Everyone should have a good lawyer, but this is especially true if you are a business owner. Managing a business can come with all kinds of legal challenges and it is important to have a talented lawyer in your corner to help you navigate them. When choosing a lawyer, make sure that he or she is experienced in business law and that you feel comfortable with him or her. Here are just some of the reasons that hiring a business attorney can be a great decision for your company.
Negotiating Contracts
Depending on your type of business, negotiating contracts can be a key part of the work that you do. It is good practice to avoid signing documents that have not been reviewed by your attorney first. A business lawyer can help draft and negotiate these types of documents, as well as review them to make sure that your interests are protected. If issues arise from a contract dispute, an attorney can help you with this as well.
Going to Court
Unfortunate situations may arise where you need to go to court. This can be an unsettling experience, especially if you are unfamiliar with the judicial system and court reporting Honolulu. A good attorney will help you seamlessly navigate the courts, represent you in front of a judge and protect your interests. This could mean defending you against a lawsuit, representing you in a contract dispute, helping you sue a competitor for copyright infringement or defending you against an employee grievance.
Real Estate Purchases
Whether you are a landscaping company or a real estate investor, you may find yourself needing to purchase properties. While this could be an office building for your company headquarters, you may find yourself in a position to invest in multiple properties. This is a situation where you should turn to a business attorney. A business lawyer will review and approve the purchase agreement, as well as walk you through the purchasing process. He or she will help you close your real estate deal and take care of any additional issues that arise.
Intellectual Property Protection
Protecting intellectual property is crucial in many different types of business, including publishing, writing, art and music. There are four main ways to protect intellectual property, including copyright, trademarks, patents and trade secrets. An experienced business attorney can walk you through all four and explain how they can most benefit your business. He or she can also defend you if your intellectual property is infringed upon.
Liability Issues
Liability issues inevitably arise whenever you are a small business owner. Whether someone slips and falls on your property or a customer is angry about a product malfunction, you can easily find yourself on the receiving end of a lawsuit. A business attorney can walk you through this process from start to finish and do his or her very best to defend you vigorously. The case may go to court or it may be settled out of court for an agreed-upon sum of money. A business lawyer will talk to you about your options and help you make the best choices for your company.
Employee Grievances
Employees sometimes have complaints, whether they are about harassment or salary disputes. Having a business attorney working to assist you in navigating these types of cases gives you a better chance of a positive outcome for your company and a decreased likelihood that the reputation of your business will be negatively impacted.
Creating Entities
Finally, a business attorney can help you create a corporation, limited liability company or non-profit to be the organizational structure for your business. This protects you and your assets from liability.
Choosing an attorney is a serious decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Research potential options and get referrals from family and friends. Choose a trusted attorney who has experience in the field and makes you feel secure. The above reasons are just some of the ways in which they can be helpful to your business.
