Starting a small business of your own can be a real challenge as much as it is a satisfaction. On the one hand, any business, however small, demands time and hard work on your part as its proprietor. On the other hand, running such a business will give you the satisfaction that derives from knowing that you have what it takes to be an entrepreneur in your own right. As it is, a business enterprise can give you the financial freedom that is otherwise impossible to gain if you are just an ordinary employee or professional. One’s own business is therefore considered as an indicator of achievement, and even prestige.

Before starting your business enterprise, however, you should make sure that you understand all matters related to it. It is a fact that some investors who have the capital to initiate a start-up business get confused over many things such as the pertinent laws and legal requirements that must be met before starting to operate the business itself.

It is one of the most important factors to consider hiring a business attorney, then, in starting a small business. First and foremost, a business attorney can assist you in dealing with complex legal requirements in starting and operating your small business. They are also in the best position to offer sound advice that relates to legal matters attendant to the operation of your business.

A business lawyer assists businesses in formulating a legal structure or the entity of the business. In addition to this, they assist in getting business licenses, partnership agreements, operating agreements, initial director’s meetings, stock certificates, share registrations, just to name a few. They handle the tax implications of EIN applications, tax exemption filings, state business authorizations, employment compliance, and option plans. They will also form the nondisclosure agreements as provided under business formation guidelines.

A business lawyer’s services also include preparation and review of contracts, shareholder, intra-company disputes, sale and purchase of businesses, intellectual property protection, disclosure laws, secured transactions, and restricted stock transfers.

Hiring a business lawyer is not difficult. You can hire one through referral or use web services. On the web, you will find various legal firms offering different specialty legal services and associated levels of experience and expertise. A good business lawyer should be capable of advising you on nearly every legal matter.

A business lawyer can save your business assets from lawsuits by taking legal steps to protect them. The legal advisor should be present with you in nearly every business scenario. When you are busy in your business, your lawyer is there to look after all company matters like liability, taxes, autonomy, debt and finance, employee issues, contracts, etc.

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At one point in our lives we all need a lawyer. For employers this becomes a bit more often depending on the situation. Lawyers by trade know the state they passed the bar exam for. They know the laws for the state the practice in, this means they know the penal codes and other bits many of us do not. They know the ins and outs of situations all lawyers have a concentration. Such as family law, employment laws and so on make sure your lawyer is trained for employment law.

Situations when you need a lawyer the most

Firing an employee can be a tricky situation; if you do not consult a lawyer; since employees may sue for wrongful termination. The employment lawyer will tell you when a firing is legal this minimizes a lawsuit. When the employee has benefits that are due to pay out soon; get opinions as to how to deal with this. When the worker has access to a high security clearance within the company; this means they have access to confidential information about your company. When the employee denies committing the acts in which you are firing them for even after investigating them. You need an employment lawyer when firing over excessive absences since they can be covered under the FMLA act. You need to watch when you fire a female in an all male environment. You need an employment lawyer if the employee has filed a claim with a government agency. You need to consult a lawyer about discrimination and harassment complaints. Should you feel an employee has the ability to harm your other employees then you need a lawyer. You also need to consult a lawyer if the employee is disabled, pregnant, or practices some religions. You also need to consult a lawyer if the employee has a contract that limits how they can be fired.

You also need a lawyer when you classify employees as exempt and non-exempt for tax purposes. Another situation is when you have large layoffs, or plan to change a benefit such as remove the retirement plan. It is also wise to have a lawyer for contracts and agreements both new and older. Having a lawyer look over the employee handbook and company policies keeps you from being sued later. When employees bring serious claims it could result in you having to pay damages.

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