The True Cost of Legal Advice

People routinely enter into contracts without obtaining legal advice as to the significance of their terms, only to find out later just how expensive a mistake they’ve made. Small business owners are no exception. The most common explanation I hear is that they can’t negotiate the terms, so why incur the significant expense of an attorney? This assumption is almost universally false, as contract terms are routinely negotiated and amended. Even large multinational corporations using preprinted contracts frequently permit amendments as I’ve done numerous times on behalf of clients and my own firm. 

As for expense, I can review a contract, identify potential risks, and likely negotiate better terms for a small fraction of what it will cost to defend a lawsuit from unfavorable or unrealistic terms. For example, I once spoke with a small business owner that was locked into a five-year lease for his auto repair business, only to find out after the fact that he would not be able to obtain a permit to use the facility to paint vehicles despite the property having previously been used for that very purpose. The issue could have easily been avoided with language making the lease term contingent upon the property’s suitability for the intended use, including obtaining necessary permits. Instead, it was litigated at considerable expense. 

The same applies to guidance in business entity selection; corporate governance; and employment, construction, technology, and administrative law issues.

Highly successful business people know that the right business lawyer actually saves money! Please give me the opportunity to show how I can be one of the most valuable members of your team. 

After all, that is how BUSINESS gets done!