Before talking about business law, it is important to discuss what business lawyers actually are. There are many types of lawyers that have different skills and specialties. Some of these specialists are prosecuting or defending criminals while others are involved in civil rights cases. Not all lawyers are created equal.
The business lawyer is hard to define because its specialty is wide. The job involves being well-rounded and being able to deal with many legal topics associated with businesses. This can include negotiating deals, litigating in court, consulting, reviewing contracts and much more.
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What Does The Business Lawyer Do?
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Simply put, according to representatives of Jacobson Law, a lawyer specialized in business law helps the owner to solve any problem that might appear. Also, business attorneys offer consulting services so that owners can understand problems. This includes problems that appear now and that might appear in the future.
What are the problems that business owners face?
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- Opening A Startup – Something like choosing between an S Corp and an LLC can be very confusing. Also, making a bad decision can lead to many serious problems in the future
- Writing a contract – Do you know what forms are mandatory when a client is brought in or when an employee is hired? Most owners do not and need the services of a specialist that can draft strong contracts.
- Disputing contracts – The owner might need to dispute a contract. Also, contracts signed in the past can be disputed. The attorney helps guide the owner through this highly complex process.
Mergers – Any merger needs to be handled with care since mistakes made during this transition can literally bankrupt the company or lead to serious legal problems. - Dealing with claims and issues – You can be the best possible owner in terms of being prepared and can still be faced with problems that are related to discrimination, workspace safety, sexual harassment, and sick leave. The legal representative can educate clients on the best practices and applicable laws. Legal representation is also offered when issues appear.
- Risk management and compliance – Established and new businesses alike can consult a specialist to get advice about compliance issues with the purpose of minimizing risk.
- Property disputes – Whenever property disputes or real estate disputes happen, legal counsel can step in to protect the client. Learn about real estate arbitration at ADR Times.
Will The Business Lawyer Go To Court?
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Most business lawyers have the necessary experience and skills to go to court. However, this is something that is done only when needed, even if the attorney is an expert litigator. The reason for this is that most legal business-related issues are solved out of court. This is preferred to not negatively affect the image of a company. At the same time, it will save money and time for firm owners.
When Should You Contact A Specialist?
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Generally speaking, the answer to this question is “as soon as possible”. Something that seems to be trivial and simple or a misunderstanding can end up costing thousands of dollars. Just a quick consultation can often lead to preventing huge costs.
Company owners often think that they do not need lawyers because they can handle situations alone. In reality, whenever the law comes into place, the best thing you can do is to hire a specialized attorney. You might just need some legal advice or the specialist you hire might need to go to court. When thinking about the law, it is better to be safe. You actually save money when you hire specialized legal counsel. This is a concept that is not properly understood by most people.
On the whole, the business lawyer helps the organization to deal with simple and complex law-related topics that exist or that might exist in the future. They help save time and money and are a vital asset for any company out there, small or corporation.
Where To Find A Good Attorney
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Unfortunately, most businessmen do not know where to find a very good lawyer to represent their company. Obviously, word-of-mouth is a perfect starting point. You can always talk to professionals you know, associates, friends, and relatives for recommendations. Also, you can consider the following sources:
- Professional or trade organizations and the Chamber of Commerce can give you referrals. Such organizations can even offer reduced group rates when some specific legal services are needed.
- The state or local bar association is another great place to look for suitable candidates. You can also consider some prepaid legal service plans. These are created for the smaller organizations that do not have a large budget for legal help.
- A lawyer you know can also help you find an experienced attorney, even if your acquaintance’s specialization is different.
Before You Hire The Lawyer
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Hiring a business lawyer is similar to a trade transaction. In this regard, it is always smart to do the following before you hire the attorney so you can be sure you meet someone honest:
- Get bids for legal services. If an hourly rate is quoted, see if it includes secretarial time or overhead expenses.
- Talk to at least 3 lawyers before your final choice is made. Remember that you have to feel completely comfortable with your attorney as you will confide in him/her.
- Always avoid people that are overextended, procrastinate or that are too aggressive.
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After the business lawyer is interviewed, simply write down the impressions you had. Make sure to focus on how well you were listened to, try to evaluate weaknesses and strengths and always analyze whether or not the attorney showed true applicable law knowledge. Also, stay away from the attorneys that do not fully explain the billing practices and fee structures used. There is a very good possibility that they just want you to pay them and do not care about your well-being or the success of your company.
The relationship you have with your business lawyer is always important. You have to be very clear with the attorney about expectations and objectives. In return, you need to be offered the same courtesy. If an attorney asks you something, you need to answer as honestly as you can, without withholding information. This cannot be done if you do not trust the attorney.
