Are you an entrepreneur trying to lift your new business off the ground, or a seasoned executive looking for legal advice on running your current company? No matter what your situation is, it is imperative that you find the right business lawyer who understands your business’ needs.
Here is what to look for when choosing a business lawyer:
1. Business Lawyer Experience
When you’re hiring a lawyer, you need to pin down what kind of legal help you’re looking for. Specializations within business law include employment law, real estate, litigation, insurance, and taxes, among others.
It’s also a good idea to look into how long the attorney has been working within this specialization of business law. A lawyer with years of experience will be more likely to offer you the quality assistance you require.
2. Good Communication
Open lanes of communication are key to having a good working relationship with your lawyer. If you are working with a firm, you should find out who your contact is and what hours they are available. If you are going into litigation, you should expect to receive regular updates related to your case.
A good lawyer will have open communication with you throughout the length of your case, and should always be willing to answer your questions.
3. A Willingness to Teach
Whether you are new to business or have been running one for a while, it can be hard to understand the legal lingo affecting your work if you’re not already well-versed in it. This is why it’s imperative that your attorney is willing to teach you about the laws and legalities surrounding your business.
The information you learn from your attorney will not only benefit you in your current legal situation, but also give you a more well-rounded knowledge of issues that could affect your business.
4. Connections to a Business Lawyer
No one lawyer is likely to know everything about the laws and legal issues affecting your business, no matter how much experience they have. That’s why there are many different specializations within business law, as well as crossovers between different law practices in general.
Having connections means that a lawyer has more resources to draw upon when working on your case, drawing up contracts, or just giving you legal advice. Just as networking is integral when it comes to working in business, having connections in the legal sphere is important.
If you needed help in one area of your business, you’d reach out to a specialist for assistance. Practicing law works the same way. The more connected your lawyer is, the better they are able to serve you.
5. A Clear Fee Structure
Make sure the lawyer is upfront about what types of fees they charge and when you are expected to pay them. Some firms charge flat fees, some charge by the hour, and some have a combination of fee types.
Most importantly, ask if there are any additional fees that may pop up later, such as court fees or fees for copies of documents.
At Anderson Hunter, we have been serving Everett and the surrounding Snohomish County community for over a hundred years. We are intimately familiar with the business practices in this area.
If you find yourself needing assistance with a business-related endeavor, don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our experienced business attorneys. Contact us today!