Hiring a business law firm is critical for any successful business. But how do you know if your business lawyers are providing the best possible service for you? You may be less than pleased with the lawyers you currently use, but you wonder if maybe the service you are getting is just par for the course.
Chances are, it is not.
Not all attorneys show the same amount of care for their clients or take a proactive approach to serving them. If you are wondering whether it is time to look for a new business law firm, here are some things to look for:
- Availability: If your lawyers often wait days to return your calls – or don’t return them at all – you should expect more. A good lawyer should respond to you promptly, ideally on the same day, and be willing to set up calls that work around your schedule.
- Communication: Your lawyers should keep you in the loop with issues affecting your company. In addition, they should be able to speak to you in human terms about your company’s situation – rather than speaking over your head in legalese.
- Relevant experience: Your attorneys should have experience representing a company of your size. If your business attorneys represent mainly mom-and-pop stores and small startups, they may not be well versed in the particulars of larger scale transactions.
- Attention: Your lawyers should pay attention. If they forget the details of your situation from meeting to meeting, or ask you to provide documentation that you’ve already provided, this can be a sign that they are not as organized as they should be.
- Forward thinking: Your lawyers should follow the evolution of your business and stay apprised of any major transitions. They should anticipate your company’s future needs – from securing a loan to planning for succession.
- Understanding: If your business is in a niche market, your business lawyer should understand – or seek to educate themselves – in this area. Private offerings will require a different skill set than employee handbooks, for example.
Hiring a business lawyer is a major decision, but it does not have to be a permanent one. If your current business attorneys are not satisfying your needs, it may be worthwhile to explore other options.