Find An Attorney

Family, friends and business acquaintances are all excellent places to start your attorney search. Why is this, you may ask? Quite simply, the word of a close friend or relative means a lot more than a stranger’s, and let’s face it: it can be downright difficult to rely on reviews of products let alone an individual’s services. That’s why getting suggestions from others on who to hire can be so helpful. Maybe they use this attorney and swear by them, or maybe they have a friend that swears by them. Regardless of the connection, a recommendation from a trusted source is a great way to find a good attorney.

Find A Good Attorney Online

As everyone knows by now, the internet is an excellent resource for finding out just about anything. So why shouldn’t your quest for the perfect lawyer venture to the web? There are many legal directories online with up to date information onhow to find a good attorney in your area. You can search by location, specialty and more. What’s really great about this format is that the attorneys have much more of an interaction with you initially before you even hire them. The firm or lawyer descriptions in the directory tend to be much more personable and provide detailed information on their practice. You can make an informed decision and find a good attorney for you just from these choice words placed online.

Each listing has in depth contact information as well, making it super easy to drop them an e-mail or call them up with your questions. Since the internet makes everything easier, it’s no surprise it has made getting a lawyer a snap as well. Here are a few places to start your search to find a good attorney.

- www.attorneypages.com
- www.martindale.com
- www.lawyers.findlaw.com
- www.lawyers.com

You can also search for attorney by typing in “attorney” + “your state” or “type of practice” This should bring up directories for your state only, further narrowing your search.

Use The State Bar Association To Find A Good Attorney Each state has a bar association that can help you find a good attorney that is right for you. All you need to do is call them up, tell them why you need a lawyer, and they’ll connect you with one that performs the types of services you need. However, be aware that you will usually be charged a fee for this referral service. It can be worth it though especially if you’re unsure of how to find a good attorney for your particular legal problem.

Visit: http://www.abanet.org/barserv/stlobar.html to find the contact information of your state bar association so you can get started.

Find a Good Attorney With Legal Assistance Services

If your business is just getting off the ground and you are currently falling into the “low-income” bracket on your taxes, you may qualify for legal aid. Legal aid offers very low-cost or no-cost legal services. However, be warned that legal aid typically deals with individual issues such as those that involve transactions between tenants and landlords or family disputes. You can call your state bar association (find the number by using the link above) or even your local county court.

Find An Attorney With Local Directories

A printed directory may seem like an out of date tool, but many people, whether individuals or businesses, still find their lawyers by means of print ads in the phone book. Pull out your Yellow Pages and start looking. However, it is important to note that the phone book does not exactly have the most detailed listings and you may end up with a lawyer that does not have the skill set necessary to handle your business. For a more thoroughly detailed directory, try the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory. This big, fat book is not one you should purchase. Just go to your local library and flip through their copy. You should be able to find plenty of information on attorneys in your area.

Really, finding a lawyer in your area with the qualifications you need is fairly easy. The hard part comes up next when you learn how to find the right lawyer out of the pack. So make sure you use as many resources as possible to find a good attorney.

Post from: Find An Attorney

Find An Attorney

We both know that it is a big decision when you
choose an attorney to back you and your business.

How does a new business owner choose an attorney?
After all, that is the crux of protecting a business.

Lawyer Up can show you how to do just that, with
sections like:

- Are You Comfortable?
- Are Your Opinions Respected?
- Do They Know What You Need?
- Do You Know What They Will Be Doing?
- Are They Open With Information?
- Do They Get Back To You Quickly?

We’ll also show you how to avoid a bad lawyer:

- Stay away from lawyers that don?t specialize in the
areas you need services for. While they may be
perfectly competent lawyers, your business is worth
someone that knows exactly what they?re doing.

- If they take an unnecessarily long time to get back
to you, find someone else. If you have a legal
emergency, you need to have someone available to tend
to your legal needs and you should not have to hunt
them down.

- If you feel uncomfortable or unsure when you are
around the lawyer, find another attorney. You do not
need to deal with these feelings while trying to get
important legal matters taken care of.

Make sure that you look out for these negative traits
that you want to take close note of because this
person is going to be protecting your business!

These are just a few of the many suggestions that will
help you find an attorney that will work for you.

Make sure that you really take notice of these things.

