What is one type of small business attorney that every entrepreneur should have in their contact list, and why?
To help entrepreneurs discover the best attorneys to know, we asked small business owners this question for their best insights. From intellectual property attorneys to bankruptcy attorneys, there are several types of attorneys that every entrepreneur should have in their contact list.
Here are 7 types of small business attorneys to know:
Intellectual Property Attorney
Tax Attorney
Contract Lawyer
Small Business Lawyer
Business Litigator
Employment Attorney
Bankruptcy Attorney
Intellectual Property Attorney
Small business owners sometimes falsely believe that they have no assets other than their products, however, that is a fallacy as they have other items of potential value requiring an intellectual property attorney to protect. It is a misnomer that if your business is in a common market space, or is not well known beyond general location, that you do not have intellectual property assets. Logos, monikers, phrases, promotional works, websites, blogs, and other business creations, can all fall under intellectual property, and if not protected, can be used by others, and sometimes to the great detriment of your business. Having an experienced intellectual property attorney who not only makes certain that all trademarks and licensing are properly filed, but also, that no one infringes on them, can protect your brand, reputation, and business from possible damage.
Yuvi Alpert, Noémie
Tax Attorney
A reputable attorney who is well-versed in tax laws is a person you always want to have in your corner. Businesses center around generating income, and there are a lot of financial responsibilities associated with that. The last thing you want is to be caught off-guard if the IRS audits your company.
Nancy Belcher, Winona
Contract Lawyer
Every entrepreneur should have access to a contract lawyer. A contract lawyer can help you draft and review contracts for your business. If you are entering into a business partnership, or selling a product or service, you will need a contract lawyer to make sure your interests are protected.
Matthew Ramirez, Paraphrase
Small Business Lawyer
Every entrepreneur should have an attorney who specializes in small businesses. This type of attorney can help you with a variety of issues, such as incorporating your business, setting up contracts, and trademarking your products. They can also provide advice on taxes and other legal matters that are specific to small businesses. In short, having a small business attorney is essential for any entrepreneur who wants to protect their business and ensure its success.
Claire Westbrook, LSAT Prep Hero
Business Litigator
Despite good intentions and a glass half-full outlook, it’s inevitable that most entrepreneurs will run into a sticky situation at some point during their career. Whether it's a business partner absconding with funds, a landlord interrupting your startup’s operations, or a competitor infringing on your IP, things will go south at some point. However, these situations can sometimes be salvaged quickly and efficiently with a sternly worded cease and desist letter or an abrasive phone call from a hard-nosed litigator. Nothing scares people more than getting a call or letter from a lawyer. Even if you know you’re in the clear, you’ll still dread the idea of protracted litigation and thousands of dollars in attorney’s fees. In short, the simple threat of business litigation is enough to get some people to reverse course. So my best advice is to have a good business litigator in your contact list in case you need to scare someone straight.
John Ross, Test Prep Insight
Employment Attorney
Every entrepreneur should foster a good relationship with an employment attorney as they head toward business growth. Employment law is a niche that often requires specialized knowledge from a business lawyer. When hiring (and in some cases, firing) employees, there are a broad range of issues that can arise. Employment attorneys can assist with reading over employee contracts to pinpoint any vulnerabilities for the business. They are also a good ally to have when a business matter regarding employees comes up that you don’t know how to legally handle.
Stephanie Venn-Watson, fatty15
Bankruptcy Attorney
If your business struggles with cash-flow issues or has run out of options for restructuring its debt load, bankruptcy may be right for you. A bankruptcy attorney can help you file bankruptcy petitions that would allow your business to reorganize under court supervision or liquidate assets through bankruptcy proceedings, depending on what best fits the situation at hand. These are typically complex matters that require the technical expertise of an attorney.
Marc De Diego Ferrer, MCA Assessors
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