When Do You Need a Lawyer for Your Business?

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Are you running a small business and are wondering whether or not you need a business lawyer? Here’s everything you need to know. 

When you start up a new business, there will undoubtedly be thousands of questions you need to ask. It is even harder starting a new business during these times, in the midst of a pandemic, and therefore you will probably want to make sure that you have taken every precautionary measure possible before starting up a new business. 


One question you may be asking yourself is ‘Does my business need a lawyer?’ Below, we take a look at some reasons why you should consider hiring a lawyer for your business. 


When does a small business need a lawyer?


Many people think that a small business does not need a lawyer unless it has a serious legal issue that needs sorting, for example, if a customer is suing. Many people may also believe that small businesses will not be able to afford the often incredibly expensive bills of an attorney. However, while you certainly don’t need a lawyer for everything your business faces, there are definitely some scenarios where having a business attorney (such as Cliff Schneider) is advisable. 


Issues you can handle on your own


As a small business, there are a number of issues that you can resolve without professional help. Here are a few examples of things you can do without the need of legal advice:

  • Picking a business name: as long as you don’t pick a name that has already been copyrighted, you do not need legal help to pick out a name for your business. 

  • Creating a legal partnership agreement, limited liability company (LLC) operating agreement, or shareholder’s agreement.

  • Creating contracts for customers or clients.

  • Hiring independent contractors. 


There are many other legal issues a small business might face that does not require professional assistance. However, if you are ever unsure about anything, make sure you do check with a legal professional just to be on the safe side. 

Issues where a small business may need a lawyer


Although there are a lot of minor legal issues that can be done without the help of an attorney, there are a few legal issues where it is imperative that you seek legal advice from a professional.


Here are a few examples of where you may need to get legal help:

  • If an employee is suing your company over accusations of discrimination in hiring, firing, or a hostile work environment. 

  • Local, state, or federal government entities filing complaints or investigating your business for violation of any laws.

  • Any environmental issues your company may be involved in. 

  • Negotiating for the sale of your company. 


These issues are serious, and it is certainly important that you seek legal advice if you are dealing with any of these issues. However, it is even more important to note that you should be striving to make sure that your business does not get into predicaments such as these in the first place (apart from when coming to sell). For example, you should always ensure that your employees are safe and happy in their working environment, and that no one ever feels discriminated against. In uncertain and potentially dangerous times such as these, it is also extremely important that you ensure your employees and customers are protected as much as possible from the coronavirus pandemic. 


Bottom line

Although you won’t need a lawyer for the majority of your legal issues, you should seriously consider getting in touch with a professional business law firm as soon as you start business, just in case you need them in the future. 




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