When individuals decide to launch a new company, they normally have a good idea and some cash to get started. Some people prefer to start a new entity on their own or with family members, while others opt for partnering with investors who don’t get associated with the daily affairs of the business.
Whichever way you prefer, the law will always apply when starting a company and may depend on some specifics of your situation. Every startup company should have an attorney, and a legal expert such as Christian Ellul can help you in different aspects of your company, including:
Table of Contents
Drafting of Contracts
Oftentimes business dealings, such as agreements and transactions, seem easy and straightforward to a layperson, but the fact is that these matters come with serious legal implications. Whether you intend to conduct a company with or without contracts, you will require a lawyer to notify you about some risks you may face.
A good attorney can alsohelp you identify poorly written contracts because some individuals may choose to use generic agreement documents they can find online. Such contracts are fraught with issues, and one of the common problems with poorly written contracts is that they have vague language. Contracts have to be written with a high level of specificity so that they can be enforceable.
Conducting the Registration Process
A good attorney can research the name you choose for your company to ensure another entrepreneur has not taken it. However, it will be necessary to have other alternatives in mind to make sure your company has a unique name, which is administratively and legally registered with the state of government.
The expert will always carry out other legal work on your behalf and assist you in navigating through the legal forms and documents you may need to fill up. Your attorney will also ensure that your company starts properly by dealing with aspects, such as:
- Arranging for materials and machinery
- Finding a business premise for your company
- Organizing funds with the help of an accountant
- Dealing with Trademarks and Copyrights
Intellectual assets are among the powerful resources which your company has. Such assets make you unique and separate your entity from other competitors – provided they are all protected. Copyrights and trademarks are methods of protecting your assets. Trademarks involve exclusive legal protections for sounds, colors, logos, and names. With that, other companies might not be able to use federally registered trademarks without your consent.
On the other hand, copyrights can cover your original work of authorship. Mostly, a copyright vest upon the creation of your work, but wrong protection might make you vulnerable to unnecessary rejections or loopholes from the US Patent and Trademark Office. Thus, whether you are seeking a copyright or trademark protection, you need to hire a business attorney to document the process properly.
Hiring Employees
If you’re employing workers, you need to know that there are strict legal issues, which are based on the federal equal employment opportunity laws. A good lawyer will offer you legal advice concerning discrimination and the difference between federal and state laws, which should be followed to the latter during the process of hiring workers.
However, if you already have workers, you may need to come up with workplace regulations and rules for them to adhere to and follow. An experienced business lawyer can effectively draft an employee handbook, which clearly outlines the policies, procedures, and expectations that everyone may understand.
The Bottom Line!
When establishing a company, you will come across a lot of excited and anxious emotions with the hope of operating your business successfully and smoothly. Unfortunately, uncertainties and issues will always arise, so you require an attorney to offer you protection against legal consequences and liability. Therefore, it’s best to hire a great business attorney who will give you value and peace of mind for your new company.