How to Choose a Business Attorney

    DALLAS, TX, April 29, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- If you are considering starting your own business, or if you have a business, you should consider getting a business attorney. A business is a legal entity, bound from its incorporation through its eventual dissolution by laws. Every day your business will be faced by legal issues, so hiring a business lawyer is a great idea. Here's a quick (not comprehensive) guide to picking a business lawyer.

First: Do You Need a Lawyer?

Based on the above, you'd probably guess that the answer is yes, and for most businesses it makes sense to have a relationship with a lawyer, whether you pay a monthly retainer or just have someone you work with on a regular basis. Here are some of the common tasks business lawyers perform:

- Forming a company, including deciding on corporation, LLC, LLP, LPA, etc. and registering business for tax ID number with federal and state governments
- Writing contracts
- Helping to evaluate and revise commercial leases
- Registering and protecting intellectual property
- Business litigation
- Filing for bankruptcy or dissolution

If you are starting a business, you know you will need the first, and you need to be prepared for the last, so that's at least two situations where you will need a business lawyer. If you're going to do business with other companies, especially service providers, (which is highly likely) having a lawyer to review your contracts makes sense. Most businesses need commercial space, and you will probably have intellectual property you want or need to protect, so there are several more situations where you will need a business lawyer. The choice is up to you, but a business lawyer can significantly increase the likelihood that your business will succeed.

Second: How to Find a Lawyer

As always, it's best to talk to people you know to see if they might have recommendations. If someone strongly recommends their business lawyer, you should add the name to your list of candidates, but don't make a decision too quickly. You can add to your list by doing an Internet search and by visiting directories of local lawyers. Be aware, though, that many directories are paid, so referrals may not be any better than looking at advertisements. Visit a lawyer's website to find out if the information there makes you feel more confident in the lawyer's skill to represent your business. You should have a significant list of lawyers to choose from at this point.

Third: Choosing a Business Lawyer

The first thing to do is write a short but thorough summary of why you need a lawyer. This will help you be clear about what you need in a lawyer and help ensure you get a lawyer who can do all the things you need them to do. Be sure to note any special legal aspects to your business.

Next, visit lawyers' websites and see if a business lawyer seems to do what you want them to do for you. If you can find a list of representative clients, see if there are any in it that are similar to your business. Then contact a lawyer and ask for references and a list of representative clients (if there wasn't one on the website). Use this information to narrow your list to a few lawyers.

Next, schedule consultations with lawyers. Use your summary to convey your needs quickly and effectively and listen to how the lawyer responds. If their response brings up more questions, ask and see if you get good answers. Then ask yourself:

Does the lawyer have all the skills I need?
Is the lawyer interested in being my lawyer and not my business planner?
Does the lawyer communicate well?
Are the lawyer's fees reasonable?
Is the lawyer's office convenient to my office?
Do I feel comfortable with the lawyer?

Although the last question is often used mostly as a tiebreaker between lawyers, you should make it a necessary question. Never work with a lawyer with whom you don't feel comfortable.

If you would like to learn more about business lawyers in Dallas, please visit the website of Dallas business law firm Polewski & Associates today at www.polewskilaw.com.

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