Portland Startup Attorneys & Lawyers

Why Hire a Startup Lawyer?

Today's entrepreneur has a lot on their plate. Depending on the type of business you're starting, there are ideas to brainstorm, services to plan, and prototypes to build. You should concentrate on your unique brand development and not spend endless hours researching permits, laws, trademarks, patents, and other specialty information. For example, when opening a business in Portland, you need to make sure your business name is available, register with Portland and Multnomah County, obtain local licenses and permits, comply with ADA legislation, and handle any environmental issues your company may face.

If you're developing the company with others, it's crucial to lay out the rights and responsibilities of each person up front so there are no disputes down the line. Friendly verbal agreements seem OK at first, but when the capital begins to roll in, having an airtight contract will help ensure that the company founders will continue to work together. Many business's have taken flight only to fail when discord blooms among its founding members. Planning in advance helps avoid such a disaster.

Lawsuits and fines can result unless you know where the pitfalls are. A local startup lawyer knows:

• The Portland scene and what customers, governmental entities, and local suppliers expect of your firm.
• The red flags associated with liability.
• The Portland employment climate.

If you've been served with court documents, it's already too late. A good startup attorney can help you avoid problems in the first place. Also, when you begin hiring employees, you'll know what to expect of them and what they will expect from you.

They can also advise on ways to do business that allow you to avoid tax liabilities. The last thing you want is a tax audit without having your bases covered. While an accountant is useful, keeping the books yourself is a great way to keep tabs on all expenditures. It's a task that many entry-level businesspeople can handle. Knowing the tax traps, however, is something that requires years of experience and familiarity. This is when a startup attorney is a huge asset.

If you need extra capital for your venture, your startup lawyer can advise you on everything from convertible notes and angel investors to stock offerings. They can make sure that you don't undersell your business or enter transactions that can damage your financial future. Since your attorney is connected with the Portland business scene, dropping their name can also give credibility to would-be investors.

How to Find the Best Startup Lawyer

The person who works best for your company will simply feel right. They will be enthusiastic about your ideas and have experience that relates to your plans. If you're opening a restaurant, for example, your attorney will be vastly different from one who works primarily with tech firms. Trust your gut when selecting your startup lawyer. You should have similar interests and connect on many levels when you start discussing your business plan.

It's best to consult an attorney before even setting up your business entity. Whether you'll be a corporation, an LLC, a sole proprietor, or a partnership all depends on how large you're planning on becoming, what sort of industry you're involved in, how many people are involved, and countless other factors. These factors should also influence your decision when picking an attorney. Larger startups, for example, will probably require a senior representative instead of a fledgling attorney with only a few years of experience.

Since you're likely already involved in the business scene, reach out to others in your field for referrals. If you're opening a construction company, friends you've made can point you in the right direction. People network for a reason, and locating the perfect lawyer is a good example why.

The internet is a necessary resource when finding the right lawyer. Online reviews are extremely helpful and are often detailed enough to determine if a lawyer's specific strengths and weaknesses will work for you. For instance, if reviews show that an attorney is slow to respond to inquiries, this may be a deal breaker for you.

Questions to Ask a Potential Startup Lawyer

• Where did you graduate, and how many years of experience do you have?
• How many years have you been working with Portland startups like mine?
• What is your fee structure? How and when do you bill for services?
• What is your preferred manner of communication?
• What do you do in your spare time? (You'll be working closely with this person for years, and having common interests can help create a successful relationship.)

No matter what stage you're in for your business venture, a Portland startup lawyer can help you develop a business contract, get the necessary licenses and permits, and make sure that your startup company is complying with ADA legislation.