You don’t want to be half way into something that
requires your attorney’s legal advice just to find
that he’s unwilling or unable to act in your best
interest.

Post from: Find An Attorney

Choosing An Attorney

This can be difficult. You know next to nothing about
law. That?s why you?ve hired a competent lawyer to
care for all of your legal needs, right? However, if
you are utterly clueless, how can you be an accurate
judge of their performance?

No need for advanced law degrees here. All you need is
a bit of common sense and the ability to pay close
attention. You can assess your attorney?s job
performance by:

Their Willingness to Talk to You

You shouldn?t feel like you have to drag every little
bit of information out of your lawyer. They should
come forth with important information readily and
willingly. You?ve hired them to complete documents or
try a case for you, so you deserve to know everything
they know about your business.

Presentation of Work Completed

Again, since you are paying for a lawyer to complete
certain work, whether it be contracts or copyright
paperwork, you should periodically ask to see these
documents. You have every right to see them and it
will be a good way to gauge your lawyer?s work. Also
check to make sure all documents that were supposed to
be filed have been. If they have not been filed, find
out why.

Request Copies of All Paperwork

Along with asking to see all documents that are
written and filed, make sure you receive a hard copy
of each. You need to have a set of your own records
just so you can keep track of your lawyer?s progress.
Plus, if you have to undergo some sort of litigation,
you should have your own paperwork so that you can
keep track of your business on your own. This also is
useful just in case you ever decide to hire a
different lawyer. You?ll have all of the paperwork
necessary to bring the new lawyer up to speed.

Their Ability to Follow Through

You shouldn?t have to hold your lawyer?s hand, but it
is important to check up on them every once in awhile
to ensure they?re doing the job you?re paying them to
do. If they say they?re going to call you back, take
note how long it takes them to do so. If they say
they?re going to file a document, check to make sure
they actually did. Your reputation is on the line
here, so make sure they are representing you well.

How They Notify You of the Timeline

You should always have an idea of how long each and
every project will take. Whether it is the drafting of
a contract or a trial, you should always have a good
idea of the projected timeline. This way, you can hold
your attorney to this timeline, roughly, and gain a
better idea of their competency. An attorney that
repeatedly fails to meet their timeline may not be the
best choice for your business.

How They Notify You of Your Options

You always have options when it comes to legal matters
and your lawyer should make you aware of all of yours.
If he doesn?t, ask. If he isn?t forthright with
information, seek it out. If you have to do your own
digging each and every time you need to know something
from your lawyer, it might be time to start looking
for a replacement.

How They Bill You

Lawyers cost a lot of money. There?s just no getting
around that fact, and securing a good one for your
business is crucial. Don?t let the fact that attorneys
cost a lot make it so you fail to read their bills
closely. How much are they charging you and for what?
Do the fees agree with the service agreements you
signed?

One way to resolve any billing issues is to set a date
by which you will be billed each month, if applicable,
and to request itemized billing. This way, you know
exactly when you have to pay and specifically what you
have to pay for.

Post from: Find An Attorney

Evaluating An Attorneys Work

Go To Those You Know

Family, friends and business acquaintances are all
excellent places to start your lawyer search. Why is
this, you may ask? Quite simply, the word of a close
friend or relative means a lot more than a stranger?s,
and let?s face it: it can be downright difficult to
rely on reviews of products let alone an individual?s
services. That?s why getting suggestions from others
on who to hire can be so helpful. Maybe they use this
lawyer and swear by them, or maybe they have a friend
that swears by them. Regardless of the connection, a
recommendation from a trusted source is worth it.

Hit The Web

As everyone knows by now, the internet is an excellent
resource for finding out just about anything. So why
shouldn?t your quest for the perfect lawyer venture to
the web? There are many legal directories online with
up to date information on lawyers in your area.

You can search by location, specialty and more. What?s
really great about this format is that the attorneys
have much more of an interaction with you initially
before you even hire them. The firm or lawyer
descriptions in the directory tend to be much more
personable and provide detailed information on their
practice. You can make an informed decision on the
right lawyer for you just from these choice words
placed online.

Each listing has in depth contact information as well,
making it super easy to drop them an e-mail or call
them up with your questions. Since the internet makes
everything easier, it?s no surprise it has made
getting a lawyer a snap as well. Here are a few places
to start your search:

- www.attorneypages.com
- www.martindale.com
- www.lawyers.findlaw.com
- www.lawyers.com

You can also search for lawyers by typing in ?lawyer?
+ ?your state? or ?type of practice? This should bring
up directories for your state only, further narrowing
your search.

