To most business owners, the idea of needing a small business attorney sounds like part of a nightmare, something that only happens when things have gone very, very wrong. But the truth is that there are many circumstances under which a small business attorney will be an invaluable asset and someone upon whom you can rely.
Not all legal issues reflect trouble. There are plenty of administrative issues involved in operating your business for which you will appreciate a small business attorney’s knowledge and experience. Some of these are things that you could handle on your own, but doing so would involve a significant amount of time spent researching and laboring over a task that a small business attorney does on a regular basis and can accomplish on your behalf with ease. Some examples include:
- Reserving a domain name for your website
- Researching a trademark, copyright or patent
- Submitting IRS forms
- Creating employment contracts (including non-compete agreements), legal partnership agreements, LLC operating agreements and shareholder’s agreements
- Creating contracts for client and customer agreements
- Crafting partnership and succession documents
These are examples of proactive actions that a small business lawyer can handle for you. There are also defensive issues for which you may end up needing a small business attorney. These include but are not limited to:
- Employees filing employment discrimination or harassment/hostile work environment lawsuits against the organization
- Violation notices from local, state or federal entities
- Negotiation of sales or acquisitions
- Personal injury lawsuits claiming negligence and seeking compensation
In addition to providing you with immediate guidance and support if you are facing any of these legal actions (or any others), by speaking with an experienced small business attorney early in the formation of your company you can benefit from their guidance and avoid being in a position vulnerable to litigation in the first place. A small business attorney will review your existing contracts and documents and make recommendations for steps that you need to take to protect yourself. They will provide you with advice on how to conduct employment interviews and what steps you need to take to ensure that your physical property and business are safe and insured against liability.
Though you may not need a small business attorney right away, consulting with one early in the formation of your business will provide you with an extra layer of confidence and security in your legal position going forward. To meet with one of our small business lawyers, contact us today to set up an appointment.
