Obtain the Right Business Attorney
My mentor Brendon Burchard explained "never let your enterprise make you small minded." Think about yourself as the CEO. Every great CEO surrounds him/herself with really bright people.You need some smart attorneys in your corner.
You probably don't think you need a business attorney. However when you find out you need one, it's usually too late. Even when you think its not necessary an attorney right now, it is critical to have relationships with one. You won't ever know when you will require one.
Smart business attorneys can prevent problems from happening. Even though it can cost you money to employ one, the money you spend could be lower than the money it would cost you to deal with a major problem. You need an attorney that is in your corner. You need someone that can protect you from doing things the wrong way.
Venture out and network and establish relationships with a few several types of attorneys:
A small business transactional attorney (contracts and business deals)
An employment law attorney (inquire further about employee handbooks)
An intellectual property attorney (patents/copyrights/trademarks)
Litigation attorney (just tell them about your biz)
Listed below are 8 things you have to know when working with attorneys
1. If you work with clients, suppliers, vendors a lawyer can make a contract that protects you. It's better to be safe than sorry. The devil is in the facts... CYA big style here. I can't let you know how many clients of mine have gotten screwed because they didn't have their clients sign an extremely good contract.
2. Hire a business attorney who specializes in the area you will need. There is only so far a general attorney may take you before s/he must refer you out to a specialist. For example, if you need a lawyer to draft contracts that you can use together with your clients, don't hire a family law attorney.
3. If you hire a lawyer that is clearly a solopreneur and not section of a big firm, you will most likely pay a lesser hourly rate. While that may great, it's important so that you can understand that your attorney might possibly not have usage of the resources a larger firm does - other attorneys, more support staff, etc.
4. Hire an attorney by way of a referral. Get references and call them. Also check linked in.
5. Hire a small business attorney that believes in you and your business. They have to buy into your vision and give you support as you grow. Get them to an advocate for you personally, and work with you. For example, should they say "you can't do this," maybe they should brainstorm with one to see "how you can do that."
6. Be clear what's on the clock and what's off the clock. Most attorneys work hourly. Their time is money. If you ask them to do something, be sure to know upfront how much it's going to set you back. The last thing you want is really a financial surprise. Be sure you understand how they bill for once you send them emails.
7. Assuming you have created a product or service, you may need to file a trademark with the US patent office. You definitely should consider dealing with an intellectual property attorney. In the end, why not protect a thing that you have worked so difficult to create?
8. Who is going to do the work? The attorney you're hiring? Their junior associate attorney? The para legal ? Sometimes attorneys will hand off a few of the grunt work to a junior associate or paralegal. That might save you some cash, but make certain that your attorney will thoroughly review the task and be actively involved with your stuff.
Go out and talk with one attorney in a few days. Just one. You never know when you will need one on your side.
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