How to Find a Business Lawyer

No matter what type of business you run, you will eventually need a lawyer’s help. Read on to discover some things you need to know about hiring a business lawyer and what you should expect in order to make the right decision.

What is a Business Lawyer?

Business lawyers handle business formations, contract writing, and much more. Business lawyers have typically specialized in the areas of:

• Real estate: buying, selling, and leasing real estate and property
• Employment: issues the laws surrounding employer-employee relationships, along with hiring and firing practices
• Taxes: how to plan for taxes and how to deal with tax agencies
• Litigation: when disputes evolve into lawsuits.

The first step in finding a business lawyer is determining what kind of lawyer handles your specific situation. If you’re looking for help purchasing an office building, you’ll need a lawyer with a different area of expertise than someone who’s defending against an employment lawsuit.

When Should I Hire a Business Lawyer?

As your business grows, you’ll likely find yourself in need of a business lawyer. A business lawyer can provide services like incorporating, signing leases on new office buildings, dealing with taxes, and hiring/firing of employees. You may wish to hire a business lawyer in the event of any disputes or violations under business laws.

Business lawyers handle various legal matters, including:

• Buying and selling a business
• Filing incorporation documents
• Drafting/reviewing business contracts

Your lawyer can represent you in court to help you obtain a suitable remedy for your situation. Also, your attorney can assist you in the event of a legal dispute such as a breach of contract or a violation of business laws.

One aspect of business operations that often gets overlooked is that of business planning. It is recommended that you hire a business lawyer before you begin planning- that way, your lawyer can provide you with legal advice during planning. Many costly errors can be avoided in the future through proper business planning.

I’d Like to Learn How to Find a Lawyer. Do You Have Any Advice?

Even if you know what you’re looking for, you will need to know where to find a lawyer.

For example, most phone books have a limited selection of business attorneys to choose from. Lawyer listings in phone books may be getting smaller as more lawyers post their information on websites. Also, phone book listings and ads don’t allow you to learn much about a lawyer’s career background (such as their record of wins/losses in court).

Another method is to contact a state or local bar association. Sometimes these organizations can connect you with a lawyer who can help you with your issue. However, these routes for finding a business lawyer can take some time and may be a hit-or-miss. Also, many bar associations don’t do direct referrals.

How Do I Meet With Potential Lawyers?

Once you’ve found some potential business lawyers, you may want to think about how to choose the right lawyer from your list. It’s important to meet or talk to lawyers on the phone before hiring one. You are the one doing the hiring. A lawyer may work closely with you and learn sensitive information about your business, so you should only hire an attorney you trust.

Bring two kinds of information with you to your meetings with potential lawyers. First, bring information about your business or your case. A business lawyer will need to understand your situation in order to make recommendations. Write down notes before the meeting, outlining what you know about the situation and what you don’t know. Consider bringing all documents related to the matter with you to the meeting.

Next, bring with you a list of questions. You may have questions relating to your business concerns. Additionally, you should have questions for the attorney. Consider asking your attorney:

• How long have you practiced this kind of law? Ask this question to find out how much experience your lawyer has and the experience the attorney has in the type of law that’s relevant to your case.
• How will I be updated about my case? Ask not only how often you’ll hear from the lawyer but who in the office is the point of contact. This is information that you’ll want.
• What are the attorney’s fees, and what do they include? You are the client, and you are entitled to know this information before you hire an attorney. You may be charged for court fees, copies of documents, and other incidentals as your case proceeds. In order to avoid unpleasant surprises, clarify all costs at the outset.

As you search for a business lawyer, try to find an attorney who clearly communicates and demonstrates a level of expertise in the area of law you’re interested in. Beware of lawyers who avoid answering fees, making promises, or rushing through the meeting.

Many attorneys offer free half-hour or one-hour consultations to meet with potential clients. A consultation is a good way to find out if an attorney will suit your business needs without making a commitment. It is important to build an attorney-client relationship. Make sure your lawyer is willing to make time for you. If possible, meet with the attorney in person. By doing so, you’ll get a better sense of the attorney’s personality. This will help you determine if you will work well together.

Knowing what to expect can reduce some of the stress that comes with finding a lawyer for the first time. By arming yourself with knowledge about how to hire the right lawyer for your business, you can move forward with confidence that you’re putting your financial future in competent hands.

How Do I Find a Business Lawyer Online?

Learning how to find commercial lawyers over the internet may be simpler than placing numerous phone calls. One good place to start is LegalMatch.com. LegalMatch provides a free attorney-client matching service tailored to each client’s individual needs. You can post information related to your business claim using our online form.

Once your case is posted, attorneys in your area will be able to view what you posted. You should receive an e-mail response from a qualified business lawyer within 1-3 business days. You can also view lawyer profiles and reviews through the LegalMatch website.

Additionally, most good attorneys have large networks. They will be able to refer you to other business lawyers if you need help with something that doesn’t fall within their area of expertise. Some attorneys may avoid providing referrals because they don’t want to lose out on business. Make sure you know where your attorney stands on this issue because it’s likely that your business may need help with a wide range of legal issues over time.

You can avoid wasting valuable time and resources trying to figure out how to find a lawyer. Present your case today and receive a prompt response from a business lawyer in your area.

If you don’t know how to find a business lawyer, a good place to start is through the internet. Some websites provide directories that list lawyers who may be of assistance. This is generally preferable over older methods such as phone book listings and advertisements.