The Importance of Having a Business Lawyer in Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach is known for its magnificent coastline, a bustling tourist industry and a rich military history. What Virginia Beach isn’t known for is having business lawyers for every type of company looking to start, expand or consolidate. That’s why it’s crucial that you take the time to figure out what you need from a business lawyer before actually hiring one.
Starting a new business? You’ll definitely want to hire a business lawyer in Virginia Beach. After all, if you’ve spent your entire life in Virginia Beach, then you know better than anyone how lucrative the tourist industry is around here. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that you can get away on your own. If you’re starting a beach volleyball company, then there are certain intricacies, such as acquiring required permits and licenses. There may also be specific business structures or entities that you need to research beforehand to make sure you’re going to make money.
Just like starting a new business , making a deal with another company requires a certain amount of research, some of which may take months or even years to conclude. The process can get particularly challenging if that deal involves two companies merging. Since you’re skilled at business, you don’t need me telling you that merging two companies into a single entity requires passing a ton of legal information through a sieve.
Also, a business lawyer can help you get your businesses back on track if you get into a dispute with another company. For instance, if you find yourself at odds with a rival business over intellectual property (i.e. patents), then you’ll need a business lawyer in Virginia Beach who can use his or her existing knowledge of relevant local, state and federal laws to draft correspondence, represent you in contract negotiations and — if necessary — represent you in court.
Services Provided by Business Lawyers
One of the first steps an owner of a business needs to take is to hire a business lawyer to help with services such as business formation, drafting or reviewing contracts, and/or securing and protecting intellectual property. Here are just a few examples of the types of legal services that a Virginia Beach business lawyer can offer your small business:
Business Formation
A Virginia Beach business lawyer can help you find the best strategy for establishing your business and getting it off the ground. You’ll need to consider structure (LLC, sole proprietorship, corporation, etc.), financing, and liability protection for your personal assets among other things. Most importantly, you want a business lawyer that will look out for you and your business during the formation phase and beyond.
Contract Drafting
Contracts are among your business’ most important documents. Business law in Virginia Beach is not as strict as it can be in other states, which gives Virginia Beach businesses some leeway when it comes to drafting contracts. Entering into a contract with another party is a common way of doing business, from procuring a loan or line of credit to hiring new employees, outsourcing projects, purchasing a commercial lease, or buying inventory. Nothing solidifies a deal like a good business lawyer-drafted contract, which will give your business peace of mind. Not to mention a well-drafted contract can set the tone for future business relations between you and the other involved party.
Intellectual Property
Every business has some form of intellectual property— from inventions to logos. Intellectual property can include copyright laws, trademarks, patents, trade secrets, confidentiality/trade secret agreements, and much more. If you perform work that is protected by these laws, it is important that you have a business lawyer in Virginia Beach who is experienced in protecting IP assets.
Choosing the Ideal Business Lawyer
Finding the right business lawyer in Virginia Beach can be a daunting task, as there are many factors to consider when making your decision. One of the first things to consider is the lawyer’s experience in the field. A lawyer who has handled similar cases before will likely be able to provide you with a better understanding of your legal options and the potential outcomes for your case. Additionally, it’s important to find a lawyer who specializes in the specific areas of business law that are relevant to your case, such as corporate law, contracts, or intellectual property.
Another factor to consider when choosing a business lawyer in Virginia Beach is their reputation in the community. This can often be determined by asking other professionals in the field, reading online reviews, or seeking recommendations from colleagues or friends who have hired a business lawyer before. A lawyer with a solid reputation is more likely to provide you with the level of service and expertise that you need to succeed.
Lastly, communication skills are a crucial aspect to look for when hiring a business lawyer in Virginia Beach. The lawyer you hire should be able to explain complex legal concepts in a way that is easy to understand, as well as be responsive to your questions and concerns throughout the legal process. A good business lawyer should also be able to communicate effectively with other parties involved in the case, such as co-counsel or opposing counsel.
How Much Will a Business Lawyer Cost?
Attorneys come with a wide variety of rates, all dependent on their experience levels, specialties, and firm. Of course, you never want to sacrifice quality over cost by hiring a lower-cost lawyer, but there are options to fit any budget. Most business lawyers charge on an hourly basis, in Virginia Beach this could range from $150 to $600.
