How to Find the Best Business Lawyer For Your Business

California is the home of startups. Whether you are a bricks and mortar store or the next big tech startup, you will need the help of a California business lawyer. A business attorney will help you to create a solid legal foundation for your new company that will prevent legal issues in the future. A California business lawyer at Nakase Wade identified the steps to find the best California business lawyer for your business: 

Step 1: Create a List of Your Business Needs 

Every business has different needs, such as enterprise project management, and every business owner has strengths and weaknesses. Work out exactly what you need an attorney’s help with and create a list. This will help you in later steps. 

Some of the things a business attorney can help with are: 

• Founder agreements – A founders agreement is a legally binding contract between business partners. It lays out the responsibilities and resources each partner brings to the business and how all profits and assets are split. It is vital to the smooth running of a business. 
• Raising venture capital – When raising money to start a business, business owners need to navigate a complex web of securities laws. A business attorney can ensure you obtain and manage the money legally.  
• Incorporation – A business attorney can explain the different types of business entities available and which ones may suit your needs. They will also help you fill out and file the incorporation documents. 
• Protect intellectual property – Your business lawyer will help you to protect your competitive advantage by filing intellectual property protections such as patents and copyrights. 

Of course, your business attorney can help you with additional or fewer services depending on the needs of your company.

California Business Lawyer & Corporate Lawyer. Telephone: 800-484-4610

Step 2: Know What You Can Handle Yourself 

There are some things that an attorney cannot help with, though. This may be because it falls under the expertise of other professionals, like accountants, or that it is more cost-efficient for you to handle yourself.

Step 3: Find Business Attorneys in Your Area 

The next step is to find a list of business attorneys in your area and cross-reference these against business attorneys who know your industry. You can find these lists by searching online legal directories. These are online listings that provide the names and contact details of lawyers by specialization and region. 

Ask For Referrals 

If you have contacts in the industry or local businesses, ask them if they have had positive experiences with any business lawyers. Don’t just take the name of their current business attorney; find out what they like about them and how they have helped their business in the past. If you’re in California, a good place to start is the California Office of Small Business and DVBE Services. Also, you may search at Findlaw Small Business Lawyer Directory.

Once you have your shortlist, you will interview each business lawyer, so in the interest of your time, keep the list to ten or fewer.

Some of the best registered agents will go above and beyond baseline expectations to ensure an LLC is following all of the legal guidelines and has the best organization when it comes to filing documents from a state such as California. Registered agents should also make sure all documents are stored online. To learn about the roles of registered agents follow this link and put your LLC in the best hands.

Here are some California business lawyers and attorney directories (no endorsement) for you to consider:

• Nakase – “As business litigation attorneys, Nakase Wade attorneys recognize that early business resolution is usually better than a prolonged war. Nevertheless, a business litigation attorney must not be afraid to go to trial. Many purported ‘business litigation attorneys’ do not actually have experience in trial.” Visit Website: Civil Litigation Lawyer
• Lawyers.com – “Legal issues come up in all sorts of contexts when you own a small business. Whether it’s a question related to hiring and firing employees, entering into a lease, or something related to copyright or intellectual property issues, you’ll want a lawyer you can turn to for advice. Too often, small businesses mistakenly believe that they can wait until a problem arises to hire an attorney. This can be a costly mistake.” Visit: Website
• Structure Law – “Structure Law Group, LLP (“SLG”) is a Silicon Valley-based business law firm with offices in Silicon Valley and Los Angeles that focuses on business transactions and litigation. Structure Law Group, LLP solves complex problems in a pragmatic and effective fashion. We pride ourselves in being devoted and trusted advocates and advisors for our clients.” Visit: Website
• LC&K LLP – Lester, Cantrell & Kraus, LLP is a full-service Riverside business law firm dedicated to protecting the interests of individuals and businesses throughout the Inland Empire. Visit: Website
• Hamilton & Associates, APC – “Hamilton & Associates, APC. is committed to a simple principle: provide the highest level of legal service to all clients at a reasonable fee. Our experienced attorneys have worked tirelessly to build a law firm that combines their individual talents to meet and exceed the specialized legal needs of our clients.” Visit: Website

Step 4: Know How Business Attorney Fees Work 

Before you interview each of the business lawyers on your shortlist, you need to know how attorney fee structures work. This will help you to compare the fees of each of the lawyers. A business lawyer will work on one of the following four fee structures: 

• Flat Fee – A flat fee is a fixed price for each task. This means that you will be charged a set rate, regardless of any complications that come up. Flat fee rates are beneficial to startups who need to budget each of their costs. Many business lawyers will offer package bundles for common startup services. 
• Retainer Agreement – If you require a lot of legal assistance, then your business lawyer may offer a retainer rate. This is where you pay a certain amount every month to guarantee a set number of hours of the attorney’s time.
• Contingent Fee – A contingent fee is only used for litigation where you stand to recover damages if you win the case. Your business attorney only collects their fee if they win your case. Their fee is often set as a percentage of the recovered compensation. A business attorney is more likely to offer this to an existing business client, as if they are fired during the case, they will not receive any payment for their services.