Common Tasks Business Lawyers Take On
What Do Business Lawyers Do For Companies?
Starting a business is tough work and there are legal ramifications around every corner. Any business owner is going to want to start off on the right foot and protect themselves from future problems and situations that can arise. A business lawyer can help with a number of things. These are some of the most common tasks a business lawyer will take on for a company.
Partnership Agreements
While you might want to trust those you work with and put faith in a simple handshake, it really doesn’t do your business any good. You’re going to want to create formal agreements, whether you’re brainstorming on napkins or working on huge deals. Partnership agreements reflect everyone’s rights and their obligations so the working relationship between the individuals or companies is all laid out. That way, everyone understands their responsibilities up front and you have something to fall back on if your partner isn’t meeting their end of the deal.
Various Negotiations
Business lawyers come in very handy when it comes time to negotiate. They might work on the behalf of the business to negotiate:
Office Spaces
Your lawyer knows lease terms and the various jargon that goes into a contract you’ll have to sign. They can ensure you won’t get saddled with huge automatic rent increases and that you have a decent termination policy in case you want to move. Having them negotiate the deal can save businesses a lot of headaches later.
Vendor Services
Depending on your business, you might have to work with one or a variety of vendors. You certainly don’t want to get burned in that process. A business lawyer can help you go over the contract and note liabilities, termination options, dispute resolution, and more to make sure you don’t get in over your head.
Acquisitions Or Other Relationships
Down the road, as your business grows, you might want to merge with another small business or take over an established company. Those business relationships can be formed through the business lawyer, who will help you bet the other companies to see if the opportunity that presents itself is a good one or not. Even if you don’t merge or take over a company, you might work with another small business on projects and you will want to formalize the relationship to make sure everything goes well.
Drafting Contracts
Contracts are often filled with a lot of legal language and only a business lawyer can keep track of what it means and what needs to go into certain contracts. Contracts are a very important part of any business and the business lawyer can take care of that angle completely.
Organizing Documents And Fees
Business often have a lot of documents and there might be fees involved with certain elements. The business lawyer can act as your agent on file and pay your fees and address other situations that the documents dictate need attention.
Getting Help From A Business Lawyer
If you’re ready to at least talk to a business lawyer about your needs, contact the professionals at Stokes O’Brien.