Every established business needs a lawyer. A business lawyer will take care of the legal aspects of your business, allowing you to handle other aspects. Nevertheless, selecting the right business lawyer can be a very difficult undertaking. The lawyer you select should be knowledgeable about your line of business and represent your interests. The following are six questions to ask before hiring a business lawyer.
- How Much Experience Do They Have?
The most important question to ask a business lawyer before hiring them is how much experience they have in the industry. The lawyer should have previous experience in your industry. It would be best if they provided you with a referral list of past clients for confirmation purposes.
- How Much Do They Charge?
The next question you should ask a lawyer is how much they charge. Some lawyers charge a flat fee, while others charge by the hour. Many lawyers require a flat upfront payment to cover their out-of-pocket expenses. However, you should ask to ‘hold back’ 10 to 20 percent of the flat fee if the lawyer doesn’t do the job well. Ensure you can afford the lawyer you decide to hire.
- Do They Provide Free Consultations?
Before you hire a lawyer, it would be best to know if they provide free consultations. A good business lawyer should provide free consultations to attract more potential clients. Free consultations will save you money.
- How Do They Communicate With Clients?
You don’t want to have a lawyer who barely communicates with you. Ask the lawyer if they communicate with clients and how often. The communication doesn’t have to be direct. You can communicate via phone or email. The lawyer should also have a team to contact if they are busy or out of town.
- Who Will Work on Your Case?
You should ask the business lawyer about other people who will be working on your case. It is common for lawyers to assign cases to paralegals. It would help if you asked what workloads these paralegals will handle and vet their expertise.
- Are They Local?
Ask the business lawyer about their location. You should hire a lawyer within your town in case you want to meet with them regularly. A lawyer from your town is also well-versed with business regulations in your area.
These questions will help you hire the best business lawyer for your business. A good lawyer should be experienced, affordable, and available 24/7.