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15 May, 2019 by Lindsay
Shaun agreed to meet with me last minute in an emergency situation involving a multi- jurisdictional move-away case. He represented me in obtaining a restraining order against my estranged husband protecting me and my 3 children. This was an extremely difficult time for me & Shaun kept reassuring me that everything would be okay. He confidently took on my case knowing that it was a complicated situation and worked tirelessly knowing that time was not on our side. Shaun left no stone unturned when handling my case. He is professional, passionate and detailed. Most importantly Shaun believed in me. I can’t thank him enough & will be forever grateful for him.
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08 May, 2019 by Melanie
Shaun represented me in my divorce. He was extremely precise, polite, knowledgeable and understanding during this difficult time of my life. Shaun was dedicated to providing me with the most options in my case. Shaun was also passionate and hard working - which resulted in a positive settlement for me. I could not have asked for a better person and attorney to fight for me and guide my case. I am so grateful I had Shaun as my attorney!
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25 May, 2018 by Anonymous
During the last five years, I have been in a custody battle with my ex-husband. My ex was pretty much an absentee father for the first seven years of our child's life, and only came back into her life when she got Leukemia. During this time, my ex decided to get re-married to someone he met after returning to Sacramento. My child was mentally, emotionally, and physically abused by my ex and his new wife. My ex-husband left the military (approximately two years after re-entering our daughter’s life), and decided to take me to court to get his child support lowered and attempt to obtain custody of our daughter. During this time, he lied and attempted to hide the fact he had a severance pay equal to his yearly salary, and was receiving unemployment at the same time. My ex spent the money on home improvements and furniture for him, his wife, and stepchild, instead of saving the money to pay his monthly child support. Because my ex-husband was in the military, and had never been in trouble with the law, owned a home, and had a new spouse at home, he looked like a great guy on paper. Meanwhile, I am a single mother who was living in an apartment at the time, working full time, and earning my degree, so my ex thought he would look like a better caregiver for our daughter. My ex hired an attorney with over 35 years of Family court experience, with a specialty in fighting for a father’s parental rights, and I was Mr. Culbreath’s first Family Law case. Thanks to Mr. Culbreath's legal ingenuity, my ex was not able to hide his income and assets, and was ordered to pay a higher amount of child support than he did before he left the military. Mr. Culbreath was by my side through every attempt my ex-husband tried to get out of his finanacial and parental obligations to my daughter. Mr. Culbreath also obtained an order banning the stepmother from interfering with my daughter’s medical, educational, and religious needs, effectively making my ex take more responsibility for our daughter. Shaun also obtained a stipulation stating my-ex and his wife are not allowed to physically, mentally, or emotionally, degrade or abuse my daughter any longer. To make an already long story, short; my ex-husband went through two more experienced Family Law Attorneys’, and Mr. Culbreath chewed them up and spit them out (figuratively), in court. Mr. Culbreath could combat every argument the opposition threw at him. Mr. Culbreath uses common sense, empathy, legal expertise, and digs into the details of a case before appearing in front of the Judge. Mr. Culbreath always informed the likely hood of success of any argument I wanted to make, and took the time to educate me on the nuances of the law. There was nothing my ex-husband could bring up that Shaun hadn’t already thought of a legal argument for. Mr. Culbreath is a Legal Assassin, and because of his ability to argue the detrimental flaws of my ex’s parenting, I now have 100% physical custody of my daughter. I also hired Mr. Culbreath to handle my Grandmothers estate after her passing, and he made this a painless process as well. Mr. Culbreath is a great attorney whether he is presenting in court, or handling in-office cases. Shaun Culbreath is the only Attorney I trust to handle my legal needs, and recommend him to anyone who has a need of Legal help.
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22 Mar, 2011 by Fred
I have used the services of Jay Hislop for issues involving employees, business development, transition and sale, disability law and commercial building lease contracts. In all cases he has brought a "big picture" perspective to the situations which resulted in all parties being satisfied while still looking out for his client. His even handed approach and thoughtful way tend to diffuse potentially confrontational attitudes and help in developing equitable results.
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09 Mar, 2011 by Rick