Contact Your State Bar Association

Each state has a bar association that can help you
connect with a lawyer that is right for you. All you
need to do is call them up, tell them why you need a
lawyer, and they?ll connect you with one that performs
the types of services you need. However, be aware that
you will usually be charged a fee for this referral
service. It can be worth it though especially if
you?re unsure what type of lawyer you?d need for your
situation.

Visit: http://www.abanet.org/barserv/stlobar.html to
find the contact information of your state bar
association so you can get started.

Legal Assistance Services

If your business is just getting off the ground and
you are currently falling into the ?low-income?
bracket on your taxes, you may qualify for legal aid.
Legal aid offers very low-cost or no-cost legal
services. However, be warned that legal aid typically
deals with individual issues such as those that
involve transactions between tenants and landlords or
family disputes. You can call your state bar
association (find the number by using the link above)
or even your local county court.

Good Old-Fashioned Print Directories

A printed directory may seem like an out of date tool,
but many people, whether individuals or businesses,
still find their lawyers by means of print ads in the
phone book. Pull out your Yellow Pages and start
looking. However, it is important to note that the
phone book does not exactly have the most detailed
listings and you may end up with a lawyer that does
not have the skill set necessary to handle your
business. For a more thoroughly detailed directory,
try the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory. This big,
fat book is not one you should purchase. Just go to
your local library and flip through their copy. You
should be able to find plenty of information on
attorneys in your area.

Really, finding a lawyer in your area with the
qualifications you need is fairly easy. The hard part
comes up next when you learn how to find the right
lawyer out of the pack.

Post from: Find An Attorney

How Do I Find A Lawyer?

You want to meet with an attorney so you can decide
whether he or she is the right match for your business
before you decide to hire him or her.

Here?s another wonderful update from Lawyer Up. To
show you what this wonderful new attorney manual has
to offer, let me give you an excerpt of an actual page
from this course.

When you meet with an attorney for the first time,
make sure you have a list of questions prepared so you
don?t forget anything. Your list might look something
like the following:

Do You Have Any References?

This one is so important, it had to come first.
Lawyers talk for a living, so they can surely convince
you their services are needed, but hearing first hand
from someone else how great they are and what they did
for their business is a sure selling point. Don?t ever
hire a lawyer without a reference or two.

How Long Have You Been Practicing?

While a young, enthusiastic lawyer can be great, it is
usually your best bet to go where the experience lies.
You want someone that has been in practice several
years, has been an attorney for other businesses and
understands the unique needs of your company. Don?t
settle for anything less.

What Are Your Areas of Specialization?

Some lawyers operate a general practice, while others
specialize in one or two particular areas of law. You
will most likely want a business lawyer that either
deals with transactional matters or litigation
matters. You can sometimes find business attorneys
that deal with both types of business law. This may
even be better for you as you?ll have someone to take
care of your everyday needs and litigation issues
should they ever arise.

Do You Have Specific Experience Related To What I
Need?

Now this does not mean that the lawyer has to have
represented a business exactly like yours before.
Think generally in regards to business type
(corporate, retail, sole-proprietor, etc) but specific
when it comes to services. Did he or she draft
contracts? Did they represent a business in court?
Regardless of your needs, make sure this lawyer has
done it before.

Have You Ever Found Yourself Subject to Disciplinary
Action?

Just because a lawyer has made a mistake in the past
does not necessarily mean they are unworthy of hiring.
However, it is important you ask this question and
receive an honest response. As a potential client, you
have every right to know why they were brought up on
any malpractice/ethics/disciplinary charges and the
result of these claims. An ambiguous response may be a
sign to move onto the next lawyer on your list.

Be extremely attentive when conducting this interview
to make sure that what answers you are getting really
match with your overall business plans.

Post from: Find An Attorney

Interviewing An Attorney

They Know the Drill

Even though you may be completely competent at running
your business, lawyers are trained specifically in the
law and know how to deal with all of the unique
situations you may face. Whether you have a small
business or are looking to incorporate, a lawyer can
tell you what you need to know, when you need to know
it and follow through with their own advice. You won?t
have to go struggling around to find answers to your
law-related questions; rather, you?ll have someone on
hand ready to answer your questions and take action.

