Need Help With a Small Business Matter?
Whether you are just getting your business started or it’s already up and running, you will want an attorney you can turn to for advice. Legal issues arise at all stages with a small business--from deciding which ownership structure is best to questions about hiring and firing employees, leases and other contracts, and copyright and intellectual property issues. When something comes up (as it’s bound to), you’ll want to make sure you have an attorney with small business expertise who 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. An experienced small business lawyer will help you set things up properly and advise you along the way so you don’t run into bigger problems later. Getting sound legal advice early on about things like business license and zoning requirements, adequate liability protection, and how to hire and fire employees can pay off tremendously in the long run. It also frees you up to spend time doing what matters most--running and building your business.

Looking for a Lawyer?
At Lawyers.com, you’ll find a user-friendly search tool that allows you to tailor results by area of law and geography. You can also search for attorneys by name. Attorney profiles prominently display contact information, list topics of expertise, and show ratings—by both clients and other legal professionals.

Ready to Meet With a Lawyer?
Before hiring a lawyer or law firm, make sure to speak directly—preferably in person—to the attorney who will be primarily responsible for handling your matter. Consider bringing to the conversation a list of questions and any documentation you have related to your business and the issues you want to address. Remember that you don’t need to hire the first lawyer you consult and that, first and foremost, you want a lawyer you trust.

What to Ask a Lawyer
When gathering your thoughts and documents, think about what you’ll want to ask the lawyer. Consider including on your list questions about:

• the lawyer’s experience with small business matters
• the lawyer’s familiarity with business, zoning, licensing, and any other rules and regulations related to your business
• who else will work on your case
• whether the attorney will charge you on a flat-fee or hourly basis, and what other fees and expenses to expect, and
• the lawyer’s initial thoughts or advice about your situation and how they would help