to one area of focus, like pay transparency.
At the same time, if you need legal advice for different kinds of business concerns, like immigration law, finding a specialist, such as a Phoenix immigration lawyer, is the better option.
Consider your needs based on how your business operates. The business attorney you go with should be a reflection of what your business needs specifically.
You don’t want to wait to hire a business attorney until after problems have already struck. You should make it your goal to hire a business attorney before they occur so that you can be prepared ahead of time.
If you are in the process of selecting your business entity, have concerns about investing and raising capital, are drafting agreements, or are in the process of obtaining trademarks, these are some common reasons to get a business attorney on board now.
2. Find Attorneys Near You
Using your network, try to see if someone you trust is in contact with a qualified business attorney. If you have the same legal concerns as someone you know, utilizing their support may benefit you. If you have no apparent connections, another approach is to use online legal directories.
These resources can provide you with names of business attorneys in your area and specific areas of expertise that coincide with each attorney listing. Additional legal sites are also available for finding business attorneys. Take the feedback on these sites with a grain of salt.
Be sure to meet with potential business attorneys before making your decision so you can get an accurate idea of who they are and how they can help you.
3. Ask Questions To Decide Who To Hire
Once you’ve compiled a list of potential business attorneys, it’s time to set up consultations to discuss your needs. You can use these opportunities to see if the lawyer is the right fit.
Always strive for in-person consultations, so you can get the best idea of who the business attorney is. Ask about their fee structure to make sure it works for you and won’t leave you paying off debt over time.
Ask about their experience and see if they have referrals. Ask if anyone else will be handling your business issues or if they work alone. The goal is to ask the questions you want answers to that will help determine who to hire. Get a feel for how knowledgeable and experienced the business attorney is at what you need assistance with before making your decision.
The Bottom Line
As a business owner, you are already familiar with the process of making new hires, so extend this experience to finding the right business attorney. Take your time and always prioritize your budget, so your attorney becomes part of your team for the long haul.