Choosing the right legal counsel is a critical decision for any business owner. In this article, six professionals, including a small business lawyer and an attorney, share their insights on this topic. From prioritizing a lawyer’s commitment and interest to considering specialized legal expertise, these are the key factors you should consider.
- Prioritize a Lawyer’s Commitment and Interest
- Match a Lawyer’s Personality and Approach
- Seek Clear and Understandable Communication
- Value Adaptability and Business Understanding
- Ensure the Counsel’s Scalability with Growth
- Consider Specialized Legal Expertise
Prioritize a Lawyer’s Commitment and Interest
When choosing a lawyer for your new business, the most important factor is how badly the lawyer wants to represent you. If the lawyer is too busy or doesn’t care about your business, they won’t put in the necessary effort and care to do the excellent work that your business deserves.
But when you have a lawyer who goes the extra mile to understand your business and align with your mission, that lawyer can craft a customized legal strategy that suits you. This personalized attention will ensure that your business gets started on strong footing.
Adam Yohanan, Small Business Lawyer, YOHANAN PLLC
Match a Lawyer’s Personality and Approach
When selecting legal counsel, one key factor is making sure your attorney is in sync with your personality and budget. Are you looking for a wartime consigliere or a peacemaker?
This is an easy decision when discussing things such as creating employee contracts or structuring buy-sell agreements, but settling disputes brings these differences to the fore rather quickly. If you’re comfortable with some risk, you may want a bold attorney who goes in strong, offering little to no compromise until the last possible second.
Alternatively, you can immediately limit your time and financial investment in the resolution by seeking a compromise. Knowing how you want these situations handled can be essential in selecting the right firm to represent your business’s interests.
Conor Chamberlain, Business Consultant, Sound Business Consulting
Seek Clear and Understandable Communication
A cardinal factor when selecting legal representation is the attorney’s communication style. The right attorney for your business is someone who can explain complex legal jargon in layman’s terms.
After all, the purpose of hiring legal counsel is to navigate the complexity of the law, and this requires an attorney who can clarify this complexity to you in a way you understand. So, it’s crucial to choose an attorney who can communicate effectively.
Marcus Fernandez, Attorney and Co-Owner, KFB Law
Value Adaptability and Business Understanding
The main aim of any business is to grow—from a financial perspective, customer reach, or even experience. Innovation and improvement are two key priorities, and all entities associated with the business must align well with such changes.
So, when considering which legal counsel to depend on, check their capacity for adapting to their client’s needs. Moreover, do they provide support after you ask for it, or do they anticipate your business needs and adjust accordingly? An excellent legal partner will have the ability and time to meet business needs when a situation arises and provide quick and appropriate solutions.
Check how well they understand your business and industry, their quick-thinking ability, and adaptability. Then, hire the professionals for your legal team who can meet your company’s potential requirements as you expand your assets, reach, and resources.
Lyle Solomon, Principal Attorney, Oak View Law Group
Ensure the Counsel’s Scalability with Growth
When selecting legal counsel, consider their ability to scale with your business. Some attorneys excel at serving small enterprises but may need more bandwidth or experience to handle the complexities of business growth. Look for a firm or practitioner with a track record of growing alongside their clients. This way, you can handle the new representation when you’re beginning to scale up.
Alex Freeburg, Owner, Freeburg Law
Consider Specialized Legal Expertise
An attorney’s experience in a particular field of law is one of the most important criteria for business owners to consider when hiring legal counsel. Contracts, intellectual property, employment, and taxation are all covered by business law.
It is critical to choose an attorney who specializes in the legal challenges that your company is facing. For example, choosing an attorney with strong expertise in intellectual property law is critical if you’re dealing with sophisticated intellectual property issues.
They will have the knowledge and experience needed to handle the complexities of your issue, providing specialized legal advice and solutions.
Timothy Allen, Sr. Corporate Investigator, Corporate Investigation Consulting
6 Key Factors to Consider When Choosing Legal Counsel for Your Business
Choosing the right legal counsel is a critical decision for any business owner. In this article, six professionals, including a small business lawyer and an attorney, share their insights on this topic. From prioritizing a lawyer’s commitment and interest to considering specialized legal expertise, these are the key factors you should consider.