They Are Professionals

Even though you may think you know a thing or two
about law, don?t ever think you know more than someone
who went to law school and has trained in it as their
career. Sure, it can even be helpful to the lawyer
that you hire that you know a thing or two about what
you need and why. However, relying on the sound advice
of a pro is the best way to do business.

They Take Care of the Paper Work

You may find throughout your career of running a
business that it takes a lot of paperwork to keep the
company afloat. Regardless of what industry you?re in,
paperwork always plays a role. Now you can always use
a template for your contracts and important documents
but that is certainly not recommended. You should have
contracts drafted by a lawyer so that they can be
customized for your business. A good lawyer can write
and rewrite contracts and other documents so that each
of your clients, or what have you, receive paperwork
that is legally binding and accurate.

They Keep Good Records

If you find you have a hard time keeping track of
everything related to your business, hiring a lawyer
might just be the right choice. While they are not
meant to be your personal organization system, a
lawyer can certainly keep track of all your legal
documents and have them ready for easy reference
should the need arise.

They Can Help You Avoid Trouble

So many people think only about their needs in the
moment rather than in the future as well. While it is
important to concentrate on the task at hand, it is
beneficial for you and your company to think about
what could happen potentially. Legal troubles are
always a possibility with a business and that is why
hiring a lawyer before you run into problems is the
smart thing to do. They can advise you so that you
avoid making decisions that could get you into legal
hot water later on.

They Can Help You Hire Others

As a business you have to think about the people you
are going to hire as employees. For instance, you?ll
want to make sure that your employment contract is
legal and non-offensive. The last thing you?d want to
do is be discriminatory in the paperwork your
employees have to sign! Lawyers can help you dodge
this legal landmine before it goes off!

They Are Available for Consultation

This may seem like a small thing, but there?s nothing
more comforting than knowing you have reliable legal
counsel on hand whenever you need it. If you want to
make a big decision about your company, your lawyer
can guide you in the right direction. Plus, since
they?ve been working with you a long time, they can
provide you with the best advice on the spot.

They?re Up On Financial Matters, Too

Lawyers can help you make great financial decisions
for your business as well. This does not mean that
they will replace your accountant or other financial
advisors, but a lawyer can give you the legal advice
you need. Another great benefit of a lawyer is that
they can help you sort out everything you need to do
in order to put your business up for sale and make the
necessary financial arrangements.

So now that you know a few of the ways lawyers are a
fantastic addition to your business, we can move onto
more important things like deciding on the type of
lawyer you need.

Post from: Find An Attorney

Reasons An Attorney Is Important

While you hire a lawyer to take care of the legal
matters you don?t know how to handle, you are not
completely useless when it comes to the law. In fact,
you can play a big role in the legal aspects of your
company with great benefit to you.

One-On-One Legal Training

While you may not think so, having a lawyer is like
having your very own personal law trainer. Now this
doesn?t mean that you can bug them every single day
with every single question you may have. It does mean
that you can utilize their knowledge for your benefit.
If you actively attempt to learn what they do for your
company, you?ll reap the rewards.

Gain a Better Understanding of Your Business

All good business decisions are founded in good legal
decisions. If you are able to understand why your
lawyer advises a certain legal move, you?ll understand
how to better run your company, and who doesn?t want
to be a better businessperson?

Save Money

If you have your lawyer complete every little legal
thing for your business, you?ll run up a serious tab.
Not to mention, that money could be spent in other
areas such as marketing or product development that,
in the long run, would be more beneficial to the
growth of your company. By stepping out and doing some
of the legal work on your own, you save some
significant cash.

How You Can Become Involved

Doing some of your own legal footwork is not all that
hard if you know what do to and how you can become an
active participant of your lawyer-client relationship.
Here are some ways you can do some work on your own:

Write Your Own Contracts

I know what you?re thinking. ?Why did I hire a lawyer
if I?m just going to write contracts myself?? The
answer is simple. The lawyer in these cases should act
as a person to run your contract by to ensure it is
accurate and legally binding. You can easily find
sample contracts online in legal speak and all. Once
you?re done drafting the contract, send it over to
your lawyer with a note about what it is for. They?ll
look it over and you?ll save a lot of money. All
they?re doing is proofreading, which means a lot less
billable hours.