Dr. Hislop has provided both practice management and legal document preparation for our dental practice. In practice management, his rolls have encompassed staff interaction, coaching, analysis, and specific detailed recommendations for improvement in all aspects of the practice. Legal document preparation has included partnership, associateship, buyout, and practice/real estate purchases. All have been meticulously detailed. Dr. Hislop, who was a clinically practicing dentist before his consulting and legal career, brings a rare combination of talents. He has had a highly successful dental practice, has over a decade of teaching experience at a world renowned dental institute, and with his law background provides insightful knowledge of legalities in dental/medical practice. My experience was that he listened carefully to my goals and gave observational analysis after careful assessment of the business systems and personnel. He provided additional viewpoints for me to consider before we collaborated in shaping the specifics for successful results. His versatility has allowed for significantly different courses of action dependent on the circumstances. My dental practice top priority was for staff cohesiveness and a strong relationship based partnership. Jay provided personal interaction with staff and my eventual business partner to enhance the opportunity to achieve these results. He is a significant factor in the result that my 4 key staff members are still intact 10 years after we initiated working with Dr. Hislop. (The one additional staff member moved across the country). Similarly, I have now enjoyed a 7 year dental partnership without one single conflict. (I know that is hard to believe, but it is absolutely true.) Dr. Hislop's consulting time and win-win contract arrangement are cornerstones of this success. Conversely, the separate purchase of real estate and remnants of a declining dental practice presented a different set of challenges for Dr. Hislop. The acquisition required negotiating with a contentious seller. A completely different set of skills was demonstrated by Dr. Hislop in procuring a very favorable result for us. I give my highest recommendation to Dr. Hislop. RKJ
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08 Mar, 2011 by Zach
Dr. Hislop has played an integral role in two transitions in my professional life. Dr. Hislop first arranged for me to become an associate when I graduated dental school which led me to becoming a partner in the practice. All documents were clear and concise. In addition, it was clear that Dr. Hislop strongly desired a win-win situation for all parties involved. Recently my partner and I acquired another practice as well as a building and decided to hire an associate. Dr. Hislop helped guide us through this very confusing process and helped us negotiate a great price on our new building and the practice that we acquired. In addition, Dr. Hislop made arrangements with our new associate and again insured that we had a win-win situation. Dr. Hislop has also interacted with our staff on several occasions. His insight helped draw our team together and made the many transitions that we have been through go as smoothly as possible. I would highly recommend Dr. Hislop.
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21 Feb, 2019 by Mike
I am a former Reclamation District Trustee. I always found Alan to be well organized and knowledgeable of Reclamation District matters. The Reclamation District meetings were always conducted very professionally. Alan always stayed current with new legislation and water code topics. Alan always challenged the State if he did not agree with their accounting methods. I would accredit the financial soundness of the Reclamation District to Alan's firm control and logical spending practices. Multimillion dollar construction projects were successfully administered and managed by Alan. Securing State funding and managing that money was Alan's responsibility and he always provided sound guidance to the Trustees. Without hesitation I would recommend Alan.
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19 Feb, 2019 by John
As the reclamation district manager, I work closely with Alan Coon, our reclamation district lawyer. He is highly knowledgeable about a wide range of issues. He has been an enormous asset to our work for many years. We recently undertook a large and complex levee project. His hard work, knowledge of the issues, perseverance, and professional expertise were essential to its completion. Over the years, I have also consulted with him on personal issues, and found him to be knowledgeable, resourceful, and effective. He is an asset to our district and his profession.
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18 Feb, 2019 by Skip
Alan represents a Reclamation dist which i am a board member of. He does an excellent job> i also have retained him for a few personnel matters and he has been very responsive and professional.
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15 Jul, 2015 by Anonymous
I have been a paralegal my entire life and embarrassed to say that I found myself in a horrible civil litigation matter. I purchased a home in December 2012 only to find leaks, mold, and dry rot the day I moved in. Even though I hired a home inspector and obtained pest and roof inspections, they all failed me and the seller lied and didn't disclose the massive mold and dry rot issues and standing water under the home. It was a nightmare and I had to move out of 1/3 of my home and seal it off due to hazardous contamination. The seller later filed bankruptcy. I first hired a Lodi attorney who essentially did nothing but bill us $10,000 in a 6 month period. I then went to Art Small in Stockton, who took my case on contingency. If it weren't for him trusting in me and our case, I would have been screwed and lost everything. The case was complicated because of the bankruptcy, but Art fought on my behalf in both BK and civil court and ultimately I received far more than I ever would have expected. I won't be rich but can now finally make all repairs and then some. Art went above and beyond and put up with my constant questioning. I now consider him a personal friend. He is hard working, honest, and fair...something hard to find these days especially in an attorney. I've worked with many, but Art is as good as they come. He really knows his stuff, especially in debt collection and litigation, and how to play the game. The Lodi attorney basically told me I had no case but took my money anyway. Art worked diligently for 2.5 years because he believed I was wronged and that meant everything. Fortunately, it finally paid off for both of us. I highly, highly recommend him!!
