A business lawyer helps you choose and form the right entity, paper your relationships with partners, investors, employees and customers, and buy or sell companies. Most expensive business disputes trace back to a handshake deal or a template contract. Good counsel early is far cheaper than litigation later.
What a business lawyer does
- Forms LLCs and corporations and drafts operating and shareholder agreements
- Negotiates leases, vendor, customer and financing contracts
- Handles mergers, acquisitions and business sales
- Resolves partner disputes, buyouts and dissolutions
When you need a business lawyer
- You are starting a business with a partner or taking investor money
- You are signing a commercial lease, franchise agreement or large contract
- You are buying or selling a business
- A partner, vendor or customer dispute is escalating
Questions to ask before you hire a business lawyer
- Which entity type fits my liability and tax situation?
- Do you offer flat fees for formation and standard contracts?
- Have you handled businesses in my industry?
- How do you work with my CPA?
Find a business lawyer near you
Choose your state to see listed firms and the official bar directory for verifying any lawyer’s license.
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