| No enterprise should be without a qualified | | | | lease or purchase office, retail, or warehouse |
| corporation attorney or contract lawyer. Members | | | | space. Contract lawyers can write up agreements |
| of a corporate law firm, or business attorneys | | | | between investors or scrutinize loan documents |
| who work on their own, can provide a range of | | | | with banks and other lenders. An attorney |
| vital services to help ensure the success of any | | | | specializing in employment law can make sure that |
| organization, regardless of the size of the | | | | the rights of both employees and employers are |
| company or how long it has been open for | | | | protected. Likewise an intellectual property |
| business. | | | | attorney can take steps to legally protect valuable |
| Using Corporate Attorneys in the Launch Phase | | | | proprietary information or unique products and |
| Even in the early stages of setting up a business, | | | | services. |
| the services of an expert corporate attorney are | | | | Choosing the Right Business Attorney |
| essential. Without taking the proper legal steps to | | | | Selecting a business lawyer is an important |
| set up the company, for example, there may be | | | | decision and the process should be done with care |
| significant tax repercussions, limitations on how | | | | and due diligence to ensure that the company |
| seamlessly the business can expand and grow, or | | | | hires the best possible business law firm. One |
| potential liability for officers and owners. But by | | | | should begin by checking credentials and asking |
| laying a solid yet flexibly adaptable legal foundation | | | | for references from trusted colleagues or other |
| at the base or core of the new business, a | | | | professionals such as the company's CPA firm or |
| corporate lawyer can establish it as a dynamic | | | | banker. Then narrow down the list of potential |
| and agile enterprise from the onset. Without being | | | | corporate attorneys by screening out those who |
| hampered by legal red tape or an inappropriate | | | | may not have the background or specialization |
| corporate structure, the business can continue to | | | | required for the particular industry. Business |
| grow in whatever direction it needs to in order to | | | | attorneys that handle global commerce cases, for |
| gain market share, increase profitability, and | | | | instance, may not be the right fit for a company |
| respond to the needs and demands of a thriving | | | | that doesn't have an international presence and |
| customer base. | | | | focuses primarily on local investment. When you |
| Corporate Lawyers Provide a Variety of Services | | | | meet with the prospective attorney(s), ask them |
| Corporate attorneys can offer companies a wide | | | | about their experience as well. |
| menu of legal services. These run the gamut | | | | As you interview short-listed candidates, you |
| from setting up the corporation and applying for | | | | should pick the business law firm or business |
| licenses, trademarks, and patents to overseeing | | | | lawyers that offer the most experience and |
| taxes, labor law and workplace safety compliance. | | | | expertise. Taking these steps will ensure that |
| They can even advise on investments or | | | | your enterprise (or start-up) will be fully protected |
| retirement packages. With the help of a real | | | | for many years to come. |
| estate lawyer, an organization can successfully | | | | |