Choosing the Right Business Attorney

1. How To Select The Right Business Attorney? Behind every successful small business is an experienced business attorney. Owning your own small business can be as difficult as it is rewarding. Hiring an experienced attorney can allow you to focus on running your business instead of complicated legal matters. When looking for a business attorney, it is important to carefully research the credentials and experience of each potential candidate before making your final decision. One of the most important things you can do as a business owner is hiring lawyer who specializes in business law. A lawyer who understands and is familiar with the importance of corporate structure and obtaining permits and licenses will prove to be one of the most helpful business decisions you've made. Finding a good business attorney may be more difficult than it sounds. While it is possible to open the phone book and pick the first corporate litigation or business lawyer you see, that is often times, not the best choice. The right business attorney for your company will most likely come from a referral or information service offered by the local bar association. These organizations specialize in providing businesses with corporate attorneys that best match their needs. Usually, the bar association will set up a free initial consultation with an attorney or provide you with free referrals to business lawyers that specialize in your particular area of business and is better equipped to handle your needs. www.handelinlaw.com 1000 N. Division Street, Suite 201, Carson City, NV 89703

2. Read on to learn some helpful tips for selecting the right attorney for you and your business: 1. Evaluate Your Needs: Before beginning your search for a new business attorney, it is important to evaluate the legal needs of your business. Attorneys often specialize in a specific area of the law, so it is important to select someone with the right skills and experience for the job. Some of the most common legal services provided by business attorneys include the creation of business organizations, preparing and filing taxes, leasing and purchasing real estate, preparation of legal contracts, and copyright, patent, and trademark protections. It's also important to determine whether an individual practitioner or a large firm will be needed to handle the legal needs of your business. 2. Ask for Referrals: Obtaining trusted referrals is one of the best ways to find a new business attorney. Ask friends, relatives, and colleagues for referrals to reputable business attorneys they know and trust. It can also be helpful to search online legal referral and attorneys and reviews of board certified business attorneys in your local area. 3. Check Credentials and Experience: After acquiring a short list of experienced candidates, it is important to ensure that each attorney has the necessary credentials and experience for the job. Verify that each candidate is licensed and board certified by the American Board of Certification or the American College of Board Certified Attorneys as a business specialist. Choosing a business specialist will help ensure that only the most skilled and experienced attorneys is representing your business. It can also be helpful to view each candidate's website to learn about their background, education, certifications, awards, and experience. www.handelinlaw.com 1000 N. Division Street, Suite 201, Carson City, NV 89703

3. 4. Schedule a Consultation: Begin the consultation by inquiring about the attorney's background and experience representing businesses similar to yours. Of course, it would be a great idea to know some of their backgrounds when it comes to legal impediments. Next, ask specific questions about your business needs. Lastly, discuss the attorney's availability and legal fees before making your final selection. 5. Analyze your Budget: Before hiring an attorney, you need to analyze your budget to avoid a financial crisis later. Hiring a business lawyer from a big law firm can be expensive than small firms. However, a reputed firm will have specialized attorneys who might be able to resolve the business disputes and lawsuits in time. 6. Verify certification, license, insurance and membership: Now, it's time for you to evaluate the details of the attorneys. Make sure the attorney which you choose carries liability insurance and license to avoid legal issues. A reputed attorney will also maintain an active membership with the local, national and other international bar associations. You can also find business attorney referral websites, which sometimes offer free referrals to corporate lawyers in your area. Simply enter the search terms like "business attorney," "starting a corporation" or "corporate litigator" and the referral service will list the best matches for you. It may take some time to receive the results, but once you have found a business lawyer that appears to be right for you, you can set up a consultation. Be sure to check with your local chamber of commerce and/or the Better Business before your face-to-face meeting. Find out if the business attorney has any complaints against them. www.handelinlaw.com 1000 N. Division Street, Suite 201, Carson City, NV 89703

4. During the consultation, you can ask more in-depth and specific questions to make sure the business attorney has the right experience and qualifications to be retained for your company. Find out exactly what the lawyer's specialty is and if it is an area in which you need legal assistance. Most importantly, gauge your sense of comfort with the business lawyer. After all, you will be spending a lot of time with the lawyer and they will be privy to the inner workings of your company. You will need to be able to trust them and be a get along personally. Having a business attorney you trust will help navigate your company through rough legal waters and get yo u through with an outcome that is most beneficial to your business. www.handelinlaw.com 1000 N. Division Street, Suite 201, Carson City, NV 89703