Research Your Legal Decisions.

While your lawyer may be a well of information, you
may be charged for each discussion you have, and
spending hours having something explained to you is
really not worth it if the information is available
elsewhere. A good rule of thumb is if the
clarifications are general and can be found easily,
such as on the internet, don?t use your lawyer. Spend
some time at home or at the office researching these
legal issues so you have a greater understanding of
the situation and so you can save money.

Maintain Control

This is your business we?re talking about here. Even
though the lawyer is the legal expert, what you say
ultimately goes. That?s why taking control of some
legal aspects or at the least assisting, is vital. You
should have a clear understanding of what is going on
with all parts of your company. By digging in your
heels and exerting your authority when necessary, you
keep control of your business and allow your lawyer
the opportunity to fully understand your goals.
Essentially, you need to think of your lawyer as an
advisor. Only you can make the big decisions.
When to Back Off

As with everything in life, there are exceptions to
the rule. Most of the time, you can benefit greatly
from pitching in your own time and effort into your
legal affairs. However, sometimes it?s better if you
leave it to the professionals.

You should take a step back and stay out of the fire
when:

- You are being convicted of a serious crime.
- The lawyer vehemently believes your opinion is a bad
choice for your company.
- You have specifically sought out a lawyer?s advice
on a matter.
- You don?t understand the law.

These are just a few of the instances in which doing
legal work on your own is a bad idea, but enough with
the negativity. Let?s learn how to save money on your
legal fees!

Post from: Find An Attorney

Things You Will Benefit From Doing Yourself

Lawyer up is just what you, as a new business owner, need to
answer your questions concerning legal counsel. This new ebook
asks the same questions you have and then summarizes the answers
for you in easily understood laymen?s terms.

Finding the right lawyer for your business can be confusing if
you don?t know what to look for. That’s why Lawyer up was
designed. It explains the different types of lawyers to look for
dependent on the type of business you are opening. It gives you
research guidelines to begin looking in the right places.

Then it even gives you the list of questions to ask a
prospective attorney so you don’t choose one that will fall
through down the road. It gives you specifics to look for in
legal counsel that are positive and will benefit you, while
helping you to avoid the negative aspects you may run across in
your quest.

It directs you to things like attorney fees and explains the
different ways lawyers charge. It discusses billing, how to set
up payments, and even shows you how you can save your business
money by explaining how you can even do some of the legal chores
yourself. Lawyer up even prepares you in the world of documents
and contracts.

You don’t want to leave any loopholes in your business that may
end up costing you your entire business, your home and all your
savings do you?

Be the smart new business owner whose business thrives because
you began it on the right foot instead of just another has-been
who watched their dreams go down the drain. Start smart! Don?t
give your potential profits away to a competitor. You have
nothing to lose and only a booming business to gain!

Make sure that you close the gab of possible disaster by
having a professional handling your legal matters.

Post from: Find An Attorney

What A Lawyer Can Do For YOU!

You might be considering starting a business or
might already have one running. Either way, it’s
absolutely essential that you have an lawyer!

Why do you need a lawyer for your business?

The question isn’t “Do I really need a lawyer”. The
question is “Why don’t you have one yet?”

Most new business owners think the same thing. They
don’t think their business is large enough to even
bother with legal counsel. Unfortunately, too many
find out too late finding a good attorney was the very
best thing they could have done for their business
initially.

?Lawyer Up? is the newest ebook to help answer all
your questions. It will not only explain that you do
need a lawyer, but it will tell you why.

Legal advice, drafting necessary legal documents and
organizing them, protection from fraudulent customer
claims and a host of other services is what a lawyer
can do for you. Not only will this book go through the
step by step process of choosing a lawyer that?s right
for you, but it will show you how to avoid those that
cannot help you with the specifics of your business.

A lawyer can really add a new level of security to
your business that you may have never thought possible!

Smart business owners whose businesses thrive succeed
because they take care of their business from the
ground up. Choosing just the right attorney is one of
the most important decisions you’ll ever make.

Check out http://sitename.com for more details!

Make sure that you really consider what a lawyer can
do for you and take into consideration the benefits
of having one helping you in your business.

Post from: Find An Attorney

Why You NEED A Lawyer!