Friday, July 6, 2012

Benefits of Hiring A Business Lawyer

While the importance of an accountant is well-understood by businesses, with regard to tracking finances and maintaining business operations, the reason for hiring a business lawyer is not so apparent. Due to this, most businesses don't hire a lawyer until they are sued. However, the services of a good attorney are essential for most aspects of your business, whether it concerns zoning compliance, trademark advice, lawsuits or liability. An attorney's help is imperative to safeguard all the hard work that has been put into the business. The benefits of the ongoing services of a corporate or business lawyer are discussed here.

Business lawyers are well-versed with statutory rules and regulations of government agencies, and can guide their clients towards achieving their goals within the limits of the law. In other words, they can structure business transactions legally by assessing contract law, tax law licensing, etc. relevant to specific aspects of the business. For instance, they will help you prepare the standard contracts with customers and suppliers, and also respond appropriately to contracts drawn by other people. When it comes leasing a commercial space for setting up an office or a retail store, an attorney will have a 'tenant's addendum' added to the lease document, ensuring that it has provisions that will benefit you. If your business pertains to design, creativity or some media, where 'intellectual property' is involved, your lawyer will ensure that your products or services are registered for copyright and trademark protection.

Taxes and licenses are important areas that require a lawyer's intervention. Though an accountant is responsible for preparing and filing tax returns every year, it is the lawyer's responsibility to register the business for tax identification numbers and throw light on the tax consequences of basic transactions involved in the business. A business lawyer ensures that commercial transactions are legal, and do not conflict with local or state laws. Big businesses have many advantages in hiring the services of larger law firms. Firstly, they can get all the types of services or skills under one roof. Secondly, they can gain some influence in the local or regional legal community. In other words, there are a lot of intangible benefits in getting associated with a reputable law firm. Renowned law firms have an identity in investment banking and capital communities. As a result the business can get introduced to financiers or use the firm's name as reference to acquire certain business deals.

An experienced business lawyer will have an incisive mind and robust communication skills. Such a lawyer will not give vague answers when you have a question, but will present all the available options and guide you take the right decision in a given situation. Proficient business lawyers work on lengthy processes of negotiations to revise legal documents that bind business parties in a transaction. Business law is basically team-oriented, i.e. the parties involved in two sides of a transaction are not stern competitors. Hence, lawyers work towards a common ground for either client, striking a favorable business deal.

Looking for a business lawyer in Houston? Our Houston business lawyers have years of experience, vast knowledge, exceptional skill, and a diligence to protect your rights under the law.

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