As with most things in life, when it comes to business law firms, there is plenty to choose from and quite a few things to consider before hiring one. You do not need to stress about this on your own though. Hiring a small business attorney quite early on in your business’s formation is a smart way to make sure that you are indeed dotting all of your I’s and crossing all of your t’s while still keeping your attention on the larger picture.
Before you get too far along in the game though, you will want to hire the services of a small business attorney to keep you in compliance with all of the various legal issues at play in your industry. This legal issue triers whether your business is under any type of tax obligations. You may even be required to retain an employment attorney to handle any labor issues that result from your employees. Such an attorney will have the inside track on all employment laws and regulations pertaining to your industry that you need to be aware of. As well as knowing how to legally terminate employees, he or she will know just the right way to negotiate a severance package for them if and when that becomes necessary.
Employment laws pertaining to small businesses include the Fair Labor Standards Act, and the Americans With Disabilities Act. These two federal statutes were enacted to protect all workers in all industries, regardless of their size. It is also important for small businesses to be aware of the OSHA regulations that apply to them. Every employer in violation of OSHA regulations can get fined millions of dollars, so this is a very important matter. Hiring a small business attorney is a great way to keep all of these threads together and in line with what you need to do on an everyday basis.
A small business lawyers’ clinic can help you with all of your employment issues, along with hiring a CPA (certified public accountant) or other payroll specialist to handle your tax obligations. Often times small business owners are unaware that they have been incorrectly using their business’s payroll and profits and can face serious penalties if they are not properly able to do so. Having a small business lawyers’ clinic can take care of this for you, as well as any issues that come up because your business is a sole proprietorship or one with multiple partners.
Most business owners will be surprised that there are differences between a sole proprietorship and a small business. For instance, in a sole proprietorship, the owner has complete control over his or her business. He or she has no involvement with any of its other owners. There are a variety of differences in small business law that deal with how much involvement the owner has in his business. One of the biggest differences is that the owner of a sole proprietorship has significantly less liability than that of the owner of a small business.
If you run your own business and have questions, an experienced business and corporate lawyer in Chicago can provide the expertise you need. A small business owner will most likely work with his or her attorney most of the time, but sometimes an attorney will hire a business lawyer for specific purposes. Whether you work with a lawyer or attorney-on-fact, it is important to have a lawyer on your side who will defend you against fraud, mismanagement, ownership issues and so on. You may be facing huge bills and trying to do what you can within your means, but without the right representation, you could find yourself financially devastated.
Every legal entity has a unique set of circumstances. The Small Business Association provides professionals who can provide you with the legal information you need to make good decisions and grow your business. There are also several websites that offer small business law advice and help. These sites can help you get a better understanding of small business laws, along with making contact with local experts. There is a growing need for small business lawyers in today’s business climate. While some have chosen to go it alone, many companies are working with attorneys and legal entities to create stable, long-term business relationships.
If you’re involved in any type of legal dispute or crisis, it’s critical to maintain a separate legal entity. This can shield you from personal liability if something goes wrong or you become injured. As a small business owner, it’s also very important to set up a separate legal entity for the business. Protecting yourself from personal liability or loss can make a big difference in your ability to run your business successfully. Contact an attorney to discuss your small business law options.