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28 Feb, 2013 by Anonymous
Mr. Small successfully defended me in a land use lawsuit. His professionalism and attention to detail created a positive environment to conduct business. I was promptly informed about each step in the case and Mr. Small excelled at clearing communicating the steps he would use to defend the case. A legal win is always sweeter when handled with the ease demonstrated by an attorney such as Mr. Small.
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16 Jul, 2009 by Anonymous
Mr. Small assisted me in a elgal matter involving a building contractor. Due to his professionalism and knowledge of the law, the case was resolved in my favor expeditiously and professionally.
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13 Aug, 2013 by James
IT'S NOT NECESSARY TO ELABORATE ON THE CHART ABOVE,IT TELLS THE WHOLE STORY OF OUR BRIEF RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM AND HIS CAPABLE STAFF...WE SINCERELY MEAN THE EXCELLENT MARKS WE PUT NEXT TO ALL THE CATAGORIES,HE EARNED THEM,EVERY ONE.WE WOULD BE PLEASED TO REFER HIM TO ANYONE WE KNOW..
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06 May, 2013 by Anonymous
Mike was very nice to work with and did a great job for us. After 28 years of working for one company, my wife faced a layoff and was unable to find full-time employment. After depleting our savings and much of our retirement plans, we chose to file bankruptcy. Mike was very pleasant, non-judgemental, and made the process as easy as possible. He represented us in a very professional way and the Trusteee ruled in our favor.
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02 Jan, 2013 by Marty
Scott has taken my company through several difficult cases, including a nightmarish environmental litigation. His instincts proved absolutely correct and his patient defense inspired confidence in me and my team. He is also very knowledgeable in employment law. He was self-aware enough to decline my offer to use him for estate planning and advised hiring a more specialized lawyer to help with a pension liability; he knows his limits. I recommend him very highly.
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19 Jan, 2015 by Joanie
After much research we found a well established firm with a team of expert attorney pool in which we could have all legal issues addressed. When we found Karen, We knew we were in professional and knowledgeable hands. We had a few complex issues that Karen had the answers for. We were treated with non judgement, respect and 100% confidence in addressing delicate matters. Karen walked us through it all, and we now have the peace of mind in knowing we are secure in our decisions. "Karen is The A Team." And we highly recommend her.
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07 Oct, 2024 by Rosalba albarran
Muy buen cervicio depues de un año con hotro abogados La liga defensora pésimo cervicio toda vía no an revisado mi paquete y con esta abogada medio la sita un día antes y septiembre 11 ,2024 mando mi paquete y oy octubre 4 Imigracion me mandó una carta que ya recibieron mi paquete 🥹
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02 Oct, 2024 by Lupita valencia
Estoy feliz. Gracias por su ayuda. La mejor abogada.
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02 Oct, 2024 by Nadia carolina díaz guido
Estoy muy agradecida con la eficiencia y calidad humana con la oficina The Law Janell Freeman . Todo salió a la perfección y en 3 meses resolvieron mi caso . Muchas gracias.
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02 Oct, 2024 by Andrea santo
Peter is a highly skilled lawyer who is a pleasure to work with. He’s professional, kind, and very knowledgeable. Hiring him was a great choice, and I would definitely recommend his services to others.
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16 Aug, 2024 by Albert alcaraz
Peter is a blessing to those in need he truly goes out of his way to help others. He is extremely professional and honest. He is worth the cost. One in a million God bless him.
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14 Aug, 2024 by Erick smith
Peter is amazing and got better results than I even asked for. I highly recommend to anyone in need of an attorney! He’s easy to talk to and work with.
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07 May, 2024 by George h
Would not recommend
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28 Nov, 2023 by Lisa demaderios
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09 Nov, 2023 by Wendi sherman
Have met with him twice. I like being kept in the loop.
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18 Jan, 2024 by Nancy saenz
I wanted to bring to your attention a concern regarding the service at your office, specifically regarding the secretary, Maritsa. The level of service provided by her is below satisfactory. It is challenging to reach someone in the office, and when phone calls are finally answered, there is often a noticeable negative attitude. I believe that Maritsa's behavior and attitude may deter potential clients who were considering hiring Mark Thiel and his law office. It is important to address this matter promptly to avoid losing potential new clients.
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04 Jan, 2024 by Chace summey
This guy has issues and is not an honest character he supports fraudsters and backs them by making false claims and has been involved with bad p÷ople
