Are you having problems finding a lawyer who can represent your company the way you need? That isn’t surprising. With 1.3 million lawyers in the United States, you have plenty of options.
The question is, how do you narrow down your choices?
Choosing a business lawyer is one of the most important things you’re going to do for your company. Keep the five things below in mind when considering your business lawyer options.
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1. Integrity
Your lawyer is going to represent your business when they work for you. What they do when they work doesn’t only impact them. It can hurt your company’s reputation, as well.
That’s why you need to find a business lawyer who has integrity. Look through the past clients of a lawyer to look for shady behavior. If they’ve done it before, the chances are good that they’ll do it again.
2. Billing Structures
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution to billing in the business world. You might need a lawyer’s services for an extended period or a few hours. If you stick to something like hourly billing, you’ll pay more in lawyer fees than you need.
Ask your business lawyer about what fee structures they offer. Find the one who fits with your needs at the time, and provides the ability to change things up when your needs change in the future.
3. Industry Experience
Things are complicated enough for lawyers who work in personal law. When it comes to business laws, that complexity goes to another level.
A business lawyer needs to know everything about your industry so they can provide you the best service. Ask them about their past experiences so you can find someone with the skillset for the job.
4. Reviews
Any business lawyer you interview will try to put their best foot forward during your interview with them. They can make themselves sound like the best lawyer out there, but that isn’t always true. Some lawyers are just good at selling.
If you want to get the complete picture of what it’s like working with someone, obtaining references and reviews is essential. Ask for references from past clients and speak to them about their experience.
5. Training Options
A business lawyer isn’t only there to represent you in court. They’re there to make sure your organization follows the law. Sometimes that means changing the way you operate.
Of course, not all operational changes are easy. Sometimes your employees will need some training to make the change. Make sure you talk to your lawyer about employee compliance training options so your team can adapt.
Don’t Take Choosing a Business Lawyer Lightly
You might be able to get away with not hiring a business lawyer when you’re first starting your business. However, the need for legal representation increases once you start growing. Do your due diligence when choosing a business lawyer so you find someone who can help your business when you need it the most.
Do you want to learn more great business advice? Read our latest blog posts to learn everything you need to know.
