Business lawyer: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What business lawyer is

A business lawyer provides information on forming and running a company and may help with entity choice, contracts, compliance and disputes. Owners look for one when starting a company, taking on partners, signing major agreements or facing a dispute. General information only, no outcome promised.

Signs you need it

  • You are starting a company and unsure which structure to choose
  • You are bringing in a partner or investor and need written terms
  • A customer, vendor or former employee is disputing an agreement
  • You are buying or selling a business
  • You need contracts, terms of service or employee documents reviewed
  • You have received a demand letter or a lawsuit connected to the business

What the pro does

  • Learn your business, owners, goals and risks
  • Explain the general differences among business structures and how they relate to liability and management
  • Prepare or review formation documents, operating or partnership agreements and ownership records
  • Draft or review contracts and policies for your business
  • Advise on the paperwork and filings the business must keep current
  • Represent you in negotiation or a dispute when needed

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • The type of work: formation, contracts, a sale or a dispute
  • The number of owners and how complex the ownership terms are
  • How many documents must be drafted or reviewed
  • Whether the business operates in more than one state
  • Whether a regulated activity is involved
  • Whether a dispute is heading to court
  • How quickly the work is needed

What a written quote should spell out

  • The tasks included, such as formation, agreement drafting or review
  • Whether billing is hourly, flat fee or monthly retainer
  • Filing and state fees billed separately
  • Number of revisions included
  • Who will do the work and how you will communicate

Questions to ask before you hire

  • What businesses of my size and type do you usually work with?
  • Do you recommend a specific structure, and what are the trade offs you can explain?
  • Can you help with ongoing questions through a retainer?
  • Which documents do I need to keep current each year?
  • Will you coordinate with my accountant on tax questions?
  • How do you handle a dispute, and when do you suggest mediation?

Red flags

  • A lawyer who gives the same structure to every client without asking about your goals
  • No written fee agreement
  • A lawyer who promises you will win a dispute
  • Advice that suggests ignoring a legal notice or deadline

What you can do yourself

You can write down your business goals, owners' roles, planned revenue sources and contracts you use, and you can read your state's business filing guidance. Hire a licensed attorney for ownership agreements, major contracts, a sale of the business or any legal notice you receive. Tax questions belong with a CPA or enrolled agent.

Licenses and permits

Business lawyers must be licensed attorneys in good standing. Check the license with the state bar. Some business filings also require registration with a state office.

Business lawyer questions

Can a lawyer tell me which structure is best?

A lawyer can explain general differences and how they relate to your goals, and your accountant can speak to tax questions. No outcome is promised.

Do I need a lawyer to start a business?

Not always, but a lawyer can help when there are multiple owners, contracts or regulated activities.

Can a lawyer review contracts I have already signed?

Yes, they can explain what a signed agreement says and what your options might be.

Pro reviewers

Pros who offer business lawyer remotely can improve this guide, like Wikipedia. We check every edit before it goes live. Every approved edit is credited in the edit history and on the pro's profile.

Edit history

How guide reviews work

How it works

  1. 1. Describe the job

    Pick the service, add your ZIP and a sentence about what is going on.

  2. 2. Pick the pros you want

    See pros who serve your ZIP and choose who you want to hear from.

  3. 3. They reach out

    They contact you the way you chose: phone, email or in-app messages.

More legal guides

Find a pro near you

Find a pro

About this guide

Request business lawyer