Finding the Right Small Business Lawyer

Finding a small business lawyer isn't the same as finding a personal lawyer; you need an attorney who specializes in small businesses and has sufficient experience to represent you. It is also a good idea to further specify that you'd like a small business lawyer who has worked with small businesses in your industry to maximize your success. Above all, you need an attorney who can devote adequate time to your small business and who can satisfy all claims that might be filed against you.

One of the best ways to find the right small business lawyer is through referrals. When an attorney comes highly recommended by a client, you can usually trust that he or she will be right for your business. You can also get referrals from other professionals you use, such as your accountant, your banker or your marketing consultant. Often, small business owners rely on attorney referral services, but you have to realize that those businesses are paid to make referrals -- they aren't necessarily based on objective experience.

If you can't get a referral through a friend or trusted professional, your next best bet in finding a small business lawyer is to use the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, which can be accessed through Lawyers.com. This directory contains not only listings for attorneys all over the U.S., but also a rating system that is based on the reviews of other legal professionals.

Once you have garnered a list of acceptable prospects, you'll need to interview each small business lawyer and find out exactly where their differences lie. Some attorneys will have higher fees than others and some will be more available with their time. Depending on the nature of your small business, you'll need to make an educated decision based on your need and your available monetary resources.