I know what most people think about attorneys. My father is a retired police officer, so trust me I have heard all the jokes. But guess what? They’re wrong when it comes to hiring an attorney and working with them to help protect and grow your business. We aren’t all scum, and we aren’t all out to just make a buck.

I hope as a business owner you view hiring an attorney as a huge step in the right direction. When you hire an attorney it is an indication of how successful you are becoming and how far you are going to go.

Once you have made the decision to hire an attorney there are a few things to keep in mind! Although this list is not exhaustive, and it won’t necessarily provide you with names or contact information for a great attorney for you and your business. It will help you find the right person.

By asking yourself the below questions you will be better suited to find the perfect attorney fit for you.

4 Questions That Will Help You Hire an Attorney for Your Small Business

 

1. What do I want to get out of the relationship?

First and foremost, you need to ask yourself what it is YOU expect from an attorney client relationship.

Do you want someone that gives you unfettered access to them?

Or are you ok with email communications once a month only?

You want to get very clear on what it is you need from your attorney, so that when you meet with different ones you know what to ask. It’s important to note that some attorneys handle all of their clients the same way. I on the other hand deal with clients differently, based on their needs. Some clients hire me to file a trademark application and that is it. Others call me when they have a quick business question or need a contract drafted or reviewed.  Knowing exactly what you need will help you find the right fit.

 

2. Personality types matter, so what do you like?

In your business, you most likely surround yourself with people that think like you. Hopefully they are at least as passionate and motivated as you are to accomplish your goals. I personally love to work with clients that are friendly, don’t take things too seriously, and are insanely passionate about what they are creating. Maybe you like very serious, get it done type of people and you’re not interested in having a little fun along the way. That’s fine. You just need to know what type of people you like to work with! When you hire an attorney, you are going to work closely with them for certain things as your business grows, so your personalities need to jive.

Before you hire an attorney be sure to ask them who they typically like to work with, and try to feel them out a bit personality wise. It may seem a little silly to you, but it matters. #smallbusiness #legaladvice Share on X

 

3. What is their experience working with clients in your industry?

This one is a big one. When you hire an attorney, you want someone that understands your business and the industry you are in. It doesn’t do you any good to hire someone with 30 years of experience but has no clue what online business is if you’re a blogger. It is always best to find someone that has experience in your particular business or profession. I wouldn’t hire a personal injury attorney to file my trademark application or advise me on a terms of sale for my e-course. Would you?

Don’t be afraid to ask each attorney you meet with what their experience is in your industry. You can ask specific questions about your business and it’s needs to see if this attorney is the right fit. If they work with clients similar to you, and can answer your questions then you will likely feel more comfortable hiring them. Not all small business attorneys are going to know your niche. Don’t be afraid to ask the tough questions about their experience!

 

4. What is the budget? 

Last but certainly not least, you will need to identify exactly what your budget for legal is. You should be flexible but still give yourself an idea of what the most you can spend on legal in a month or year is. Also consider how you want to structure the use of this budget.

Attorneys structure their billing in multiple ways. Some attorneys still bill by the hour. Others bill flat fee or even have monthly subscription plans that give you quite a bang for your buck. (I offer that so email me if you’re interested!)  Maybe you only need an attorney on a project by project basis and you don’t need a monthly agreement or in house type services.

Whatever the case may be, know what your budget is and hire an attorney that fits in that budget and can provide you the best work possible.

Don’t be afraid to discuss your budget with the attorney.  It is better to be up front about fees and costs than wait until it’s too late.

Here’s a tip before going into these meetings: Try and determine what the industry standard is for legal services in your industry. You don’t want to set an unrealistic budget for yourself or the attorney.

And with that I say go forth and find the right attorney for your business! You should be excited, and proud of yourself knowing that you are ready to take this next step in your business. Think of your attorney as a team member and I promise you can’t go wrong.

 

If  you’re interested in working with me or have questions send me an email to and let’s chat!

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Shannon Montgomery

Shannon Montgomery is a Florida and California licensed attorney living the dream with a virtual office located in Texas. She started her practice for many reasons, the main one being she loves to help business owners build their dream businesses, and lives. When she isn’t helping clients build and protect their brand through legal, you can find her in the gym! For more information on Shannon or other great articles like this, check out her website at www.montgomerypllc.com find her on Instagram @MontgomeryLawPllc or Facebook at Montgomery Law PLLC