Lawyers play an essential role throughout the lifespan of a business. Picking the right one can be incredibly beneficial to you. Conversely, picking the wrong one can be detrimental to your business. If you want to select a business lawyer that’s a great fit for your situation, you need to start off with some fundamental information.

What Is a Business Lawyer?

A business lawyer offers services which have to do with the regulation and operation of a business. According to Chicago law firm Roth Fioretti, a business attorney helps with the formation of a business, business disputes, and the sale (or transfer) of a business.

What Else Can a Business Lawyer Do for You?

A business lawyer can be an incredible asset. They can give you advice about how to deal with employees. They can explain what a contract means in a way you can clearly understand. If you’re worried about being taken advantage of in a negotiation, you can have a business lawyer negotiate on your behalf.

A business lawyer can draft documents that protect deals you make under the law. They can defend you if you’re unjustly attacked, and they can assist you with minimizing the damage from a blunder. If you’ve been wronged by someone you had business dealings with, your lawyer can file suit (on your behalf) in order to make sure they’re held responsible.

Who Is Actually Doing the Work?

It’s very routine for lawyers to assign work to legal clerks or paralegals. Even though it’s common, this can have an effect on the quality of the legal services you receive.

A lawyer who delegates extensive amounts of work to a clerk or paralegal might be spending a great deal of time explaining what needs to be done. And if this person isn’t very experienced, it might take them even more time to get the work finished.

Do They Have Any Experience in Your Industry?

A well-versed business lawyer probably has experience with clients from all types of industries. However, your business may have unique aspects to it. Perhaps intellectual property plays a critical role in your business. Does the lawyer you’re evaluating have any experience with intellectual property law?

Maybe franchise agreements or service contracts are really important in your business. Does the lawyer you’re thinking of hiring have any expertise in those areas? Ask each prospective business lawyer if they have any clients in your industry or a similar one. Consider reaching out to them and asking about their dealings with the lawyer.

How Do They Bill Clients?

See to it that you clearly comprehend how your prospective lawyer bills clients prior to retaining their services. Some lawyers charge a consultation fee while others don’t. Some require a retainer.

Some lawyers charge a fixed price for specific services. Others simply charge by the hour. If they do bill by the hour, what time intervals do they bill in?

In Conclusion

Having the right business lawyer in your corner can help you avoid a lot of mistakes. Having the wrong one by your side can cause you to waste a lot of time and money.

Hopefully, the information you’ve just read will take you one step closer to picking the right business lawyer for you.