Before you go and establish your business, it is always smart to consult a lawyer first. Remember, it is never too early to hire a commercial attorney but hiring one after being sued is considered too late. Whether you are starting a small or medium business or a large one, you want to make sure that you get legal assistance before everything else.
When consulting with a legal professional, you need to ask the right questions to know that your prospect is the right one for you. Here are some questions you should ask during your consultation.
What aspect of business law do you specialize in?
Before anything else, the most important thing you should ask is the practitioner’s area of specialization. Remember, business law covers a whole lot of matters and you might need an expert on its many aspects. An attorney that focuses on the general area of commercial law is a good thing. This way, you can consult with them about anything concerning your business.
However, you might need to hire a specialist if your company belongs to a highly regulated industry such as technology and finance. Look for a reliable insolvency & bankruptcy lawyers in Brisbane to assist your legal concerns. You want to make sure that your prospective lawyer will be able to provide the best counsel for your industry, especially with regards to regulations and compliance.
Can you refer me to other litigation lawyer if need be?
Aside from their focus, knowledge and experience on the subject, you want to make sure that you hire an attorney that has a comprehensive network. Remember, you may be relying on the legal professional you hire but you might also need help from lawyers who specialize in other areas for different reasons.
Because of this, you need to make sure that your lawyer will be able to recommend other professionals who can help you with other legal matters. For example, you and your business are acquiring properties as part of your expansion project. You might need a few recommendations for competent Brisbane building and construction lawyers and you should be able to ask your attorney about that.
How do you bill your clients?
Lastly, you want to make sure that you only hire an attorney which you can afford. You would not want to come across financial issues if it turns out that the service fee of the expert you hired is way above your budget. Because of this, never hesitate to inquire about their billing process.
As questions about how much they charge. Is the amount fixed or flexible? If fixed, what is the basis of the amount? For flexible, do they charge by the hour? Asking these questions can help you ascertain if the professional is the right one for you given your current financial situation.
Hiring a lawyer should be the first thing on your mind when starting a business. By asking these questions, you can rest assured that you are on the right track not only in terms of hiring a great lawyer but also in terms of your business venture.