Tulsa Startup Attorneys & Lawyers

Why Hire a Startup Lawyer?

Starting a new company in Tulsa, Oklahoma, comes with a number of challenges, but the potential rewards make it a worthwhile pursuit. When you're getting your startup up and running, it's crucial to have the resources and support available to handle problems as they arise. In the business world, it's less of a question of whether you will have issues and concerns but more of when they will occur and how you will address them.

When you have the right team of professionals on your side, you can tackle any problem that comes up in regards to your startup. One important area in which you'll need an experienced partner is the legal side of business. Even something that seems as simple as hiring your first employee requires you to complete certain steps and file documentation with various governmental agencies.

Hiring a startup lawyer in Tulsa can alleviate a lot of the stress you're probably feeling as a new business owner. The right lawyer can clearly lay out the necessary steps in forming a business, incorporating in the right way, and protecting any intellectual property you might have. Registering your business in Oklahoma requires you to file documents with the state, as well as possibly with the county in which you operate.

Incorporating a startup requires some legal guidance because there are several ways in which you can do so. If you're the only owner, a sole proprietorship might be the best way to go. But when you're trying to prevent personal liability if anything goes wrong in the company, a limited liability corporation (LLC) can restrict the assets to those held by the business, not those held by you personally.

Another confusing task that overwhelms business owners is raising capital from investors. Certain tax laws apply to investments, and you must carefully follow these requirements to avoid penalties. A good startup lawyer will understand these important aspects of starting and running a successful business, so finding one in the area that you trust can help you avoid a lot of struggles.

How to Find the Best Startup Lawyer

Many of the lawyers practicing in Tulsa have experience and qualify as good lawyers. But not all of these lawyers have experience in the laws that will relate to your startup such as a strong understanding of business, employment, corporate, and tax laws, contract drafting, and protecting intellectual property. Instead of hiring the first lawyer that you find, take the time to meet with several individually to get a better feel for what they specialize in and how they could help your startup.

When forming a partnership with an attorney, it's very important that you feel comfortable with his or her expertise in your field or industry. If you're starting a software company, you may not want to choose a lawyer who only works with farming businesses. That attorney might be the best in his field when it comes to drafting contracts for farmers but probably won't have the same knowledge about handling protection for your software design or functionality.

The top startup lawyer for your business isn't necessarily the same lawyer that an established business owner would choose. Startup owners often encounter different questions and problems such as filing for an employer identification number with the IRS, a necessary step before you can hire a single employee. It's also important to choose a lawyer who is responsive and easy to reach.

As you research attorneys, look at online reviews and ratings to get a feel for how they with their clients. You should also check with the Oklahoma State Bar Association to make sure that any lawyer you're thinking about hiring is in good standing and doesn't have any disciplinary action being taken against him or her.

The next step in choosing the top lawyer is setting up consultations with those that are the most beneficial for your startup. Experienced lawyers tend to have a lot of contacts in various aspects of the business world so working with one can open doors for you to expand your company.

Questions for a Startup Lawyer

• Have you worked with startup companies before?
• Do you understand the industry in which my startup operates?
• How long have you been practicing law in Oklahoma?
• What do you consider to be your strongest abilities when representing clients?
• How do you bill for your services?
• If I choose you, will I work with you as my primary legal representative, or will my case be transferred to another attorney?
• What is the best way to reach you? How quickly do you respond to communication?

With the support of the right legal representative, you can spend your time focusing on the needs of your Tulsa-based startup and allow your lawyer to handle the complex legal tasks.