Whether you hire in-house counsel or rely on an outside firm for your legal needs, it’s important to have a lawyer on your side no matter how small your business. Here are three reasons your business should work with an attorney.
Protection From Lawsuits
Major corporations are suing mom-and-pop businesses. You can’t rely on your small size to protect you from corporate litigation Durham NC or anywhere in the US. Without an existing relationship with an attorney, you could be left scrambling for representation, with no time for evaluation or trust-building, if you’re hit with an unexpected lawsuit.
Completion of Required Paperwork
While litigation is a worst-case scenario, an attorney has value in the day-to-day running of the business. He can make sure your business license is current, file and maintain your incorporation paperwork. He helps protect your intellectual property with trademark filings and ensures you have all the necessary permits for your line of work.
Within the business, he can be a valuable resource for everything from dealing with problem employees to offering benefits. Your attorney is there to reduce your liability and keep your profits within the business.
Overseeing Business Relationships
Perhaps most importantly, an attorney oversees your business relationships, reducing misunderstandings and potential liability. When he filed your incorporation paperwork he helped you and your partners clarify how profits would be divided. Now he reviews your contracts to make sure that everyone’s obligations are clearly defined and they are written in such a way that they are enforceable if something goes wrong.
Finding a business lawyer shouldn’t be a last-minute decision. When you take the time to find an attorney that will work with your growing business, you are investing in a relationship that can preserve your business from lawsuits, fees or fines. Protect the ideas you’ve had, the employees you’ve hired and the business you rely on.