It is always a good idea to have a general attorney, especially for your business interests. In the United States, 40 million lawsuits are filed each year. Companies routinely sign agreements and find themselves needing to file legal documentation, protect intellectual property, and navigate the various legal parameters that come with doing business Law tuition.
The best thing you can do is hire outside general counsel to help protect your interests.
The following points will be helpful when searching for general counsel to handle your company’s legal needs.
- Look for References from other Entrepreneurs
To know if you have retained the best advice from a general solicitor, it is worth looking at what type of work they have done in the past. Ask for a list of their references and check them out for yourself.
Contact other business owners on your list and find out which law firm represents them.
Hiring general legal advice services for your company can help you by:
- Routine and ongoing advice on business and financial matters
- Answers to legal questions on demand
- Assistance in protecting your interests if you are ever sued or need to take another party to court
- Answers to legal questions on demand
- Assistance in protecting your interests if you are ever sued or need to take another party to court
- Negotiating business matters on your behalf or supervising conversations.
- Keeping your company in line with compliance
- Your company can benefit from hiring a law firm, regardless of its size and scale.
- Take into account the Legal Needs of your Company
Specify what your legal needs are so you can find the right professionals to help you. Divide your business year into quarters and keep in mind the goals you have set. Knowing this will help you find a law firm that can address your specific needs.
Many companies hire lawyers to help them create contracts and enforce them. Other companies may need business legal advice when planning to expand and hire new employees.
The advisory services of a general counsel will also be helpful to your Human Resources (HR) department. Your employee benefits packages will be monitored, and you’ll always know when you’re taking the right legal stances on hiring, firing, workers’ compensation, and other matters.
- Schedule Some Consultations with a General Counsel
Once you have found some lawyer leads, be sure to book some consultations. When you sit down with these professionals, you will be able to ask them specific questions about your legal needs and you will be able to verify their quality, experience, and background.
Examining the different types of attorneys will help you narrow down your list. Set up at least three consultations with your top options and ask yourself some of the following questions:
- Which lawyer will be my reference person?
- Could you give me an overview of how you can protect my company’s legal interests?
- How many years have you been practicing law?
- Have you worked with other companies in my sector?
- What is your trial history and experience?
- Once you’ve discussed the details with a law firm, ask for a copy of their contract and fees so you can compare your agreements.
- Find out which agreement is right for you
Talking to different attorneys will give you a clear idea of your options for advice. You may choose to hire a long-term attorney. Other situations may be specific, such as reading a contract or helping you with a short-term project.
Ask the firm what type of agreements they apply and choose the one that is most practical and economical for you.
- Ask about their Fee Structure
Read the lawyer’s contract and find out how much he or she charges. A general attorney offers different fee structures. Some will charge you by the hour. You can expect to pay between $100 and $400 per hour for legal services.
A law firm may also charge you retainer fees. This is basically a flat fee for access to the law firm on demand for a certain contracted period of time.
Always know in advance how you will be billed. Get the fees and structure in writing and shop for the most reasonable and affordable price.
- Find out about your Professional Specialties
When you talk to the law firm, ask them what specialties they focus on. This is crucial as you are looking for a generalist attorney. They can have any number of specialties or none.
Make sure the law firm is used to helping businesses of your type and size and that they understand the nuances of your industry. This is especially important when it comes to helping you comply with regulations.
- Research their background and opinions
Do independent research on the law firm until you feel generally comfortable with who you are hiring. Look for them in the American Bar Association (ABA) and in your state’s chapter. Find out how they rank locally on review websites and choose a law firm that has several strong recommendations.