Riverside Startup Attorneys & Lawyers

Why Hire a Startup Lawyer?

Hiring an attorney before you've even opened your doors may seem like an excessive and unnecessary expense, but it may make the difference between success and failure. After all, it's statistically proven that most startups fail. If you're serious about your business venture, find a startup lawyer before setting up shop.

For instance, even choosing what sort of business entity you should become requires legal know-how and experience. Should you be a corporation, a limited liability corporation, or a partnership? It all depends on what kind of business you're starting, how many people are involved, how you intend to raise capital, and how much liability your business may face.

Once you've selected a structure, you'll need to begin securing business licenses, patents, trademarks, permits, and the like to ensure your business does not face any penalties or fines. A local Riverside attorney will know exactly what's needed, from recording your business name to securing a Riverside business license.

If you're building or renovating a physical structure, you'll need to involve the Riverside Planning Division. What about environmental permits or industrial waste handling? Riverside requires a Transient Occupancy Tax if you're providing lodging. These kinds of details are best left in the hands of a competent local startup attorney.

If there are partners in your startup, an attorney is crucial so you can draw up agreements about the rights and responsibilities of each person. Even certain social media juggernauts have fallen victim to squabbling among founding members. Arguments and lawsuits are exactly the sort of thing that can destroy a fledgling business. Having contracts drawn up in advance can guarantee that every partner has fair treatment and can leave the venture peacefully if they so wish. A startup attorney is of great help when making these arrangements.

Additionally, raising capital from investors can be a tricky process. You don't want to undervalue your business when dealing with initial investors. Alternately, if you begin selling stock too late in the game, your business may have greatly gained in value and this will result in less gain from the stock sales. If you plan to offer stock options to new employees, you want to ensure that both sides get a fair shake. An experienced startup lawyer can help you make these choices.

How to Find the Best Startup Lawyer in Riverside

Hopefully, you've forged some industry connections in the Riverside area, since their referrals are a great start to finding the perfect attorney. These lawyers will likely have worked with similar ventures such as yours. After all, a startup attorney for a chiropractic office will have much different experience than one who works with new hotels. It's crucial that the lawyer you choose has experience with startups like yours.

Location is another factor to consider. An attorney based out of Riverside will be much more familiar with local licenses, zoning issues, and resources than someone who isn't a local. They can advise on where and when to set up a brick-and-mortar store, for example. Unlike attorneys outside the area, they also know that you can potentially get tax credits via the Governor's Economic Development Initiative.

When it comes time to hire employees, a lawyer who is a Riverside native will be familiar with what local workers expect. A good attorney, for instance, knows that many people opt to live in Riverside for its affordable housing and then endure a brutal commute to downtown Los Angeles for their job. This sort of knowledge can help entice potential workers to stay local, even if it means less pay and a riskier employment outlook.

Above all, your startup attorney should be enthusiastic about your venture and believe in your goals. If your business takes off, your lawyer will be there to help you expand and develop your commerce. This will hopefully result in a business relationship that spans years, even decades, so it's vital that your attorney has a vision of the future that's long-reaching and optimistic.

Once you've narrowed down your list, turn to the internet to pre-screen potential startup attorneys. Reviews are especially helpful, as they are quite detailed in exposing the strengths and weaknesses of the lawyers you have in mind. Don't hesitate to Google specific reviewers and reach out to them personally for more in-depth information about the lawyer they reviewed. Any reputable member of the business community will be glad to assist you since it will help build local commerce as a whole.

Questions to Ask a Potential Startup Lawyer

• Where did you get your law degree, and how many years ago?
• How long have you been working with businesses in my industry?
• What are some special considerations when starting a business like mine in Riverside?
• Do you live in Riverside? How long have you been practicing startup law here?
• What are your interests and hobbies? (Keep in mind that you're potentially going to work with this person for years to come).

Whether your new business is in the planning stage or further along, a Riverside startup lawyer can help you take care of the important details.