Albuquerque Startup Attorneys & Lawyers

Why Hire a Startup Attorney?

When you start a business, you want everything to go as smoothly as possible. Even if this is not your first business venture, you should still get expert advice — someone to guide you through the process, making sure you don't miss any steps and that everything you do is legal. There are lawyers in Albuquerque who specialize in business startups. They can help you from when you first get the idea that you want to start a business, all the way to when you earn your first dollar. This is the type of attorney you want to contact.

This question is important. An attorney is a licensed professional who advises clients on legal matters. Other names by which people in this profession are known in the United States are "lawyer," "counsel," and "counselor."  In some countries, the term "notary public" describes someone who practices law. In the U.S., this is not the case. A lawyer in the U.S. might also be a notary, but a notary is not a lawyer. Be certain that the person you are considering hiring in Albuquerque has a license to practice law in New Mexico.

Lawyers specializing in startups help clients with the following:

• Formation of the business, including incorporation
• Business acquisition
• Business planning
• Partnership agreements
• Shareholder agreements
• Raising capital
• Real estate purchase
• Rental agreements
• Employment issues

A lawyer can help you decide whether your business should be a corporation, a limited liability company (LLC), a limited liability partnership (LLP), sole proprietorship, or something else. 

If you're thinking about starting a business in Albuquerque, don't forget to consider the current and future business environment. The best law firms have lawyers who have insight into, and specific knowledge of, the industries in which businesses are thriving. They should also be able to identify which industries are not experiencing growth. Some lawyers have been business owners outside the field of law.

Albuquerque, New Mexico's largest city largest and its primary economic center, accounts for about 50 percent of economic activity in the state. Its diverse economic base includes tourism, agriculture, manufacturing, and research and development. There are also government-funded operations. Entrepreneurs wanting to start a business in the city should look for attorneys with knowledge of these industries.

How to Find the Best Startup Attorney in Albuquerque

If someone you know has started a business in Albuquerque, ask which startup lawyer they used. If you trust your associate's judgment, ask for a referral. Reviews on non-legal websites such as Yahoo or Yellow Pages are not helpful, but other sites are. UpCounsel lists the best startup attorneys in Albuquerque.

After getting the names of attorneys who might help you, take the steps listed below.

• What universities did the lawyer attend?
• What law school did the attorney attend?
• How long has the attorney been practicing law?
• How many clients has the attorney had who were starting their first business?
• What are the attorney's areas of expertise within business law?

When meeting with an attorney for the first time, consider the following:

• Where is the law firm's office located?
• What are the attorney's office hours?
• How easy is it to get an appointment?
• Is the office professional-looking?
• Does the attorney understand what help you need?
• Did the attorney pay attention to what you were saying?
• How much of what you need will the attorney ask a paralegal to do?
• How many attorneys work in the office?
• How much time does the attorney have for assisting you?

There are also steps to take and points to consider after the first meeting.

• Disciplinary Actions — Have any disciplinary actions been filed against the attorney or the law firm?

Every state monitors the disciplinary actions filed against attorneys. The New Mexico Supreme Court established the New Mexico Disciplinary Board to govern attorney conduct. The board is composed of 10 attorneys and two non-attorney members, one of whom is a physician. A Justice of the New Mexico Supreme Court serves as a liaison to the Court. The Office of Disciplinary Counsel conducts the board's investigations and daily operations. Contact the board to see if any allegations of attorney misconduct or other disciplinary actions have been filed against the attorneys you are considering.

• Comfort Level — Being comfortable discussing all aspects of your business with your startup attorney is important. You need to have no qualms about truthfully answering all questions the lawyer asks.

Questions for a Startup Attorney

• What services does your firm offer?
• Have you assisted clients in my industry?
• Have you helped clients planning a business undertaking like mine?
• Have you worked with companies in the early stages of planning their business venture?
• How can I protect my intellectual property?
• Do I need to trademark anything?
• What licenses do I need?
• What contracts do I need?
• Which attorney in your firm will be helping me?
• How much time will an attorney in your firm spend each week helping me?
• What is your firm's hourly rate?
• Does your rate vary according to the type of work performed?