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13 May, 2022 by A.couch like sofa
The Law Offices of Mark Thiel worked quickly to get my case dismissed. Very professional. Always kept me in the loop. * HIGHLY RECOMMENDED *
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26 Sep, 2024 by Maria palazzolo
We arrived in California after the sudden death of my brother and had no idea where to turn. The Law Offices of Corren & Corren took us on immediately and with great compassion. Our case, which had to be conducted from the west coast to the east coast, was handled in the most professional, efficient and considerate manner and the representation we received exceeded all of our expectations. We can't thank Spencer Sinclair, Esq. enough for all that he has done for us.
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28 Jun, 2024 by Psalms karnes
This is the best law firm in California!!! Spencer handled my case amazingly. He was up front and honest with everything. The communication was exemplary. If you need a lawyer, I would definitely contact him! I didn’t know much on how to proceed with a case but Spencer walked me through it. He answered all of my questions no matter how silly they were. I would definitely come back if I had another situation like my previous one! If I could get 10 stars I would !!!
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26 May, 2024 by Bigheaded entertainment
ADAM IS A AMAZING LAWYER, HE MADE ME FEEL COMFORTABLE THREW THE ENTIRE LEGAL PROCESS. HE ALSO GOT ME MORE MONEY THEN I EVER EXPECTED. I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND ADAM & SPENCER IF YOU HAVE ANY WORK RELATED LEGAL ISSUES
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03 Jul, 2024 by Levititan17
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26 Mar, 2022 by Tom o'neill
Anthony Despotes has helped me with a couple of different matters, and I've been very happy with the quality of the work.
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16 Dec, 2021 by Marissa guerra
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03 Jul, 2024 by Levititan17
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26 Mar, 2022 by Tom o'neill
Anthony Despotes has helped me with a couple of different matters, and I've been very happy with the quality of the work.
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16 Dec, 2021 by Marissa guerra
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02 Nov, 2022 by Anonymous
First of all, this entire practice has been useless. I have had the absolute worst customer service when it comes to phone calls, emails, and communication, in general. John first came across as knowledgeable, strong minded, and helpful. That was short lived. That persona ended as soon as I left the building after our first meeting. Once he had my retainer, his communication was lack luster and basically non existent. I asked countless times for explanations on just how this process actually worked, as it was my first time needing a lawyer at all. He never answered questions directly, and the couple times he finally returned an email, they were short, terse, and rude. Because of him and his late responses, my case took over a year, for a simple divorce. His email responses were over a month in between. He clearly just saw me as a nuisance and not worth his own time. My case wasn't going to render him much money, as it was a simple case to settle, so I gathered he dragged it out as much as possible to charge me as much money as he could. His "assistant" never returned emails or calls. John McKinley is exactly why people have a distrust of lawyers and a general dislike of them. He epitomizes the term lackluster. Do yourself a favor and use an entirely different practice.
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04 Aug, 2017 by Anonymous
I hired McKinley to do my divorce and custody battle in 2010. He comes across as confident, knowledgable, and aggressive, of which he is all three. However, as shortly after the case started, I found him to be abrupt, not forthcoming, and completely unhelpful when it came to strategy. He would gather facts, but would not advise me on how to come across, nor how the system worked. He would answer questions tersely, with the least amount of information possible, which would naturally lead to more questions from me. This information-hoarding created a cycle in which I would rack up billable hours unnecessarily. it also led to mistakes on his part which cost me thousands. At times he was flat-out rude, which i did not appreciate from a hired contractor at all. He was a poor listener, thinking he knew best in all circumstances what information was needed; however, his performance in court was hit-or-miss, as the only times I came out favorably was when the laws were clearly on my side. Otherwise, when it was up the the judge's discretion, I usually came out on the losing end, even when the other party had inferior lawyers. Thinking his familiarity with my situation might help, I re-hired him for child support. What a mistake. He was a no-star lawyer here, and was a complete waste of money. He divulged no information on how to present my situation to the court, and offered zero insight on how the amount was calculated. It was obvious he took the case just to bilk me of more money, as he put little effort into it, just showing up with nothing. I could have had no lawyer present and ended up the same, save the undeserved lawyer fees. This guy is the epitome of what gives lawyers the poor reputation they have, with high fees, no insight for the paying customer on how to come out the best way possible, and a good-old-boy attitude in court with no appreciation for the seriousness of the situation the the client.
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What a Business Lawyer Can Do for You

