Over the last month, I’ve dealt with three different attorneys about issues with my office space.
The first one had experience with real estate law but didn’t know much about the rent stabilization rules that affect my building. The second gave me inaccurate information about the building’s zoning. The third lawyer I turned to finally gave me a clear picture of my situation. Even better, she had previously represented another tenant in my building, so she had experience negotiating with the landlord.
Rarely does the perfect lawyer land on your doorstep, and I was lucky to find the third attorney. This experience reminded me of how critical and challenging it is for home-based business owners to find the right legal counsel. Good lawyers are needed for reliable legal advice and services, like drafting legal correspondence and reviewing official documents.
The best way to find an attorney for your home-based business is to ask for referrals from other small-business owners, your accountant or trade associations. This is how I finally found the lawyer who helped me. Once you’ve gathered names, explore the following areas with each attorney before making a final choice.
– Small-business experience.
Lawyers who have worked with other small businesses are more likely to understand the challenges and issues that your company faces than those who deal with large corporate clients. For example, small-business attorneys may have experience dealing with cash-flow crunches and contractual agreements with outside resources like accountants and public relations agencies.
– Industry experience.
Ideally, you’ll find a lawyer with experience in your field, or a related one. This background may benefit you when it comes to dealing with legal issues that are common in your industry. For instance, if you’re a graphic designer or jingle writer, an attorney who has worked with book authors may have knowledge of royalty structures and copyright laws that he or she can apply to your needs.
– Fee structure.
Ask the attorneys how they will charge for their services. Common payment arrangements include fixed fees, hourly fees and retainer fees. The lawyers may require you to pay these in advance, on a monthly basis or after work has been completed.
Find out how they handle one-time issues that may arise, and make sure they will give you project estimates for this work. If you plan to work with your attorney on an as-needed basis, you can keep legal costs in check by avoiding unnecessary calls, preparing documents before meetings and providing accurate details about your needs.
– Specialty.
Because attorneys specialize in specific types of law, you’ll want to look for one with experience in the areas you’re most likely to need. These may include incorporation and/or business structures, employment law, real estate and intellectual property law, among others.
– Responsiveness.
Ask attorneys about their current workloads and confirm that they have time to service your account attentively. Offer sample scenarios and ask how quickly the work related to each might be turned around.
For example, if you need guidance on the wording in a nondisclosure agreement, how soon could you receive the attorney’s feedback? Before you officially hire a lawyer, ask for references from his or her current clients to assess the attorney’s commitment to quality service.
– Support team.
If you are dealing with a law firm, as opposed to an individual attorney, ask about its support staff. Who will be handling your work? If legal aides and associates will be involved, ask to meet them to make sure you’re comfortable with their professionalism and experience. Confirm that you will have access to the lead attorney on your account whenever you feel it’s necessary.
Alice Bredin is author of the “Virtual Office Survival Handbook” (John Wiley & Sons) and a nationally syndicated columnist.
