What to Look for in a Business Attorney

Every business owner needs a reliable business lawyer. You have seen the articles – including our own – outlining what to look for in a business attorney. Experience, expertise, communication, professionalism, and availability are absolute musts. But what if you’re considering several different attorneys who all appear to have the foundational traits? Let us help you drill down a little further to find the right match in a business lawyer.

1. Honesty

When we allude to honesty in a business lawyer, we’re not talking about simply telling the truth. That should be a given. What you really need is someone who is going to be 100 percent direct with every message they deliver. Many attorneys will sugarcoat or even hold back details that a client might find alarming or worrisome. This is a disservice, because as a businessperson, you need to have all the necessary information to protect and defend your business, whether it’s what you want to hear or not. We won’t steer you toward brutal honesty; you don’t want someone who’s downright mean. Let’s call it unfiltered information sharing.

2. Growth

The goal in business is to grow and thrive. Ideally, your business lawyer will exhibit and exemplify growth in their own practice. If a lawyer has been running a one-person practice for decades, it could be a sign that they have not experienced for themselves many facets of business law in which you might be asking them for advice. For business and law firm founder, Tina Gehres, one of the most rewarding aspects of owning a practice has been growing Gehres Law Group, P.C. into a team of San Diego business attorneys serving companies of all sizes in a variety of industries.

3. Efficiency

In order for an attorney to be able to provide affordable legal services, they must have processes in place for every step of their counsel. For example, in business litigation, the attorneys at Gehres Law Group, P.C. typically invest more time upfront identifying potential risks and challenges than most business attorneys. We do this because we know that it will help us develop a complete strategy and avoid potential pitfalls that could otherwise lead to additional legal fees or worse, compromising a client’s interests.

Contrary to popular belief, high-demand lawyers are not looking to rack up unproductive hours billed to clients. Instead, they seek solutions that allow them to provide the services clients need without any wasted motion or excess fees. The more streamlined an attorney’s practice is, the more affordable they can keep their fees, the more likely their clients will return and refer others to them, and the more clients they can serve overall. It’s a winning formula for everyone.

4. Specificity

Experience is a prerequisite in law. Yes, you certainly want someone who has a track record of success. What you also want, however, is an attorney who possesses experience that fits your specific needs. Business owners in the e-commerce, real estate, and professional services industries should know that we have worked with many clients who require similar services and knowledge. We understand that companies who utilize e-commerce as part of their business model, for instance, often need impenetrable trademark and copyright protections in place. This is because of the vast exposure e-commerce provides and the inevitable bad actors who will attempt to steal the profitable ideas of others.

With that said, if you can’t find a business attorney with deep expertise in your industry, that is no reason to pass on someone you believe will take the time to adapt. You can recognize a lawyer of this caliber even in an initial consultation. They will ask questions surrounding your business challenges, terminology, experiences, and industry standards.

5. Versatility

Business law is complex and wide-ranging. If you had to hire a new attorney for every need that might arise, your contacts list could grow by the day. In the same way you rely on your accountant to manage all of your finances, you should be able to pick up the phone and call your business lawyer for consultancy on corporate law, contract law, trademarks and copyrights, employment law and, if necessary, business litigation.

Gehres Law Group, P.C. specializes in all of the above, including the many areas within each practice. For example, employment law alone encompasses wage and hour laws, workers’ compensation, unemployment compensation, disability insurance, anti-discrimination laws and much more. Contract law, meanwhile, spans indemnity, operating agreements, licensing, royalties, franchising, joint venture agreements, employment agreements and virtually every other type of contract a business might need written, reviewed and enforced. We have the knowledge and experience to provide comprehensive representation with the highest integrity. Review our attorney bios here.

Credentials aside, Ms. Gehres and her team will work tirelessly to protect your interests and provide timely access to reliable legal counsel for your business. Contact us today to learn more. Your first consultation is free.

The post What to Look for in a Business Attorney appeared first on Gehres Law Group.

from Gehres Law Group https://ift.tt/2qEH8Lh
via IFTTT