| Having a business lawyer is a good idea for a lot | | | | company and how often you'll need a one. When |
| of reasons. When you run your own company, | | | | you run a small or medium-sized company that |
| you can run into legal issues all the time. Some of | | | | produces a middle-income profit, then you |
| them are easily handled, others can be confusing. | | | | probably shouldn't keep an attorney on retainer, |
| You never want to guess when it comes to legal | | | | because it wouldn't be cost-effective. |
| issues, and that includes business ones. You want | | | | If your company is fairly large, however, and you |
| to make sure that you are competently | | | | are dealing with legal issues every day, then |
| represented when it comes to issues on such | | | | paying a monthly retainer might be worth it. Either |
| things as copyright infringements and customer | | | | way, you want to stay in touch with your chosen |
| disputes. | | | | attorney to keep him or her abreast of your |
| Finding the Right One | | | | commerce dealings on a regular basis. |
| Attorneys have their specialties, and of course, | | | | Reviewing the Job Your Attorney Does |
| you want to find one that specializes in business | | | | Companies grow and change, and you want to |
| issues. Ask for recommendations from friends | | | | make sure that your business lawyer can grow |
| and colleagues, peruse your local yellow pages, | | | | and change with yours. Periodically check to see if |
| and search online. If there is a referral organization | | | | your attorney can still meet your needs. If not, |
| in your area that can help you find a lawyer, take | | | | consider interviewing other specialty attorneys. |
| advantage of it. When an attorney catches your | | | | That doesn't mean that you have to end your |
| interest, write down his or her information. | | | | relationship with your first attorney; it's always |
| Once you have a fairly good list, go through the | | | | good to have one who knows your business well. |
| information again and shorten the list to the two | | | | It just means that you may need another one |
| or three that you're most interested in. Give each | | | | that you can turn to sometimes for specific |
| a call, and discuss your particular needs, and ask | | | | issues. |
| pointed questions. You should be able to make an | | | | When you take the time to choose the right |
| informed choice if you take all these steps. | | | | business lawyer, it's one less thing that you need |
| A Working Relationship | | | | to worry about as you run your company. |
| Should you put a business lawyer on retainer? | | | | Confidence in your legal representation allows you |
| That usually depends on the size of your | | | | to concentrate on other important things. |