How to Get a Lawyer for Your Business

Get a Lawyer for Your Business

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Getting a lawyer is a vital step to ensure that your business is set up and flows smoothly. But with so many legal eagles out there, you may be a little overwhelmed with the process of finding a lawyer.

It's not as hard if you follow these easy steps. With a little bit of research and the gift of gab, you can find an attorney that will work with you.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Computer with Internet
Phone Book

Step1

Determine what you need. It's vital to determine what you need from a lawyer before you start looking for business or employment lawyers. Obviously it's different if you're self-employed looking to have a lawyer set up your personal written contract than if you're a large company looking to legally establish itself or incorporate. Make a list of areas you need help with, and be sure to jot down any questions for the lawyer.

Step2

See if they're free. While many lawyers offer free consultations, some do not. You'll probably want to shop around a little, so asking a lawyer upfront if they charge a legal fee to consult them is key. Make sure to lay your cards on the table before you start playing the game. Also talk about fees. Will you need to pay a retainer like in a law case or how much can you hire him or her out for on an hourly basis? These are imperative questions to ask so you know what the business costs will be. Also, check with the lawyer or your accountant to see if those costs are deductible.

Step3

Research lawyers. Thanks to sites like findlaw.com, it's easy to find a lawyer by areas of legal expertise. You can search regionally and learn more about legal practices in your area. By doing a quick Internet search, you can find out a lot about finding a lawyer in your area that has skills and experience in your industry. Also investigate sites that offer referrals and ratings on lawyers in your area.

Step4

Meet your lawyer. Once you know if a lawyer charges you to meet and you've done some research, it's a great idea to set up an appointment. While you can have a meeting on the phone, I recommend going to meet in person. It's your business--so you want to make sure that the lawyer you select really jives with you well.