Seeking counsel: what to expect when hiring an attorney for the first time.

• Author: Coon, John

Owning a small business requires much more than simply profiting from a good idea. Small business owners also need to do many things behind the scenes to keep their business running at full speed, and almost nothing matters more to keep operations running smoothly than sound legal representation.

Businesses need legal counsel for a variety of reasons. Small business owners must deal with employment issues, contract disputes, real estate transactions, copyright and intellectual property matters, and other issues that require legal expertise. Hiring a qualified and experienced attorney can help them navigate these legal issues smoothly.

Still, hiring an attorney can be a daunting task for a small business owner. There are more than 10,000 lawyers practicing in Utah alone. Selecting one can feel akin to searching for a miniature needle in a giant haystack.

How do you find the right attorney for your needs? How much will it cost? What will the attorney actually do for your business once he or she is hired? Here are a few guidelines small business owners can follow to make a more informed choice:

DO YOUR HOMEWORK

Hiring any attorney for the first time requires a bit of investigating. Small business owners need to do everything they can to get a feel for what an attorney can do for them and how they will be represented as a client before hiring one.

Networking with family, friends or business associates can make it easier to find a qualified attorney. They can recommend individual attorneys or law firms they have worked with in the past. Small business owners should avoid simply hiring the first lawyer that pops up in an ad or a search engine result. No two attorneys are created equal.

"Attorneys and lawyers come in all shapes and sizes," says Chad Waddoups, a partner at Salt Lake City-based Parr Brown Gee & Loveless. "If you were sick, you wouldn't go see a dermatologist if you had pains in your chest. You've got to make sure you go to an attorney that has the right kind of experience for the business you have."

Once small business owners have a recommendation for an attorney or lawyer, they should do their homework. Visit the lawyer's personal website or their firm's website. Examine their background. Find out where they went to law school. Examine how they litigated past cases. Finding out important information on a prospective attorney can give you a better idea of whether or not their experience is relevant to the legal needs of your...