When asked in what capacity we serve our business clients, our response usually includes a laundry list of the various inquiries, disputes, and challenges about which our business clients have consulted with us over many years. Consulting with an attorney about your business is essential to protect your business, its future, and its relationships inside and outside of your organization. Here are some of the ways that an attorney can act as general counsel to your business and address your concerns:
- Legal Compliance: Laws and regulations can be complex and constantly evolving. An attorney can help ensure that your business is compliant with all local, state, and federal laws, which can help you avoid costly legal issues and penalties.
- Contractual Agreements: Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts is a critical aspect of business operations. An attorney can help you create legally binding agreements that protect your interests, your relationships, and reduce the risk of disputes.
- Intellectual Property Protection: If your business involves intellectual property, such as patents, trademarks, or copyrights, an attorney can help you protect and enforce your intellectual property rights.
- Business Structure: Choosing the right legal structure for your business (e.g., sole proprietorship, LLC, corporation) has significant implications for taxation, liability, and governance. An attorney can assist in advising you on the best structure for your specific needs along with your tax and financial professionals.
- Risk Management: An attorney can identify potential legal risks and liabilities that your business may face and provide guidance on how to mitigate those risks effectively.
- Dispute Resolution: In the event of a legal dispute, an attorney can represent your interests and work to resolve the matter through negotiation, mediation, arbitration, or litigation, as necessary.
- Employment Matters: Employment law can be complex, covering issues such as hiring, firing, wage and hour compliance, and workplace discrimination. An attorney can help you navigate these issues and ensure that you have appropriate employment policies in place.
- Business Transactions: Whether you’re buying or selling a business, merging with another company, or engaging in other significant transactions, an attorney can help with due diligence, negotiations, and contract drafting to protect your interests.
- Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure: Attorneys can help you create and enforce confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements to protect your sensitive business information and trade secrets.
- Peace of Mind: Knowing that you have legal counsel can provide peace of mind and confidence in your business decisions, allowing you to focus on your core operations and growth. We truly enjoy watching a business client’s business explode in growth over time all while they know they can consult with us as any issues or questions arise.
We know that the number one reason that business clients do not consult with attorneys first – before entering the vendor agreement, before onboarding a new employee, or before expanding into a new product or service – is because of cost, as clients are concerned that an attorney may charge consulting fees for initial consultations. Even if that were the case, the value described above is undeniable and incredibly crucial to the success of your business relationships and growth. Attorneys can help you navigate the complexities of running a business, safeguarding the business relationships you form over time, and making informed decisions to support your business’s future growth.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this post is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls and communications. Contacting us, however, does not create an attorney-client relationship.
