Finding The Right Small Business Lawyer
Finding a small business lawyer isn’t the same as finding a personal lawyer; you need an attorney who specializes in small businesses and has sufficient experience to represent you. It is also a suited idea to further specify that you’d like a small business lawyer who has worked with small businesses in your industry to maximize your success. Above all, you need an attorney who can devote adequate time to your miniature business and who can satisfy all claims that might be filed against you.
One of the best ways to find the suitable small business lawyer is through referrals. When an attorney comes highly recommended by a client, you can usually trust that he or she will be right for your business. You can also get referrals from other professionals you consume, such as your accountant, your banker or your marketing consultant. Often, small business owners rely on attorney referral services, but you have to realize that those businesses are paid to effect referrals — they aren’t necessarily based on objective experience.
If you can’t pick up a referral through a friend or trusted professional, your next best bet in finding a dinky business lawyer is to use the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, which can be accessed through Lawyers.com. This directory contains not only listings for attorneys all over the U.S., but also a rating system that is based on the reviews of other legal professionals.
Once you have garnered a list of acceptable prospects, you’ll need to interview each runt business lawyer and find out exactly where their differences lie. Some attorneys will have higher fees than others and some will be more available with their time. Depending on the nature of your small business, you’ll need to make an educated decision based on your need and your available monetary resources.
The most important characteristic of the right small business lawyer is a willingness to respond your questions at length. If the attorney is rushed or doesn’t seem to have time to answer your questions, you’re better off taking your business elsewhere. Many attorney-client contracts are filled with legal jargon that can be difficult to understand, so your small business lawyer should be willing to explain everything to you.
He or she should also be open about fees, including retainer fees and other deposits or monthly payments. Talk about any expenses you’ll need to cover, such as phone calls or photocopies or traveling. The right small business lawyer will be open and unprejudiced with you from the get-go, so look for signs that the attorney is avoiding your questions or trying to evade full disclosure.
Once you’ve narrowed the candidates down to two or three, your final decision should be based on personality. The right small business lawyer will “mesh” with your company culture and will manufacture you feel at ease during conversations. Choose an attorney with whom you have a strong rapport and to whom you wouldn’t mind seeking advice. After all, he or she will be your legal counsel.
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Filed under Small Business Phone Lines by on Nov 6th, 2011. 