Regardless of the size of the business you run or the industry you operate in, every company will need legal representation at some point in its professional journey. An attorney can either be a great asset or a costly line item, and it is up to you as a business owner to ensure you make the right choice.
If this is your first time hiring a corporate lawyer, the entire process might seem stressful and intimidating at first. However, finding the right person for your business is as simple as asking a few smart and intentional questions, and here are some of the most important things to look for when hiring a good attorney for your company:
Professionalism and integrity
The lawyer you select will represent your business, which is why it’s best to choose a person with an upstanding reputation. A good lawyer needs to be trustworthy and devoted, but also able to make tough decisions when necessary. It’s never recommended to work with lawyers who will go to any extreme in an effort to achieve a desirable outcome, as such a person could destroy both your and your business’s reputation. When selecting a suitable lawyer for your company, try to ask for references and cross-check them on lawyer review websites to ensure you’re making the right decision.
Experience in business law
Experience in business law is another essential aspect you should look for in a lawyer, particularly if you live in a place like America where there are extensive laws and regulations to adhere to and lawsuits are a daily occurrence. Sufficient experience often means knowledge and wisdom, which could benefit your company in a number of different ways. To that end, it’s recommended to talk to a potential lawyer and ask them specific questions that will allow you to determine their experience, or even inquire about their areas of expertise regarding corporate law. It might also be wise to check their previous track record and success rate, in case you need more confidence in the lawyer’s abilities.
Quick and practical advice
In countries like Australia, on the other hand, businesses are often in the need of quick and practical legal advice. For that reason, they decide to hire experienced lawyers from Sydney who are able to provide high-quality legal advice that’s fast, efficient, and easy to understand. With enough experience and expertise in business law, such professionals can quickly get your transactions across the line and effortlessly make any of your disputes disappear. By offering fixed fee quotes and transparent pricing upfront, expert lawyers like these could provide the necessary help and give you some peace of mind during the most important decisions for your company.
Offered billing structures
Continuing on the same note, billing structures are another crucial aspect to go over with a lawyer. Legal services tend to be quite costly in any country, particularly if it takes an attorney a considerable amount of time to resolve your issue. However, hourly rates can be surprisingly steep as well in terms of shortly-solved problems, so make sure you agree on a billing structure that suits your business’s needs the most at this time. Then, it would be best to ask whether the fee structures could potentially be adjusted in the future, in case the needs of your company ever change.
Efficient communication
Great communication skills are an essential trait every good lawyer should possess, as they allow them to effectively communicate with opposing counsel, juries, and judges. But communication can benefit your company as well. Since legal matters can be complicated and difficult to understand, you need an attorney that can clearly and efficiently explain the proceedings to you. A great lawyer should also be able to anticipate any questions in advance and notify you of potential changes and developments while ensuring they use the most appropriate method of communication as well.
Transparency and reliability
Another important element of forming a successful relationship with your lawyer is their capability of being transparent and reliable. A close bond between a client and their attorney is necessary for success, particularly when it comes to discussing more difficult subjects and more serious matters. Similarly, a good lawyer should also feel free to start a constructive conversation with you whenever the need arises, in order to ensure you stay updated on your business’s legal matters. The more comfortable communicating with one another you and your attorney are, the more efficiently you will be able to resolve issues once they arise.
Even though finding a great corporate lawyer might be a difficult task, knowing what to expect could take some of the pressure off this challenging situation. With just a bit of advanced planning and knowing the right questions to ask, you can feel more confident in your decision and consequently the future of your business.
