Baltimore Startup Attorneys & Lawyers
How it Works
Bryan Reddix
Von Tourgee
M. James Faison
Mark Yost
Dana Bucy
Simon Cornberg
Craig Ready
Darnell Ingram
Emmanuel Azeez Shodeinde
Baltimore Startup Lawyers
Why Hire a Startup Lawyer?
When your business is just starting out, contacting a lawyer is a scary prospect. Lawyers have the reputation of being expensive and intimidating, but hiring a startup attorney in Baltimore, Maryland, doesn't have to break the bank or stress you out.
If you're like many budding entrepreneurs, you may have chosen to start your business without legal advice, but this can be a costly mistake. Before going forward with your business plans, consult a lawyer to review your startup's structure and other business elements.
The best startup attorneys can do the following:
- Navigate complicated business law. There is an array of legal documents you will need to submit when starting your business. Don't try to go it alone as omissions and mistakes can set you back financially and disrupt your startup's time frame. Trying to understand and fill out complicated legal forms takes you away from your business operations, which is a big reason why handing these tasks over to an attorney proves invaluable.
- Save you money. Not having a lawyer can cost you more money than hiring a qualified startup attorney. The right lawyer can also help you get the venture capital or seed money you need to move ahead with your business.
- Negotiate lease contracts. Finding the perfect office or retail space is crucial to your company's success. Unfortunately, these leases are designed to benefit the landlord rather than the tenant. When a startup attorney is involved in negotiating the lease contracts, you can be confident you're getting the best deal possible.
- Draft employment agreements. Employment agreements are contracts used to establish a legal relationship between you and an employee. Even if you plan on using contract workers instead of a full- or part-time staff, your lawyer will draw up the right employment agreements to lay down your expectations and protect your business from claims.
- Register for a patent or trademark. When you need to patent a product or service, or even just register your startup's name or logo, your lawyer will go over the required documents and submit them to the patent office correctly.
How to Find the Best Startup Lawyer in Baltimore
Top startup lawyers must be members of the Maryland State Bar Association and/or The Baltimore County Bar Association to practice in the area. Membership in the American Bar Association is also required. You can browse these association websites for lawyer recommendations or even pay a referral service to match you with the perfect attorney.
Alternatively, you can find affordable startup lawyers on UpCounsel. Get free attorney proposals, view biographies, and read reviews from former clients to narrow down your options.
Before choosing a lawyer, make sure to consider the following:
- Speak with multiple lawyers. Comparing the costs, qualifications, and experience of different attorneys helps ensure you find the one best suited to your legal needs.
- Decide whether you need a small firm, a big firm, or solo practitioner. Although large law firms have more overhead and are more expensive, they're more capable of handling every detail than small firms. In fact, few small firms are capable of negotiating your lease, filling out your documents, applying for trademarks, and attending your corporate meetings. For a solo practitioner, it's even more impossible. When interviewing potential lawyers, ask how involved he or she plans to be.
- Ask about billing options. Although you can negotiate your lawyer's fees, there are still limits, and some attorneys are more rigid than others when it comes to billing. Find out whether your attorney bills hourly or with a flat fee. Does he or she work on retainer? What other fees can you expect to accrue?
- Ask around for referrals. Sometimes, your trusted friends, family, and colleagues are the best sources for recommendations. It's a smart idea to find out if anyone you know has worked with a lawyer and - if so - if he or she has any experience in startup or small business law.
The best startup attorneys will understand the complicated details of your business and legal requirements, boosting your company's chances of success. Ultimately, go with your instincts and hire the lawyer who is easy to communicate with and seems devoted to your startup's legal needs.
Questions for a Startup Lawyer
- Which business structure should I choose? Your lawyer will help you decide whether a sole proprietorship, a limited liability company, a limited liability partnership, or a corporation is best.
- What should I know about choosing my business name? Startup lawyers are experienced in the legal issues surrounding business names. Consult your attorney before ordering business cards and signage.
- What should be in my startup's bylaws and operating agreements? Bylaws and operating agreements are essential for building your business's foundation. Your lawyer can assist you with preparing the necessary documents based on your business needs.
- How do I minimize my risks? Starting a business is risky, but your attorney can reduce your risks of fines, claims, and litigations.
Why use UpCounsel to hire a Baltimore Startup Attorney?
Average experience
You always get experienced professionals and high caliber work.
Faster
Your work gets done quickly because professionals are always available.
More cost effective
We use technology to cut traditional overhead and save you thousands.
UpCounsel has been talked about in:
Legal Services Offered by Our On-Demand Baltimore Startup Attorneys
On UpCounsel, you can find and connect with top-rated Baltimore startup attorneys & lawyers that provide a range of startup law services for startups and entrepreneurs that are starting a business. Any of the top-rated Baltimore startup lawyers you connect with will be available to help with a variety of your startup law related legal needs on-demand or on an ongoing basis in the city of Baltimore, MD.
From primarily dealing with things like business formation, contracts, leases, equity financing, securities, and intellectual property protection, the Baltimore startup lawyers on UpCounsel can help you with a variety of specialized and general startup law related legal matters. No matter what type of startup law needs you have, you can easily hire an experienced Baltimore startup lawyer on UpCounsel to help you today.
Improve Your Legal ROI with Affordable Startup Attorneys that service Baltimore, MD.
What Our Customers Have to Say
"UpCounsel gives me access to big-firm lawyers minus the big-firm price tag. I work with several attorneys on the platform and there are never surprises...I always receive quality legal work at competitive rates that larger firms simply cannot match."
"Every startup needs to know about UpCounsel. We found great attorneys at great prices and were able to focus our resources on improving our business instead of paying legal bills."
"Before UpCounsel it was hard for us to find the right lawyer with the right expertise for our business. UpCounsel solves those problems by being more affordable and helping us find the right lawyer in no time."
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