Virginia Beach Startup Attorneys & Lawyers

Why Hire a Startup Attorney?

As an entrepreneur and creator of a new business, you'll have many issues to work through to get everything up and running. Some startup owners find themselves tempted to cut corners by handling their legal matters without an attorney initially. You should know that from beginning to end, a startup lawyer could help you make the best decisions for your company and save you both money and mistakes in the process.

Startups have a lot of issues to consider. A few that will be critical as your business grows and develops include the following:

Government rules and regulations – Do you understand every federal, state, county and municipal regulation pertaining to your business? Even if you do, the rules change so often that keeping up can be difficult. Your startup attorney will research changes to the law and advise you how your business should deal with those rules and regulations that impact you.

Incorporation or forming your business entity – A startup attorney will offer the best advice on the formation of your business. They are experts in incorporation or partnerships and can tell you the approach that you should take. A limited liability corporation (LLC) might make the most sense for your company, or they could recommend that you form as an S-corporation. Whatever they help you decide, the way you set up your business entity protects you personally from any liabilities that arise as a result of your startup.

Human resources issues – When you start staffing your company, your attorney will help you with such items as employee contracts, non-compete clauses, and employee handbooks. They can advise you on a code of conduct, including how your team will deal with personal social media. They'll also represent you in situations where an employee must be terminated, especially if that person seeks representation.

Intellectual property – You don't want competitors to get their hands on your hard work and take advantage of loopholes in laws that allow them to do so. Your attorney will work with you on new intellectual property, making sure that proper patent applications are filed on your behalf. They'll protect your interests and help you understand when you might be in violation of someone else's patent yourself.

What's the Best Way to Hire a Startup Lawyer in Virginia Beach, Virginia?

To find the best startup layer in Virginia Beach, Virginia, you should start by consulting with your business associates, especially those in your industry. They can refer you to an attorney who has extensive experience in your business. You should check to make sure that the attorneys you speak to have no record of complaints against them or their firm. Naturally, they should have a license to practice law in Virginia.

When you set up meetings with your potential new attorney, you'll want to see whether they have a compatible communication style with yours. When you contact them by email or text, do they return your message by calling you on the phone instead? Your new startup attorney should reach out to you via your preferred method, and if that means they're uncomfortable with texting, you should consider someone else. This business relationship will last for years, so you want to make sure that your attorney communicates on your level. 

As your interviews with potential startup attorneys begin, you should question them about their experience with businesses like yours. You don't want to hire someone who will be learning how to do the job on your dime. Instead, you need to find a lawyer who knows and understands the important details that your business deals with every day. 

You must also understand the fee structures of any lawyer or firm that you consider hiring. Some attorneys will sneak hidden fees into your contract. You might not even discover them until they have charged you the extra amount. Instead, look for an attorney who provides all their cost details up front. Since you work in Virginia Beach, an attorney here will not be as expensive as one who works in a more metropolitan area.

Finally, you should know how your attorney would react in a situation where conflict resolution becomes necessary. After all, you will rely on this person to help you when sticky situations come up. If the attorney under consideration recommends going to court at the drop of a hat, you should drop them from your list. You want someone who considers all options carefully, exploring all options before moving forward with a lawsuit.

What Questions Should I Ask a Startup Attorney?

• Have you passed the bar in the state of Virginia?
• Are you licensed to practice law in the state of Virginia?
• Are you working with any startups?
• How many of your lawyers will work with my company?
• Do you have any focus areas?
• How long have you been practicing this sort of law?
• Are you able to give references?
• How well do you understand my industry?
• Explain your fee structure to me.
• What type of experience do you have with technology?
• Has any client ever registered a complaint against your firm? 
• Have you ever handled a trademark or patent case?
• How heavy is your current case load?