There are many advantages to starting a small business, including being your own boss and achieving financial independence. However, when starting a small business, there are also many opportunities for errors—many of which are legal in nature. Therefore, before starting a small business, it is advisable to seek legal guidance. In this article, we discuss the advantages of hiring an attorney when starting your small business.
An Attorney Can Help You Choose the Correct Business Structure
When starting a small business, you must choose a business structure. Different business structures, such as limited liability corporations, have multiple pros and cons to consider. If you make the wrong decision regarding your business structure, you may leave yourself exposed to unnecessary liability. An experienced attorney will recommend the appropriate business structure for your business based on an examination of the nature of your business, your goals, and other factors.
An Attorney Can Help You Avoid Lawsuits
When you run a small business, the threat of litigation is always looming. Every employee you hire, customer you serve, and entity you do business with presents a potential litigation risk. Fortunately, an experienced attorney can take steps to protect your business from lawsuits. For example, a good attorney can help ensure that your business complies with employment laws, has proper agreements in place, and develops policies and procedures designed to mitigate risk.
An Attorney Can Draft and Review Contracts
Contracts are the foundation of most small businesses. Therefore, when starting a business, you must ensure that all your contracts are legally sound. If your contracts are poorly drafted, you place your business at risk. When you work with a business attorney, she will help you draft and execute contracts that provide you and your business with maximum protection.
An Attorney Can Protect Your Intellectual Property
Finally, as a small business owner, it is imperative that you protect your intellectual property. Intellectual property typically consists of things like logos, inventions, product designs, original works, business services, and trade secrets. If you lack the proper protection, then your competitors can easily steal or copy your intellectual property, and this can result in decreased competitiveness in the marketplace and lost profits.
Fortunately, however, an experienced business attorney can help you take the steps necessary to protect your business’s intellectual property. In addition, an experienced attorney can help you enforce your intellectual property rights should another party infringe upon them.
Contact a Florida Corporate and Business Law Attorney
At Gueronniere, P.A., we provide legal guidance and representation to small business owners throughout the state of Florida. Led by experienced attorney Grace de la Gueronniere, we have what it takes to fulfill your corporate and business law needs. Please contact us as soon as possible to schedule a free consultation with our talented Florida attorney.