People commonly feel simultaneously thrilled and overwhelmed when starting their businesses. Those who are serious about business growth and prosperity often have more on their plate than they can handle. Hiring a business startup attorney may help to ease at least some of the burdens and headaches associated with beginning and operating a startup business. An attorney can help to develop strategies for protecting the business and business owner from liability, debt, and legal action. If you are ready to get your business started, consider contacting a knowledgeable business startup attorney at Von Rock Law by calling the San Francisco, California, office at (866) 720-0195 to discuss your legal needs for your business.
Reasons Your Startup Business Needs an Attorney
Starting a business can be one of the most exciting and risky ventures a person will ever undertake. Unfortunately, not everyone who starts a business knows all the steps to take, which is why so many businesses close their doors in the first few months or years. According to a 2021 report by the United States Small Business Administration, more than 159,000 businesses closed in California between March 2019 and March 2020. A large percentage of businesses close because of a lack of legal guidance. Many companies face liability issues or quickly growing debt. Other business owners eventually become overwhelmed from dealing with taxes. Some people believe it is not necessary to establish an entity until after their business is profitable; however, unfortunately, a business is exposed to liability whether they are making money or not, and establishing the correct entity at the onset will limit liability from the beginning.
What a Business Startup Attorney Can Do to Help
A skilled business attorney may help a business owner avoid some of the mistakes that other business owners and entrepreneurs often make and ensure that important steps are not overlooked when starting the business. Some of the reasons why you need a business startup attorney include:
- Choosing a business entity—According to the United States Small Business Administration, the choice of a business entity can affect everything from taxes and liability issues to day-to-day operations. An experienced attorney can advise a new business owner about available options and act as a guide through the entity selection and formation processes.
- Handling registration and licensing matters—Depending on the business entity chosen, the new business owner may be required to register the business and obtain the necessary licenses and permits. This can be one of the most misunderstood stages of starting a business, which is why new business owners may need an attorney to make sure that the company complies with applicable laws and requirements.
- Drafting, reviewing, and managing contracts and agreements—Contracts and agreements may contain hundreds or thousands of complex legal terms. As someone with no legal background, a new business owner may not understand the language used in contracts and agreements when signing or drafting them. Therefore, many business owners hire attorneys to help them draft, review, and manage these important legal documents.
- Managing liability risks and preventing lawsuits—Many businesses fail because their owners do not pay enough attention to managing liability risks and protecting themselves from lawsuits. An experienced attorney from Von Rock Law may be able to help by explaining certain legal strategies to prevent a business or business owner from being sued.
Everything You Need to Know About Hiring a Business Startup Attorney
After reviewing the above reasons as to why you need a business startup attorney, you may be wondering how to hire the right one for your startup business. If you are looking for an attorney to help with your startup, ask yourself the following questions to help you choose one who will be the right fit:
- Who is the “right” attorney for me? When a new business owner is looking for a business startup attorney, he or she should consider one who is experienced, qualified, and competent to properly address the business’s unique legal issues.
- For what purpose do I need a business startup attorney? When a new business owner is searching for an attorney, it can help to clearly understand the reasons for hiring an attorney. Writing down a list of the steps that an attorney can help with will allow the new business owner to determine what kind of legal support is needed.
- How much am I willing to pay? When starting a business, new business owners may not be able to afford an attorney who charges higher rates per hour. Determine how much you are willing to pay in attorney fees and be sure to understand the attorney’s fee structure before signing any contract. Oftentimes, a flat fee agreement to establish an entity will allow more control in the total expenditure.
- Does the attorney have the necessary experience and expertise to help? Hiring an attorney with experience working with startup businesses can be critical to your business’s success. Inquire about the attorney’s track record of working with startups—ideally in the same industry—before making a decision about which attorney is a good fit.
- What should I be aware of when looking for an attorney? There are certain red flags to avoid when searching for an attorney who is the right fit. Avoid an attorney who is not experienced in the industry in which you are operating. Make sure the attorney has appropriate experience overall. Avoid an attorney who is not straightforward about fees or who does not communicate with clients in the way that will work best for your company.
Contact an Experienced Business Attorney Today
Knowing more about why you need a business startup attorney will help you to seek the legal guidance a new business owner needs to promote the growth and success of the business. Hiring an attorney can be a worthwhile investment to make when starting a business because a skilled attorney will be able to handle the legal aspects of getting the business started while the business owner can focus on building and growing the business. For customized solutions tailored to your unique business needs and goals, consider contacting an experienced business attorney at Von Rock Law by calling (866) 720-0195 today to schedule a free consultation to discuss the services available for your business.
