Salt Lake City Startup Attorneys & Lawyers

Why Hire a Startup Lawyer?

Startup companies deal with many complex legal and business issues. When your startup investment and your company's potential are on the line, you need experienced legal advice.

Many startup companies run on limited budgets, but you shouldn't try to save in the legal department. Most startup companies take a fresh approach to existing technology or methods of operation. When you're testing the boundaries, you need to know how to conduct business, make products, or sell services legally.

Startups that don't hire a lawyer from the beginning run the risk of not having a clear path forward. They often have to handle legal problems on an as-needed basis instead of taking a smart and cost-effective approach to risk management.

As an entrepreneur, you have a vision and strong business skills. Hiring a top Salt Lake City startup attorney frees up your time to focus on what you do best. Let your lawyer take care of the legal issues, and put your time and resources into getting your business started.

Some startup lawyers serve as general counsel, while others specialize in key areas. The top startup attorneys handle the following tasks:

• Business Type and Incorporation: Many startups choose to incorporate, but others opt to form limited liability companies (LLCs) or other business types. The best startup attorneys can advise as to the business type that offers the best legal protection and profit potential for your company. If you form a C corporation, an attorney can help with filing paperwork and creating a corporate structure.

• Raising Capital: Securing funding is important for almost all startups. From seed money to Series A funding and beyond, a knowledgeable startup attorney can walk you through the process and help with letters of intent and other contracts.

• Trademarks: If your business name or your signature product is important to your startup's success, you may need a trademark. A startup attorney can help you decide if this is necessary and help you create a strong trademark. A top attorney can also file your trademark application and help you protect your intellectual property.

How to Find the Best Startup Attorney in Salt Lake City

Before you consider a startup attorney in Salt Lake City, make sure your candidate is licensed to practice in Utah. In general, Salt Lake City lawyers must have a J.D. from an American Bar Association-accredited law school. They also have to pass the Utah Bar Exam and complete a character and fitness assessment. After meeting these requirements, they become members of the Utah Bar.

Make sure any lawyer you're considering is still in good standing with the Utah Bar. Check with the Utah State Bar Office of Professional Conduct to find out if your lawyer has any ethical violations or grievances on file.

New Utah lawyers also have to complete the New Lawyer Training Program. This is a sort of mentorship and professional development program that pairs new lawyers with experienced firms. Look for a lawyer who has trained with a firm that specializes in startup or business law. If you're looking for a younger, more energetic lawyer in Salt Lake City, this type of experience can give you greater assurance of his or her ability in the startup arena.

A lawyer becomes part of your team. Make sure that he or she is the right fit your company by checking the following:

• Confirm Specialization: If you're hiring a lawyer to help with a specific issue, make sure he or she has the necessary expertise. If you need legal advice on a variety of issues, find out if other members of the firm can help.

• Conduct Interviews: Reading a lawyer's online biography can tell you a lot about his or her prior experience. But this won't tell you if your personalities mesh. Interview potential candidates over the phone or by email to find out if they're a good fit for your startup.

• Clarify Communication Preferences: If you expect frequent updates from your lawyer, make sure this matches with his or her communication style. Convey your company's needs clearly before hiring an attorney to avoid frustration later.

Questions for Startup Lawyers

• Have you worked with companies that have needs comparable to mine?

• What kinds of results have you generated for other startup clients?

• How familiar are you with my company's industry? Have you worked with other startups in my industry?

• What other legal experts are on your team? Can you refer us to intellectual property experts or other specialists if necessary?

• How do you typically bill startups? Can you estimate what we will owe in an average month or on an annual basis?

No matter which industry you're in, you need to make sure your startup is in good hands. Know when your company needs a lawyer, and find the best startup attorney in Salt Lake City.