Hiring a qualified lawyer can make the difference between success and failure for your business. Therefore, the decision you make when you choose your lawyer should be taken very seriously.
True, the reason for hiring a business attorney may not be as obvious as hiring an accountant, but it is just as important nonetheless. Your business lawyer will continuously provide you with critical assistance and advice in virtually every level of your company. This can include everything from compliance to zoning laws to copyrighting advice to incorporating your business, and yes, of course, the dreaded lawsuits and liability.
The first decision you will need to make is between a large and a small firm. While it is important to keep in mind that the larger the firm, the higher the cost will be, there are a few advantages that larger firms can offer over small ones. For one thing, lawyers are an extremely specialized lot. Therefore, if you work with a smaller firm, or even an independent attorney, you may not be offered all of the skills that would be available to you at a large firm where there are specialized lawyers in virtually every department. Furthermore, they provide all of these skills in one place, so that you won't need to look for a different specialized lawyer every time a new problem pops up - when it may be too late. Furthermore, they have much more sway in their local, regional, and perhaps even national communities. A letter from a large law firm can hold a lot more power than a letter from a solo attorney.
Next, you will need to make sure that - large or small - the firm you choose has the type of attorneys you need to cater to your needs. The following are the most commonly needed types of lawyers:
With that question answered, you'll want to ask a few questions of the prospective legal representatives, to make sure that they're qualified and suited to your needs and expectations. Among these questions should be a direct one about the individual experience of the lawyers. This is normal practice and they should be expecting it. It is also very important that you know the answer, since the fate of your business may lie in the abilities of your attorney.
You will also want to know if the lawyer is well connected, since it is common for a "different" type of problem to pop up when a lawyer - even a specialized lawyer - may need to seek advice from another professional in the industry. For this, your lawyer will need to have connections.
Lastly, you'll want to ask if the lawyer or the firm has other clients in your industry. This will tell you whether or not your prospective attorney has high amounts of experience in your specific types of requirements.
