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Hire the best lawyer for your business

Own a small business and need legal assistant? Lawpath's small business lawyers have you covered.

What is a small business lawyer?

A small business lawyer is a type of lawyer who specialises in providing legal advice and assistance to small businesses. Small business lawyers have an intricate understanding of the various challenges and legal requirements small businesses are faced with when operating, and are driven to protect their clients’ interests whilst concurrently assisting them to navigate the complexities of the laws impacting small businesses. Small business lawyers will offer a wide range of services that are catered to the necessities and needs of small businesses and their owners. Examples of these needs small businesses may assist with include business formation, the drafting and reviewing of documents, intellectual property protection and dispute resolution.

What is the difference between a small business laywer and commercial lawyer?

Small business lawyers may be more specialised to assist with particular business needs than commercial lawyers who work on large matters. This includes attaining the correct permits and understanding the complex rules, legislation and regulations that apply to small businesses, but do not apply to larger businesses. Small business lawyers also have an in-depth understanding of how small businesses operate in industries that have room for growth, and are driven to assist small businesses in growing their business within that chosen industry.

What services are offered by a small business lawyer?

Small business lawyers offer a wide range of legal services tailored to the unique needs and challenges faced by small businesses. These services are designed to provide comprehensive legal support throughout all stages of the business lifecycle, from formation to operation and growth. Some services offered by small business lawyers include:

• Business Formation
Small business lawyers assist entrepreneurs in forming their business, and choosing the business structure which most suits their needs and everyday operations. Small business lawyers will help in streamlining the process of business formation through filing necessary documents and registering the business entity with relevant state or local authorities.

• Contract Drafting & Reviewal
Small business lawyers specialise in the contracts specific to small businesses and in response, have an in-depth understanding of how to draft and review contracts. Documents typically needed by small businesses include employment contracts and agreements such as supplier agreements and shareholder agreements. Hiring a small business lawyer to assist with these areas of document drafting will ensure legal compliance and set the business up for success as it grows.

• Compliance
Small business lawyers specialise in compliance specific to small businesses on all levels of government. Providing guidance and assisting businesses in understanding all areas of compliance necessary is a key task small business lawyers are assigned with.

Seeking legal assistance for small businesses can be difficult and potentially financially draining. Lawpath has a large number of lawyers who specialise in small businesses and their operations for an affordable price.

What are the benefits of hiring a small business laywer?

Hiring a small business lawyer is a proactive method in ensuring a small business has the capacity for future success. Having an advisor present from an early stage can ensure that you receive advice that is well-suited to the specifics of your business and your goals for that business. Some benefits of hiring a small business lawyer includes:

• The Protection of Business Interests
A small business lawyer works to protect the interests of small businesses and their owners through ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and regulations that govern the business’s operations. Small business lawyers will draft and review documents that protect business interests, alongside providing legal advice or representation when disputes arise.

• Time Costs and Savings
Hiring a small business lawyer is a worthwhile investment to save time and money in the future, despite the upfront costs. Hiring a small business lawyer outsources legal tasks that small business owners may not be aware of, providing clear and concise legal advice that prevents costly mistakes from arising in the future.

• Customised Legal Advice Small business lawyers differ from larger commercial lawyers as they have the capacity to tailor legal solutions that are specific to small businesses and their operations. Small business lawyers understand how to navigate and assist small businesses no matter what stage in the business life cycle they are currently in.

How much does a small business lawyer charge?

The amount a small business lawyer charges will vary depending on various factors such as experience, time and qualifications. A small business lawyer will typically charge by the hour, meaning the legal costs will grow with every minute used to drafting, reviewing and providing legal advice in relation to contracts. Lawpath uses lawyers that provide small businesses with assistance on a fixed-rate basis, which means you will be given a clear price from the outset and won’t have to worry about whether the lawyer has been efficient on the clock. Additionally, lawyers on a large team within firms can have a large workload which may mean that the timeframe for completion is uncertain, while our legal team is agile and reliable. Our lawyers also provide quotes from our lawyer network, meaning you can work with lawyers that are best suited to your financial and legal needs.

What are the signs I need a small business laywer?

Running a small business comes with various legal considerations and challenges. Knowing when to seek the guidance of a small business lawyer can help protect your interests, navigate complex legal issues, and ensure compliance with laws and regulations. Below are some signs that indicate the need for a small business lawyer:

• Assistance Needed for Business Formation

Starting a new business or contemplating a change in structure for a small business is likely to require legal assistance. This is due to business formation requiring a large amount of documentation and legal boxes to be checked. Small business lawyers can guide small business owners through choosing the most appropriate business structure for the daily operation of their business.

• Hearing Contractual Matter
Ensuring all contracts are legally compliant is vital to ensure future success as agreements which are not compliant with legislation, regulations and common law may lead to financial and legal detriments in the future. Additionally, lawyers can help you ensure that your contracts are drafted to suit the interests of your business.

• Lack of Intellectual Property Protection

Small businesses are often innovative, with most successful businesses being creative in how they design and provide their products and services. With this comes the necessity to ensure such ideas are being properly protected under intellectual property. Small businesses assist in this matter, applying for patents, trademarks and copyrights to ensure small businesses have their products and/or services are correctly protected.