Hiring an attorney can be helpful in many situations. Unfortunately, just because you have an attorney on your team doesn’t mean you’re automatically guaranteed a positive outcome. Legal malpractice is always a possibility, which ultimately ends up costing you more money and time that you don’t have.
Reduce your chances of having to deal with a malpractice case by taking your time to hire the right attorney in the first place. Here are a few things you should look for when hiring a business attorney so you can create a trusting professional relationship that lasts for years.
Experience Where It Counts
Experience always matters when you’re hiring a professional, but the type of experience matters too, especially when it comes to attorneys. Although an attorney can practice any kind of law, it’s best to choose an attorney who has experience in business law.
It’s important to hire an experienced business attorney, no matter what kind of business you have, and the more time your attorney has spent on business matters, the more expertise they can offer you.
It’s a good idea to think about the specifics too. Do you expect your attorney to draw up a lot of contracts? Will buying real estate be part of your regular business operations? Look for a lawyer who has a lot of experience doing the kinds of tasks you’re looking for.
Familiarity With Your Industry
Not only should your attorney have experience in their field, you should also try and search for an attorney who at least has some familiarity with your industry. It’s even better if they are experienced in your industry.
Although the law remains consistent in every situation, how it is applied may differ depending on whether you’re an independent construction contractor, a retail business, or a medical office. If your attorney doesn’t have experience in your industry, it’s easy for things to slip through the cracks.
In addition, finding someone with familiarity in your industry can also save you money. Attorneys with the right experience can complete tasks more quickly without compromising the quality of their service, while a less experienced attorney may spend more time on research while you’re on the clock.
Openness to Education
There are many reasons people hire an attorney, but one of the biggest is the fact that understanding legal matters is nearly impossible without one! An attorney can help you understand the fine print, but you should look for a lawyer who is willing to do more.
A lawyer who is willing to slow down and explain complex concepts can be invaluable. The more knowledge you have about your specific situation, the more confidence you will develop to continue making difficult decisions, and the more you’ll feel like you and your attorney work together in a partnership rather than they’re just there to tell you what to do.
Personality and Approach
Every business takes a different approach. For example, there are four approaches to strategic decision making that include:
- Ad hoc
- Collaborative
- Unilateral
- Administrative
That’s not all! Is sustainability important to your business? Do you operate face-to-face, or does your business mostly exist online? Do you want to diversify your offerings, or do you prefer to do one thing, and do that one thing well?
Understanding your personality and approach to business is important. Once you know your approach, you can work with an attorney who understands and works hard to help you realize your goals because they have the same philosophies when it comes to running a business.
Community Connections
It’s important for your brand to build a community. A personal business community can increase loyalty among customers, and it can provide you with wonderful resources. Your attorney should understand this and be part of a professional community too. If they are, they can refer you to other businesses that you may not have known existed.
A business attorney works with many different businesses in the area, and because of the work they provide, they understand these businesses in ways most people don’t. Whether you’re looking for a new bank or you’re planning a party for a coworker, your attorney can point you in the direction of other businesses who can help.
Don’t just hire the first business attorney you find after conducting a search online! Take your time, look for these things, and you can ensure that you build a meaningful relationship with a lawyer who truly wants to see you and your business succeed.
