When you decided to start a business, the chances are you started out with a great idea. Businesses don’t just start from nothing, there is always a brilliant mind behind it with an invention, an idea, or simply a solution to a problem.
Every single business offers a solution to a customer problem, which means that even if you invented something new you’ve done it to help somebody else. It’s likely that you decided to start this business by yourself, but you really need to consider the legal help you could use to help you find your way.
You might not think that you need a legal team to help you to start your business, but if you’ve never invented anything before the chances are you wouldn’t know that you might need a patent attorney to help you. There are plenty of laws that apply to a start-up business, and these laws differ based on your situation and the specifics involved.
Even if you decide to go alone and not put up with somebody else, you need to be able to protect yourself from personal liability. The chances are you’re going to need a lawyer for your start-up, and this list shows that there are plenty of times you’ll be on the phone with yours.
- Contracts. The chances are you are going to need a number of contracts for your business, whether that’s for services and supplies, office space, and even contracts for your employees, you need help. If you have agreements between investors or employees and even the agreement for your office lease, you need to get it right. Having a lawyer at the end of the phone or an attorney in your office can really help.
- Licenses. If your business entity is required to register with the state in order to be recognized properly, you’re going to need the right license. You’re also going to need to have a legal team to tell you what you need and what to sign for it. Obtaining a license or a permit can often mean you need some legal advice.
- Forming your business. Are you going alone as a sole proprietor, or are you making an LLC or corporation? This may sound like gobbledygook to you, but the right lawyer will be able to point you in the right direction for your form and what you need to do to set your business up correctly. When you choose the wrong entity, you can end up personally liable for the wrongs of partners or employees and that’s never a good thing.
- Business location. A lawyer could help you to determine whether or not you meet the conditions for beginning and conducting your business in one state or multiple states. There are certain businesses that are not accepted in certain states, so you need to be aware of this and that’s why a sound legal mind can help.
Your startup could need a lawyer and if you’re not sure, the best thing to do is ask!