Guide to Finding California Business Lawyer

What is a California Business Lawyer?

California Business Lawyers are lawyers in the state of California who specialize in business, financial and corporate matters and are usually employed by one or more business. They help to ensure that businesses don’t get sued by employees and that business agreements are upheld. They’re also necessary when it comes to writing up new contracts and stipulating renting and leasing agreements. They can help a young business grow strong and ensure that a long existing and successful business stays in the clear of employment laws and tax regulations.

Areas of Specialization

While it doesn’t offer a general specialization in business, the State Bar of California does offer several specialization exams which are pertinent to businesses and which many CA business lawyers can proudly tout. These can serve as extra certification that lawyers are competent in these important fields:

• Bankruptcy law

• Franchise & distribution law

• Taxation law

• Workers’ compensation law.

How to find a California Business Lawyer

In order to find the best CA business lawyer for your needs, your best bet isn’t conducting online searches or going through the Yellow Pages but rather searching through an attorney referral service certified by the California State Bar. This ensures that the attorney in question adheres to the Bar’s ethics codes and are well-informed on recent laws and innovations in the field of California business law. The California State Bar’s website includes a directory which divides referral programs by county. Many referral services specialize in business or corporate law.

Another good source of information is simply asking coworkers and family members if they have positive feelings towards a CA business lawyer that they’ve dealt with previously. If so, they’ll probably do good work for you as well.

However, no matter how many precautions you take or how many positive referrals a California business lawyer may have, there is still the chance that he or she will take advantage of your business, charging unacceptable fees contrary to what you were prepared for. If this happens, contact the California State Bar immediately to seek financial compensation and to ensure that this doesn’t happen to another small business.

Fees and Payment

While large businesses can boast having several CA business lawyers on their payroll, small companies may not be able to afford such expenses. For them, the most popular move is to retain an attorney for a flat fee in exchange for specific legal services, such as assisting in the drafting of a new contract.

Other fees can be associated with business lawyers as well. Additional fees for drafting documents may be stipulated, and the lawyer may ask that an hourly fee be paid for the services of assisting staff, such as paralegals and legal researchers. If the CA business lawyer directs you to a different CA business lawyer, you may be charged a referral fee. All such fees should be agreed upon in advance.

A business might also be able to keep a California business lawyer on retainer if his or her services are frequently requested for such services as drafting documents. A strong bond often forms between businesses and the CA business lawyers they keep on retainer.

Types of California Business Lawyers

Just as businesses serve countless human and societal needs, there are numerous types of business lawyers to serve a diverse range of needs. This is just a sampling of some of the types of CA business lawyers you might encounter or whose services you may require.

• A Business Formation Lawyer: A CA business lawyer who helps companies that have recently formed make sure that their business is legally and financially sound. Lawyers who specialize in business formation certify that a business is legally solvent with a certified business plan, which will assuage investor fears. Other duties can include assisting with leasing and rent negotiations and having a hand in drafting new employee contracts. Business formation lawyers are also important for the formation of corporations, such as Lower Liability Corporations, that are used by non-profits for the purposes of tax law.

• A Franchise and Distribution Lawyer: A California business lawyer with specialized knowledge about laws governing distribution relationships. Franchise and distribution law combines many different types of laws, such as trademark law, antitrust law, contract law, international law and laws governing mergers and acquisitions.

• Worker’s Compensation Lawyer: A California business lawyer who specializes in laws regarding workers’ compensation. If your business enters into a dispute with an employee regarding their pay and benefits, this is the type of attorney that it would benefit your company to employ.

• Taxation Lawyer: A California business lawyer specializing in state and federal tax law. These lawyers are helpful in finding special loopholes which can save your business thousands in tax fees, but, like business formation lawyers, they can assist in the formation of tax-exempt corporations. It’s important that your taxation lawyer is qualified since nothing can cripple an emerging company like a tax dispute.

Alternatives to a CA Business Lawyer

California business lawyers can be very expensive, often prohibitively so for small businesses. Some choose to use alternatives, such as software that can assist in drafting legal contracts. Of these, the most popular is Quicken Legal Business Pro, published by Nolo.com. Such software programs are much cheaper than hiring CA business lawyers, but only if used correctly. A poorly organized and drafted form could cost thousands more in later legal action.

Interviewing a California business lawyer before hiring him to work for your business.

These are questions you should ask your CA business lawyer before you hire him or her.

1. What are your credentials?

2. Do you have areas of specialization that are certified by the State Bar of California?

3. How busy will you be, and how much can I expect you to concentrate on my case?

4. Can I contact you directly?

5. What is your fee?

6. Do you charge paralegal or legal researcher fees?

7. What fees do you charge for drafting documents?

8. Are you available to be put on retainer?

9. If you cannot assist me, do you know of another California business lawyer who can?