Denver Startup Attorneys & Lawyers

Why Hire a Startup Lawyer?

When you start a new business in Denver, Colorado, you have a number of tasks looming ahead. If you have any intellectual property to protect, you'll need to start by filing for patents, trademarks, and/or copyrights, ensuring that no one else can legally steal your ideas. But even filing for patent protection is complex and can take months or years to complete. If you fill out the wrong form, file for the wrong patent type, or fail to include the proper documentation for your invention or design, you could face delays or a rejection of the application.

Beyond intellectual property protection, startup business owners have to worry about tax regulations on investments, complex hiring laws in Colorado as well as on a federal level, and incorporation options to protect all owners involved with the company. These tasks are not easy, and handling them incorrectly could put your company at risk for legal action or fines and penalties.

While there are some resources available online to startup business owners, you can never know for sure if the person presenting the information understands the laws. You could also read something that pertains to business owners in California or another state, and the requirements are slightly different in Colorado. Relying on these types of resources isn't a good option for startup owners.

Hiring a startup lawyer who can help address concerns and make sure that all legal requirements are handled properly is the best option for new business owners. Starting a company is complicated, but startup attorneys understand the unique needs and can provide answers to confusing questions.

Your startup lawyer should also be able to help your business file for an employer identification number (EIN) with the IRS, which is a necessary step before hiring employees. Before filing for a patent or trademark, an attorney can conduct an extensive search to make sure that your ideas don't infringe on protected items. No matter what legal concerns you face in operating your startup, an attorney can provide support while solving these problems.

How to Find the Best Startup Lawyer

Finding the best startup lawyer for your company will require some research and questioning. Some of the top startup lawyers in Denver may have excellent track records when it comes to supporting new companies, but that doesn't mean that they will be the best fit for your company. If you operate in the technology industry, focus on lawyers with experience working with startups in the same industry. Even the best startup attorneys may not provide the answers and support you need if they don't understand your industry.

Don't be afraid to ask questions and ask for detailed information about the potential lawyer's experience working with startups. It's important that the lawyer you choose fits well with your company culture and vision for the future. If you're hesitant to take legal action right away, you probably won't want to choose a litigious lawyer who files a lot of suits. Your startup attorney should be a partner to your company's owners, willing to listen and support your decisions while helping you understand any legal consequences or risks.

One of the biggest hurdles for startups is the cost of hiring an attorney. But some lawyers offer reduced pricing or flat-rate fees to new business owners to help them get started with the complex tasks of first starting out in the industry. These might include incorporating as a sole proprietorship, limited liability company (LLC), or corporation, bringing on employees, and registering as a business entity with the state of Colorado.

Talk to people that you know have worked with business lawyers in the area, since they can provide personal feedback about their experiences with specific attorneys. When you find a few startup lawyers in the Denver area, you can start setting up consultations to ask questions, get a feel for their personalities, and determine how they would fit with your company.

Questions for a Startup Lawyer

• How many other startup companies have you represented?
• What is the focus of your legal practice?
• Do you have enough time to take on a new startup client?
• How well do you understand the business laws in Colorado?
• How well do you understand the industry in which my business operates?
• Will you be the attorney assigned to our business, or will we work with another attorney in the practice?
• What is your preferred communication method? Email, phone, other?
• What is your billing structure for startup clients?
• Have you ever worked with investors on behalf of your business clients for funding?
• Do you know any investors that might be interested in partnering with my startup?

When you have a legal partner to solve complicated problems, you can focus on the business tasks to help your startup grow and succeed.