- Prioritize a Lawyer’s Commitment and Interest
- Match a Lawyer’s Personality and Approach
- Seek Clear and Understandable Communication
- Value Adaptability and Business Understanding
- Ensure the Counsel’s Scalability with Growth
- Consider Specialized Legal Expertise
Prioritize a Lawyer’s Commitment and Interest
When choosing a lawyer for your new business, the most important factor is how badly the lawyer wants to represent you. If the lawyer is too busy or doesn’t care about your business, they won’t put in the necessary effort and care to do the excellent work that your business deserves.
But when you have a lawyer who goes the extra mile to understand your business and align with your mission, that lawyer can craft a customized legal strategy that suits you. This personalized attention will ensure that your business gets started on strong footing.
Adam Yohanan, Small Business Lawyer, YOHANAN PLLC
Match a Lawyer’s Personality and Approach
One key factor for consideration when selecting legal counsel is making sure your attorney is in sync with your personality and budget. Are you looking for a wartime consigliere or a peacemaker?
This is an easy decision when discussing things such as creating employee contracts or structuring buy-sell agreements, but settling disputes brings these differences to the fore rather quickly. If you’re comfortable with some risk, you may want a bold attorney who goes in strong, offering little to no compromise until the last possible second.
Alternatively, you can limit your time and financial investment in the resolution by seeking compromise immediately. Knowing how you want these situations handled can be essential in selecting the right firm to represent your business’s interests.
Conor Chamberlain, Business Consultant, Sound Business Consulting
Seek Clear and Understandable Communication
A cardinal factor when selecting legal representation is the attorney’s communication style. The right attorney for your business is someone who can explain complex legal jargon in layman’s terms.
After all, the purpose of hiring legal counsel is to navigate the complexity of the law, and this requires an attorney who can clarify this complexity to you in a way you understand. So, it’s crucial to choose an attorney who can communicate effectively.
Marcus Fernandez, Attorney and Co-Owner, KFB Law
Value Adaptability and Business Understanding
The main aim of any business is to grow—from a financial perspective, customer reach, or even experience. Innovation and improvement are two key priorities, and all entities associated with the business must align well with such changes.
So, when considering which legal counsel to depend on, check their capacity for adapting to their client’s needs. Moreover, do they provide support after you ask for it, or do they anticipate your business needs and adjust accordingly? An excellent legal partner will have the ability and time to meet business needs when a situation arises and provide quick and appropriate solutions.
Check how well they understand your business and industry, their quick-thinking ability, and adaptability. Then, hire the professionals for your legal team who can meet your company’s potential requirements as you expand your assets, reach, and resources.
Lyle Solomon, Principal Attorney, Oak View Law Group
Ensure the Counsel’s Scalability with Growth
When selecting legal counsel, consider their ability to scale with your business. Some attorneys excel at serving small enterprises but may need more bandwidth or experience to handle the complexities of business growth. Look for a firm or practitioner with a track record of growing alongside their clients. This way, you will be able to handle new representation when you’re beginning to scale up.
Alex Freeburg, Owner, Freeburg Law
Consider Specialized Legal Expertise
An attorney’s experience in a particular field of law is one of the most important criteria for business owners to consider when hiring legal counsel. Contracts, intellectual property, employment, and taxation are all covered by business law.
It is critical to choose an attorney who specializes in the legal challenges that your company is facing. For example, choosing an attorney with strong expertise in intellectual property law is critical if you’re dealing with sophisticated intellectual property issues.
They will have the knowledge and experience needed to handle the complexities of your issue, providing specialized legal advice and solutions.
Timothy Allen, Sr. Corporate Investigator, Corporate Investigation Consulting
How can I test a lawyer’s level of commitment?
Schedule a preliminary interview or consultation. Pay attention to how well the lawyer listens to you, asks about your business, and shows interest in your challenges and goals.
Do I need a lawyer who specializes in a particular field of law?
Yes, especially if your business faces specialized legal challenges such as intellectual property issues, employment laws, or complex contracts. A specialized lawyer will offer more precise advice.
How do I set a budget for legal services?
Consider the complexity of your legal needs, the market rate for lawyers in your area, and your financial capacity. Make sure to discuss fees upfront with any potential legal counsel.
Can I get recommendations from my network?
Absolutely! In fact, personal recommendations can provide valuable insights that you might not find elsewhere. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your professional network for advice.
Why is geographic location important?
Being in the same geographic area as your lawyer allows easier face-to-face consultations, building a stronger working relationship. However, technology has made remote collaborations easier if necessary.
What should I do if I’m unsure about a lawyer after the initial consultation?
Trust your gut. If something feels off, it might be best to continue your search. Always remember that you can and should compare multiple options before deciding.
