Omaha Startup Attorneys & Lawyers

Why Hire a Startup Lawyer

Most companies will need to rely on the services of an experienced business lawyer at some point. But when you're just starting out in your industry, it's important to have an attorney by your side whom you can trust. Handling legal concerns and issues on your own can lead to more serious problems, especially if you miss a step when starting a new business. Here in Omaha, Nebraska, there are different laws around creating a startup so working with a lawyer that understands those requirements will make the process a lot easier.

The first step when starting a new business in Omaha is registering the company name with the state of Nebraska. You might have to register with the Nebraska Department of Revenue if you plan to hire employees, rent or lease equipment, sell items in retail, or collect sales tax on any items your company sells. Many of the forms are available online but filling them out can become very complicated. A startup lawyer will have experience with filling out registration forms and can walk you through the process.

One of the toughest legal problems that startup owners face is the decision to incorporate. It's not necessary to incorporate your business, although doing so can help protect you from personal liability and protect the interests of the owners equally. A top startup attorney will discuss options with you and help determine the best option when it comes to incorporating your business.

If you think that you can't fit the legal services of a lawyer into your startup's budget, you should rethink your position. Without legal counsel, you could end up spending a lot more to protect yourself and your company if someone takes legal action against you or you make a mistake when starting out in the industry.

Even something that doesn't seem too complex, like hiring new employees, can quickly become a challenge for a startup owner. You'll have to follow all state and federal laws, including filing for an employer identification number with the IRS as well as making sure that every new hire is legally authorized to work in the U.S. If your startup has confidential information or proprietary ideas, you may want to draft non-compete and confidentiality agreements for your new employees to sign before they start.

Relying on a startup lawyer can ease the stress you feel when starting your company and handling the necessary tasks.

How to Find the Best Startup Lawyer

Before you decide on which lawyer will be the best fit for your startup in Omaha, you should take some time to perform research. You can start by talking to other startup or small business owners in the area to find out who they use for legal support. If you don't know of any other startup owners, you can search for lawyers that specialize in business law online. Some sites include reviews that offer more information about the attorney's interactions with his or her clients.

It's also important to make sure that the lawyer you choose understands the unique needs of a startup. Even experienced business lawyers may not realize what goes into starting a business so finding a lawyer who has worked with other startups will probably be a better fit.

A top startup lawyer should focus his or her practice on corporations and securities laws, employment laws, tax laws, and intellectual property. If your startup will be selling or licensing a new product that you or someone in your company has invented, you'll want to ensure that your lawyer has experience with filing for patent protection. Other intellectual property includes slogans, phrases, words, designs, and even the name of your business if these items are unique enough to qualify for trademark protection.

Make sure to meet with the lawyer in person or by phone before hiring him or her, since this will help you get familiar with the personality traits and how easily you can talk about concerns and issues. Once you feel confident, you can discuss the billing structure that the lawyer uses for his or her legal services and start planning those services into your startup budget.

Questions for a Startup Lawyer

• How many other startup companies have you represented?
• Do you have enough time to take on a new startup client?
• How well do you understand my startup's industry?
• How do you bill for your services? Do you offer any discounts to new companies?
• In what stages have the companies you've worked with been?
• Will I work with you or someone else in your firm?
• How long have you been practicing law in Nebraska?
• Do you have any connections to investors who might be interested in working with my startup?

As you start your new business in Omaha, make sure to plan for a startup lawyer to help tackle the legal problems that will come up.