Starting a small business started usually involves taking on several important tasks simultaneously. Choosing the right location and registering your entity are crucial first steps. However, there is more to building a successful venture than just hanging up a sign and opening the door. You will also need the advice and guidance of an experienced small business attorney to help support and protect your enterprise now and in the future. Therefore, it’s essential to know the key qualities you want in your legal counsel. Here is more on what to look for in your Florida small business attorney.
Knowledge and Experience
When hiring a lawyer to assist you with your small business, you want to be sure to choose counsel with relevant knowledge and experience. An attorney can be licensed to practice Florida law for years and not know about or be experienced in a specific legal area.
Florida business law involves several specific statutes and regulations. Your small business lawyer should know the applicable law and how it works in the business context. You also want a small business attorney who understands Florida business practices and how certain statutes and regulations will impact your operations. Your counsel should also have extensive experience assisting clients with their Florida business needs. Working with a lawyer who understands business and has extensive experience advising and assisting small business owners is crucial.
A Broad Range of Skills
Another feature you want in a small business attorney is a broad range of skills. Operating a small business can involve several distinct legal and operational issues. Therefore, your counsel should be knowledgeable about legal topics such as business formation, taxation, regulatory matters, employment concerns, copyright and trademark law, contracts, and more. You want to work with a small business attorney who has the diverse skill set needed to support all your business areas and needs.
Listening Skills
Working with a Florida small business attorney means having someone at your side who can help you identify, prepare for, and resolve issues. To effectively perform these tasks, your counsel must have excellent listening skills.
When an attorney does not appear attentive or is talking over their client, it can be a sign that they are not fully considering the client’s concerns. You should be able to meet with a small business attorney and feel like they have listened to you and asked appropriate questions. Your small business attorney is there to help you evaluate, plan, and problem solve. It’s important that you feel heard and that they are there to support you and your businesses.
Responsive and Professional
As with any area of your business, you want to work with someone responsive and professional. Therefore, your small business lawyer should be attentive and conduct themselves in a professional manner.
When someone represents you and your interests, how they interact with you matters. You want to feel comfortable with your small business attorney and that they will get back to you regarding your concerns in a reasonable amount of time. Although your attorney may not be available immediately, they should be responsive to you and your requests. You also want to feel you are being treated with respect when interacting with them and their office.
Contact an Experienced Florida Business Lawyer
Attorney Richard Sierra at the Florida Small Business Center assists clients like you with commercial leasing, business, and litigation matters. As always, Our Goal Is to Help You Succeed™. For an appointment, you may call us at 1-866-842-5202 or use the contact form on our website. We represent clients throughout the State of Florida, including Coral Springs, Coconut Creek, Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Pompano Beach, Sunrise, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, West Palm Beach, Jupiter, Deerfield Beach, Stuart, Port St. Lucie, Orlando, Naples, Fort Myers, Sarasota, Tampa, and surrounding communities.