A business lawyer provides critical legal guidance and support to entrepreneurs, startups, and established businesses. Whether you are forming a new company, drafting contracts, or navigating complex regulations, a business attorney ensures you are legally protected and operating within the law. They can also help prevent legal disputes or represent you in negotiations, transactions, or lawsuits that arise during the course of business operations.

Business lawyers have expertise in areas such as business formation, contract law, intellectual property, employment law, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate governance. They ensure that your business is compliant with relevant laws and help mitigate risks that could threaten your company's success.

When Should I Hire a Business Lawyer?

Hiring a business lawyer is essential at various stages of business development, including:

  • Forming a business: When deciding on the best structure for your company (LLC, corporation, partnership, etc.), a lawyer can guide you through the registration and compliance process.
  • Drafting contracts: If you need contracts for employees, partners, suppliers, or clients, a lawyer ensures these documents are legally sound and in your best interest.
  • Mergers, acquisitions, or dissolutions: If you are buying, selling, or dissolving a company, legal counsel is critical to avoid costly mistakes.
  • Compliance and regulatory issues: A lawyer can help navigate complex regulations, particularly in industries like healthcare, finance, or tech.
  • Resolving disputes: Whether it's contract disagreements, intellectual property infringement, or employment issues, a business lawyer helps mediate, negotiate, or litigate on your behalf.

What Does a Business Lawyer Do?

