Ruby McKenzie
In order to minimise the impact of legal issues on your business’s success, choosing a good commercial solicitor is essential. These are lawyers who specifically handle the legal needs of businesses, which can include anything from writing contracts to protecting intellectual property.
As with any area of expertise, some solicitors are better than others. And, as always in business, mistakes can be costly. Below is a checklist that you can use to find the right solicitor for your business’s legal needs.
1. Industry experience
Different industries have different laws and regulations which apply specifically to them. For example, the legal issues faced by entertainment companies are likely to revolve around intellectual property, while a mining or construction operation may have to deal with personal injury issues much more often. That is why it is valuable to have a commercial solicitor with experience in your specific industry. They should know about and be prepared for the issues which are most likely to affect your business.
2. Accessibility and communication
Commercial disputes can have a big impact on your business and reputation, which can be scary. It is only natural that you will want to be kept up to date about all the developments and to be able to understand all the details about what is happening. That is why it is essential for the solicitor you choose to be responsive and to have the patience and skills to explain legal concepts when necessary. They should also update you regularly about your case’s progress, their expectations, and the risks you are facing.
3. Reputation
You should care about your solicitor’s reputation just as you should with anybody that you go into business with. You will obviously want to know if you can trust them to be reliable, competent, and professional, and the best way to find this out is to see what others who have worked with them think about them. This can mean seeking references and testimonials from their previous clients, or you could also check to see whether they belong to any prestigious professional organisations.
4. Their fees
A commercial solicitor is, after all, a business cost, so money has to be a consideration. However, this does not mean that you should choose the cheapest solicitor available. A better approach may be to set a budget and choose the solicitor within that who best satisfies the other criteria on this list. Also, the last thing you want from your commercial solicitor is to end up in another dispute with them, so make sure that you understand their fee structure and that they are transparent about their costs.
5. Problem-solving and strategic expertise
A good solicitor should be able to anticipate and avoid problems as well as quickly deal with any surprises that do occur. You also want them to be able to think strategically about how their solutions align with your business’s long-term goals.
Conclusion
While avoiding disputes will always be preferable, it is not always possible. That is why it is helpful for businesses to have a good commercial lawyer on hand. With the right solicitor, business owners can make sure that legal issues cause minimum disruption and harm to their company’s operations.