There are typically several factors that will determine the cost of your attorney. These include the complexity of the work, urgency for services, and the size of your firm. The legal fees could include retainer fees, recurring fees, and flat fees.
For example, if a formal partnership is being established, perhaps it will take 10 hours of work . At $300/hour, the total service for this formal partnership would be $3,000. If the partnership structure is even more complex, the legal fees could potentially double. On the other hand, an informal partnership might only cost $150 to $200 per hour.
Again, if the business lawyer charges an hourly rate, the total price will depend on how many hours are spent on your case. For smaller businesses, it may be beneficial to hire an attorney with a focus on business law. One who has experience working with small businesses will be able to best determine the needs of your business while controlling the costs.
Leading Business Law Firms in Virginia Beach
As you look for the best business lawyer in Virginia Beach for your needs, it’s helpful to know who the most sought after business lawyers in the area are, as well as a bit more about their firms.
Thanks to AVVO and other sources, we have a good idea of some of the top business law firms in Virginia Beach. The Vaughan Law Group focuses on "employment law, business law, commercial and civil litigation." They have an AVVO rating of 7.8 (10 is top). Reviews highlight that clients feel they got "good results," that their "legal issue was handled in a professional manner," and that "Steve worked hard to resolve the issues I was having."
GreeneHough has an AVVO rating of 9.2 (10 is top). One reviewer noted that there are "excellent attorneys" at the firm and that the firm is "very committed to clients." Another client said the firm’s lawyers are "straightforward, knowledgeable, effective." GreeneHough specializes in "corporate law, general counsel services, intellectual property, employment law, non-competes, business sales and acquisitions."
Glover Law Firm LLC has an AVVO rating of 9.4 (10 is top). One reviewer said he received "solid advice" regarding his business issue. Another client said that lawyers at the firm are "prompt" and "personable" and that the firm’s lawyers "take the time to explain everything" and follow through on their word. GloverLaw’s website describes its business law specialty as "small business, startups and commercial transactions."
The Law Offices of John W. Lee has an AVVO rating of 7.5 (10 is top). One reviewer said that his case had "a very successful outcome; I was happy with the choice of attorney. I felt helped and guided through the process." Another client said that the lawyers at the firm "did exactly what I asked them to do and were very effective and competent. They gave good advice and were very thorough." The Law Offices of John W. Lee specializes in "business, family, and real estate law" and "litigation."
Fisher, Byrne & Smith we have an AVVO rating of 8.8 (10 is top). One reviewer said Fisher, Byrne & Smith represented her "with integrity and excellence" and that they were "always courteous." Another client said that her business law attorneys were "very caring, reliable and efficient. Very timely in getting back to me with information." The firm specializes in "corporate, insurance, bankruptcy, and business law."
Typical Legal Concerns for Businesses
Common legal issues faced by your business include compliance, employee relations, and mergers. In fact, there is a great deal of legislation at the local, state, and federal levels that directly affects businesses. Choosing a Virginia Beach business lawyer with experience in all such areas is essential when starting up and running your small, medium, or large business.
Compliance can be with federal OSHA regulations and other workplace safety requirements. It can also be with EPA regulations with regard to environmental protection standards. If your company uses the internet to sell products and services, you will need to comply with all e-business laws as well.
Business owners must understand how to comply with the various state and local laws and regulations. For example, the federal minimum wage law is only $7.25 per hour, but many states and cities have a higher minimum wage law. And it is necessary for your business to pay your employees at least the mandatory minimum.
Compliance with all federal, state, and local mandates is important to avoid litigation and fines . This is where a Virginia Beach business lawyer can be extremely helpful, assisting you first to understand the mandatory requirements and then to make sure you and your company are in compliance.
Employee relations is also an important area where good Virginia Beach business counsel can help business owners. The best companies are the ones with great employees. So it makes sense that keeping your employees happy is critically important. Great employee relations starts with organizing your business so that morale is high. When employees feel good about their work, they are less likely to quit or even worse, sue.
The law does not require that you like all of your employees and it also does not require that your employees like you. However, if your employees love their jobs, they will perform better and be more productive.
Great employee relations also means maintaining compliance with all employee-related laws and regulations. Your Virginia Beach business lawyer will help your business so that it is in compliance with all Laws related to employee benefits and pay — including health care insurance, unemployment, and workers compensation.