Business lawyers are as important to a business’s legal field as accountants are in matters of finances. Any business entity, no matter the size, requires legal services at one point or the other. There are many issues about the law that a corporation has to keep up with. It may seem like an expensive option at first, but later on, in the life of your firm, you will realize that hiring a legal support system was a long-term money-saving choice.
There are many reasons why a business lawyer should be considered a top priority in an entity. From offering legal advice, assistance, and legal consulting, there is a long list of things that they can be entrusted to.
You need to find a lawyer as early into your business life as possible. Some business owners don’t find the need to get one until a case against their business unit is already in court. In some instances, the said case could have been avoided in the first place if they had legal assistance from the word go!
Larger firm located in Niger, Senegal, Togo, Mali, and Cote d’Ivoire carry out many activities. They need a more and stronger legal support system than a smaller business, depending on the type of transactions carried out in each. If your mind as a business owner, manager, or shareholder in any corporation and you are asking yourself, "why a business lawyer?” Below are instances and reasons why you need to hire one or several business attorneys for your organization.
When Do You Need a Lawyer?
If you think that having legal representation from a business lawyer is a wastage of resources, then you need to rethink this thought. There are several pointers to show you why and when to step up and get your business the legal support it deserves.
For Business Contracts
Contracts are legal documents binding two parties into an agreement. Once a signature is put on them, whatever is written becomes applicable to them by law. Breaching the contract can result in heavy penalties. They can either be favourable to both parties or unfavourable to one of them. To avoid getting short-changed in business deals and agreements, find a lawyer to take you through the terms of that contract and give you legal advice before you commit.
A business lawyer, with your consent and approval, is capable of drafting a contract and presenting it to whoever you want to get into an agreement with, on the behalf of your business.
Copyrights, Patents, and Trademarks
These terms are the intangible representative of business-owned rights. They refer to original ideas and work that no one else has claimed, except the owners of the said trademarks, copyrights, and patents. A business lawyer in Senegal, Niger, Togo and other surrounding countries should be involved in their acquisition as well as their protection. In case of ownership wrangles, the lawyer has to defend the course.
Renting, Leasing and Buying Business Properties
A legal agreement is required when a business decides to get into any transactions involving properties and real estate. The presence of a business lawyer helps in preventing unnecessary legal issues or disagreements over the leasing, renting, or purchase contracts in the future. If they arise, the lawyer will be in a better position to handle them.
Licenses and Taxes
It may not seem like a necessity for smaller businesses, but a business lawyer may be required for obtaining licenses and filing returns to federal and states governments. If your business is overtaxed or you feel that it deserves some tax relief, a business lawyer is your best bet to table your grievances before a business court. On this, they can work hand in hand with the finance department or on their own.
Legal Support and Representation
At one point or the other, a business can be faced with legal cases that require the help of a lawyer to win them. Whether your company or firm is the defendant or complaint, it needs a lawyer to put arguments on why it deserves to get its way. If your business is the defendant, you need to find a business lawyer who is conversant with defending entities from the claims you have been sued over. Having a business lawyer all along from the beginning is important because most of these cases can be avoided if legal advice is offered in advance and followed.
Steps to Follow When Hiring a Business Lawyer
A large corporation Cote d’Ivoire or Burkina Faso, for example, might require an entire law firm to sign it as its legal representative. Law firms that are well developed and established are a bit high on the dollar but their esteemed client network can earn your business more than legal support, high-end business partners. Here is the procedure of choosing the most suitable business lawyer:
1. Determine why you need a business lawyer- This helps you to narrow down on the fields you want a business lawyer to represent you in. Some lawyers specialize in business properties, licenses, forming mergers, and closing business deals.
2. Do your research- You can find information about all this on the internet, ask other business owners for recommendations, get details from newspapers among other mediums.
3. Compare candidates- Through your research, you’ll come across candidates who fit the description of the type of legal support that you require for your business. Compare their strengths and weaknesses. Go through their work history and reviews before coming up with a list of potential candidates.
4. Interview and shortlist- After outlining the desirable qualities of corporate your chosen lawyers, reach out to them and engage them. You can invite them to your offices or visit them in their firm. Involving some stakeholders in these activities is important as they assist in making choices and unanimous decisions.
5. Legal fees- The cost of hiring a lawyer should be manageable for your business's financial abilities. You can get an affordable business lawyer who will represent your firm well. Extra amounts of money may be required if you decide to go for high-end law firms, but it pays in the long run.
6. Draft a contract- After interviewing the suitable candidates and settling for the one that meets your requirements, it’s now time to close the deal. Draft and sign a contract or an agreement to work, then start issuing orders or taking legal services for your business.
Conclusion
The importance of a business lawyer goes beyond legal representation in a court of law. There are many tasks that these lawyers can take part in to put the business on the map in a positive way. If you are thinking of hiring one, Contact us today. If your business is located in Benin, Togo, Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, or Niger, then go ahead and make this important decision!
