What Can a Business Law Attorney Do for Your Small Business?
Many small business owners think that only big businesses need a business law attorney. Nothing could be further from the truth. Businesses of all shapes and sizes need a business law attorney who can help ensure regulatory compliance and advise them on legal matters.
An experienced attorney can help you navigate the ever-evolving legal landscape, provide you with legal advice, and prevent costly legal mistakes.
Here are some other things that a business attorney in Santa Rosa can help you with.
Drafting and Analyzing Legal Contracts
Contract language can be complex and confusing. Business contracts contain a wide variety of legal terminology and jargon. An experienced legal expert can decode this complex legal jargon, helping you understand the terms and conditions of a contract before you sign on the dotted line. In addition to helping you navigate contracts, your attorney can draft contracts on your behalf. Attorneys avoid ambiguity and make sure that contract terms and conditions are explained in clear language that leaves no room for confusion. A contract with unambiguous terms is legally enforceable.
Resolving Conflicts and Disputes With Different Parties
Litigation can be ineffective, expensive and time-consuming. An attorney who has their clients’ best interests at heart does their best to keep legal disputes out of court. Business law attorneys are skilled negotiators. If your business runs into a legal issue, your lawyer can get the parties involved in the dispute to the negotiation table. Your lawyers and legal experts representing other parties can work together to draft a dispute settlement agreement.
Protecting Intellectual Property
Intellectual property is an umbrella term for a set of intangible properties that are creations of the human intellect. Some common examples of intellectual property include unique literary and artistic works, inventions, designs, symbols, names, and images. Your attorney can help you determine the most effective way to protect your intellectual property.
When you apply for a patent, trademark, or copyright, your attorney will help you complete documentation and ensure that it is correct.
Drafting an Employee Handbook
Employment litigation is costly and can dent your reputation. A common cause of employee litigation is lack of clearly defined HR policies. Your attorney can help prevent employee litigation by drafting an effective employee handbook that discusses employee code of conduct, and your communications, employee benefits, compensation, nondiscrimination, hiring, and separation policies in detail.
Make sure all your employees understand these policies and sign a policy acknowledgement. Give every employee a copy of their handbook and keep another copy in their employment file. Your employee handbook can help prevent FLSA and discrimination violations so you do not land in a legal soup.
Johnston & Associates Law is a reputable legal firm serving Santa Rosa. Our attorneys have years of experience helping individuals and businesses navigate complex legal issues in a variety of matters. To learn more, call (707) 545-6542.