Whether dealing with litigation, starting a business or intellectual property, a good lawyer is critical to your small business.
Difficulty: Average
Time Required: 2-3 weeks
Here's How:
- Determine the legal issue and what type of law may be applicable. Such as business incorporation, employee labor law, real estate, buying a company or wills and estates.
- Assess the type of lawyers dealing with your legal issue.
- Compile a list of lawyers in the determined subject area by:
- Talking to friends and business peers for a referral in the legal area you need.
- Contact other professionals you know such as your banker or accountant.
- Use a lawyer referral network service located on the Internet, Yellow Pages, or Bar Association.
- Set up a phone interview with a narrowed down candidate list and ask the following questions:
- How long have you been in practice?
- How much experience do you have in the area of ...(subject area you need)? How many wins have you had in this area?
- Is this a standard issue with a basic fee or more complex with an hourly fee?
- Is there a fee for the initial consultation?
- Review the answers from each phone interview. Make an appointment with a lawyer that can deal with your legal issue in a timely matter, has an interest in your business and makes you feel comfortable.
- Be prepared for your initial interview with complete documentation for your case.
- If all goes well and you feel the lawyer can best represent your interests and case then hire them.
Tips:
- Keep full notes on meetings and ask for supporting files or documentation.
- Work with your lawyer in a positive, honest manner.
- Provide your lawyer with what they need in a prompt fashion.
