Find a Business Attorney Near Me
As a business owner, there will come a time when you may run into some legal issues. The fastest way to get over these issues would be to sign some papers and get over it. However, you might later find yourself in a lot of trouble. It is always best to deal with any legal issue through a lawyer. Here are a few tips that we at RunRex think could help you pick the right lawyer near you for your business.
Look for a specialist
You may need a lawyer for your financial issues to do with labor relations. The most important thing you need to do is find a lawyer who specializes in the area you need help. For one, this will ensure that issues get resolved fast. Besides that, it will ensure that you get the best possible legal remedy for your issue.
Look for reasonable rates
On average, a lawyer may charge $200 to $600 per hour. However, some of the big law firms can charge you up to $2000 per hour. It is up to you to balance the rates while still ensuring that you get good quality. You do not want to pick a lawyer who will leave you in a financial mess once the issue is resolved.
During your consultation, you should also ensure that you negotiate the rates. In most cases, if you negotiate, you will be able to lower the rate. Besides that, you can negotiate a payment plan. This will help you avoid going bankrupt as you try to settle your legal bills. For instance, instead of the hourly rate, you can request for a flat rate. If they do not agree to a flat rate, you can also negotiate for a cap on the hourly rate.
Prioritize your legal needs
As a small or medium-sized business, an attorney may try to upsell you and force you to purchase additional legal services. However, you should be careful about it. Only pick the legal services that you need. This way, you will be able to make a profit at the end of the year. For instance, you can pay to set up the company. However, you can wait to file for a trademark when you have a working business idea.
Always meet with several attorneys
If you have never hired a business attorney before, it is important that you meet with a few before making your choice. This way, you will be able to know if you get the best deal. Ask each one of them as many questions and listen to their feedback carefully. Do not settle for the first attorney you meet since you never get to know what you are missing.
Talk to fellow business owners
If you own a small or medium-sized business, you are most likely a member of a business organization. Ensure that during one of your meetings, you get in touch with them and ask about the best lawyer. You will receive a few recommendations. Do not be afraid to ask about the lawyer once you get a recommendation. Ask your friend detailed questions before them even before meeting the lawyer. This way, you will be able to make the best choice.
Look for somebody you can relate to
When picking a lawyer, do not just pick someone with the right skills. Look for someone with whom you can have a personal discussion without feeling intimidated. This will make it easier for you to put your points across. If you do not feel comfortable being around a certain attorney, do not waste your time with them. You will never be able to ask your questions in a manner they understand. Thus, you will not get the legal advice you need.
Experience matters
In most cases, the experience will be quite important. It is especially if you are dealing with a complex legal issue. It is important that you ensure the attorney has specific experience in the area you need help. They should not just have general experience handling business-related cases. At least two years of experience in the area where you require assistance is the most recommended.
Ask about their previous cases
While a lawyer may not discuss the specifics of the cases they handled in the past, you should still be able to get a general estimate of how much success they have had. For instance, ask about their success rate and how many cases they have lost in the past. They should be able to offer you with solid statistics.
Check their support team
A good lawyer needs to have a strong support team. It is especially so if you are a large company, which is dealing with a major issue. The support team will handle research matters to ensure that you have the best possible advantage if the issue goes to a court. If they do not have a support team, do not bother hiring them.