Business lawyers provide a wide range of services that cater to different legal needs of a business. They can:

  • Help you choose the best legal structure for your business.
  • Draft, review, and negotiate contracts with employees, suppliers, customers, or business partners.
  • Ensure regulatory compliance with local, state, and federal laws.
  • Advise on tax strategies to minimize your business's tax burden.
  • Assist with intellectual property protection, such as trademarks, patents, and copyrights.
  • Handle mergers, acquisitions, and business sales, ensuring all legal paperwork is in order.
  • Resolve disputes through negotiation, arbitration, or litigation.

How Are Business Lawyers Paid?

Business lawyers typically charge either by the hour or on a flat-fee basis, depending on the complexity of the work. Common payment structures include:

  • Hourly rates: The lawyer charges based on the time spent working on your case. Rates vary depending on the lawyer's experience and location.
  • Flat fees: For certain tasks, such as incorporating a business or drafting a standard contract, a lawyer may offer a flat fee.
  • Retainer: Some businesses may hire a lawyer on retainer, paying a fixed amount each month to have ongoing access to legal services.

The payment structure is often discussed during an initial consultation so you can choose the one that best suits your business needs and budget.

How Much Does a Business Lawyer Cost?

The cost of hiring a business lawyer depends on factors such as:

  • The complexity of the legal issue: More complex matters, like mergers or intellectual property disputes, typically cost more than routine tasks like contract drafting.
  • The lawyer's experience and location: More experienced lawyers or those in larger cities often charge higher fees.
  • The nature of the billing arrangement: Hourly rates can range from $150 to $1,000 or more, depending on the lawyer's expertise. Flat fees are usually available for simpler matters like forming an LLC or drafting a standard contract.

It's essential to discuss fee structures upfront to avoid surprises.

Top Questions to Ask a Business Lawyer

Before hiring a business lawyer, ask the following questions during your consultation:

  1. What is your experience with businesses like mine?
    Find out if the lawyer has handled legal issues for companies in your industry.
  2. What services do you offer?
    Ensure the lawyer can meet all your business's legal needs, from contract drafting to dispute resolution.
  3. What are your fees, and how do you bill?
    Get clarity on how you'll be charged - whether by the hour, flat fee, or retainer.
  4. How do you handle conflicts of interest?
    Ask how the lawyer ensures there is no conflict in representing your business.
  5. Can you provide references from other business clients?
    Speaking with past clients will give you an idea of the lawyer's expertise and professionalism.
  6. Do you have experience in my specific industry?
    Industry-specific knowledge can be crucial, especially in highly regulated fields like healthcare or finance.

How to Check the Credibility of a Business Lawyer

To ensure you're hiring a reputable business lawyer:

  • Check state bar association records: Verify that the lawyer is in good standing and has no disciplinary actions against them.
  • Look for client reviews or testimonials: Online reviews, testimonials, or word of mouth from other business owners can provide insight into the lawyer's reliability and effectiveness.
  • Ask for references: A credible lawyer should have satisfied clients who can vouch for their services.
  • Check professional memberships: Membership in respected legal organizations (such as the American Bar Association or a local business lawyer association) can signal credibility.
  • Review their website and professional profile: A well-established lawyer typically has a professional website showcasing their areas of expertise, credentials, and case success.

What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?

To make the most out of your first consultation with a business lawyer, prepare the following:

  • A description of your business and its structure: This will help the lawyer understand your legal needs.
  • Any current contracts or agreements: If you're seeking contract advice, bring copies of existing contracts.
  • A list of legal issues or concerns: Be ready to discuss any potential legal challenges, such as regulatory compliance, disputes, or transactions.
  • Financial documents: If applicable, bring financial records related to the legal matter you're seeking help with.
  • Questions about fees and billing: Ensure you understand the lawyer’s payment structure and fees upfront.

By preparing these materials, you can ensure that your first meeting with a business lawyer is productive and informative.

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