There are many different legal requirements that your business may need help and support with from a professional. Your lawyer will be an essential partner and support to keep your company or organisation healthy and successful. Are you baffled by the choice and not sure where to start? Here are three top tips to help you choose the best lawyer to suit your business needs.
1. Think about your business requirements
Narrow down where your business is likely to need assistance. Do you need support with commercial contracts or are your issues more likely to be in the field of property law such as conveyancing or tenancy agreements? If you have a wide span of legal needs, then these can be best served by a medium or larger law firm with different departments. Occasional work can be serviced by smaller firms where the professional fees are lower. Alternatively, very specific requirements will direct you to specialist lawyers like patent attorneys.
2. Understand the different types of lawyers
Lawyers qualify in a jurisdiction and legal qualifications vary around the globe. If you are looking for someone who just deals with English law, then you may be more comfortable with a lawyer who has studied and passed the SQE (Solicitors Qualifying Examination) in the UK or the bar exam in the US. The type of professional legal qualification can dictate where and how a lawyer may practice. Some UK law firms have international offices which offer access to specialist legal help in other countries, this is useful if your business has a global presence, or you can look for a law firm within the relevant jurisdiction. Always check that your chosen lawyer has the correct qualifications and the right to practice in the country you are looking at.
All lawyers focus on one legal area post-qualification. Check that they have the right specialisation and enough experience. For complex and non-routine legal matters, you may require a lawyer with a lot of experience and access to expert legal opinion.
3. Check your budget
Professional legal fees can be expensive. Larger firms with more lawyers and offices tend to charge more. Lawyers usually bill at an hourly rate. This can depend not just on the size of the law firm but the seniority of the solicitor. If your legal requirements can be identified and organised over the course of a year, then it may be possible to agree on a fee for a retainer service for certain elements of your business. Ad hoc jobs will be charged at the standard hourly rate.
Conclusion
Your choice of lawyer is crucial for the success of your business. Lawyers are proactive as well as reactive to legal problems and disputes. It’s essential to form a good business relationship with either a suitably qualified individual or a legal team. Choice can often come down to personal preference and will to some degree, depend upon the individual nature of your business.
