Business owners face a wide range of legal matters when opening and running their business. While it is possible to run a business without legal representation, doing so can complicate matters significantly. Properly filing the necessary paperwork to comply with state and federal laws involves a substantial amount of documentation. Failure to complete this paperwork accurately can result in fines and other expensive consequences. This is just one of the many things an experienced Houston business attorney can help you with.
What are Your Company’s Legal Needs?
The nature and objectives of your business will determine the legal expertise that is most valuable to you. For example, if you own a technology company, then you might be satisfied with a corporate attorney or firm that specializes primarily in intellectual property rights and licensing, even if they have little expertise in other areas of corporate law. If you run a more generic manufacturing or service business, then you might merely need a contracts expert to assist you with client negotiations, drafting and finalizing agreements, maintaining proper corporate records, and so forth.
To better define your company’s legal objectives, you can ask yourself the following:
- What legal guidance does my company need (regarding employees, contractors, government regulations, taxes, customer warranties, and so forth) in order to avoid future liability?
- Where are there efficiency or competency gaps in the company’s daily operations?
- What are my short and long-term goals for the business?
- Does the company need to raise additional capital?
- Does the business need to lease or purchase any commercial property?
- Does the business need to restructure its existing debt or capitalization?
- Does the company need to acquire or dispose of any assets?
- Am I considering a sale of the company or taking the company public?
- Does the company need to create additional divisions or subsidiaries?
Clearly defining your company’s needs allows you to proceed with your attorney search in a more productive manner.
The Initial Consultation
With each recommendation, you should set up an initial consultation so that you can share the full scope of your legal needs with your prospective counsel. If possible, you should conduct this first meeting in person, and the attorney should offer to do so at no charge (note that if you ultimately hire the attorney, you should review your first invoice to confirm that it does not include a charge for your initial consultation).
The introductory meeting should serve many purposes. You should fully explain your business goals and the role that you expect your attorney to fulfill. You should ask as many questions as necessary to determine whether the attorney exhibits the requisite competence and sincere enthusiasm to adequately address your business concerns.
People often describe their business as their “baby” because it often feels like the company itself is an additional member of the family. You need a lawyer who will treat your business like a member of your immediate family. Furthermore, you should have a rapport with your attorney that allows you to talk to them not only as a friend and trusted confidant, but also as a customer who expects a premier level of service. Respect breeds respect — and results.
You both should use the meeting as a way to manage expectations. From your perspective, you should be sincere and direct about your general management style and the amount of time and attention you’ll require from your counsel. Similarly, your candidate should give you as much detail as possible about how their attorney-client relationship typically works, how much they will be personally involved in the process, how much they might delegate to others, and so forth.
Working with an experienced business formation lawyer in Houston, such as Attorney Lanease Fuller, can help you to cover all of your bases so you can start your business without missing any necessary steps. Protect yourself and your dream of owning your own business by working with our firm. We will work with you every step of the way to make sure you have taken the proper steps to avoid legal or civil consequences.
Attorney for Small Business Legal Services in Houston TX
Attorney Fuller is a seasoned attorney with nearly three decades of experience representing a wide range of clients. This includes individuals who have suffered an injury due to another’s actions, individuals facing criminal charges, those who have been arrested for DWI, individuals who have found themselves in a civil litigation dispute, and those looking for legal guidance in business.
After filling out a client intake form, Attorney Lanease D. Fuller will take appropriate action in your case to help you get the results you are looking for. This includes but not limited to gathering evidence, going to trial, and earning a settlement that is appropriate for your specific situation. Reach out to us today to take the first step towards settling your case.
LANEASE D. FULLER LAW
4615 S. Frwy St. 820
Houston, TX 77051
713-439-7400
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