| When you're starting a new company, the | | | | attorney. Environmental issues have bankrupted |
| number of decisions you have to make can seem | | | | more than one company owner through fines and |
| overwhelming. Not only must you raise capital, | | | | penalties and lawsuits. In order to avoid this |
| make a viable plan, hire employees, and so on, | | | | rigmarole, have a lawyer on hand who can advise |
| you have to think about whether or not you need | | | | you of your best move. Likewise, anyone who |
| a business attorney. In many cases, the answer is | | | | deals with the public or hires employees is |
| no. With some qualified help, you can do a lot of | | | | eventually going to run into a lawsuit. It may be |
| things on your own. However, there are times | | | | something entirely out of your control, but it's |
| when a lawyer is absolutely essential. And then | | | | something you'll definitely want a lawyer on hand |
| there are other times when it's better to have | | | | to help you through. Trying to represent yourself |
| one that not. | | | | is not only foolhardy in the legal sense, but it will |
| There are a number of decisions you'll have to | | | | consume far too much of your time that would |
| make or processes you may have to go through | | | | be better spent actually running your company. |
| that will require the help of a good business | | | | On the other hand, when you're just starting out, |
| attorney. For instance, many small company | | | | you may be surprised at the number of things |
| owners like to get together with their partners | | | | you can do on your own without hiring a business |
| are create what's called a special allocations fund. | | | | attorney. Any of these things can be done easier |
| This fund can be put right into your agreement or | | | | with the help of counsel, but if you're tight on |
| the LLC statement. If you're going to do | | | | funds-as many small company owners are at |
| something like this, you'll want to get a good | | | | first-you can make do without it. These things |
| lawyer on board and have him take care of the | | | | include getting your company's brands |
| more complicated legal areas. | | | | trademarked, giving yourself a name, creating a |
| If you're running a brick and mortar company and | | | | partnership agreement or creating an LLC, leasing |
| any kind of environmental issue comes your way, | | | | a building from which to do business, and applying |
| don't hesitate for a minute to acquire a business | | | | for any necessary permits. |