Looking For The Right Lawyer For Your Toronto Small Business? Part Two: Picking A Business Lawyer

In the first post of this two-part series, we covered where you can find corporate lawyers for your small business.

Now we offer some insight into how to go about choosing the right corporate lawyer.

Step Two: Pick a business lawyer.

You should interview your top few choices (between two to five) before you make your final decision.

Asking questions about the lawyer’s practice – as well as your legal needs – in person will give you a sense of the lawyer’s experience, expertise, personality, and ability to communicate with you. Think about how comfortable you feel with them, and how well you understand the answers they give you.

Also, while you’re looking for someone affordable, fees alone should not be your sole consideration. You get what you pay for most times. It may take someone who is less experienced more time to handle a matter than a lawyer that is seasoned who charges you reasonably for his or her services.

Here are some questions you can ask at your initial consultation:

How many years have you been in practice?
What are your areas of practice?
Who are your clients?
Are there other lawyers at this firm who will be working on the matter? If so, can I meet with them?
How many similar matters have you handled, and what were the results?
What information will you need from me to address this matter?
Do you have connections to a network of professionals, such as accountants, business valuators, etc.?
How do you bill (one-time flat fee, hourly, contingency)?
Is a retainer required?
If you bill hourly, what is the hourly rate?
Do you provide monthly, itemized bills?
What is the estimated cost/number of hours for this matter?
How will you update me on the status of this matter?
Who will be my primary contact at your office?
Will I be able to reach them after hours?
What is the best method of communication to reach them (email, phone, in-person meeting)?
What is the response time?
Can I talk to references?

If you’ve got great instinct – and many entrepreneurs do – you might already have a clear pick after these consultations.

But others of us want so much to select the best lawyer, that we start vacillating about exactly who that may be.

The answer?

Obviously the lawyer you choose must be both qualified and experienced in the area of legal practice you need.

Apart from that, judging who the best one is all boils down to whether you believe you can build a long-term relationship with that lawyer. In this regard, go with your gut as to who the most reliable, diligent, and trustworthy one might be. This is the start of a relationship that can reap long-term benefits for years to come.

Contact An Experienced Corporate Lawyer Today

Anton M. Katz, Barrister & Solicitor has 22 years of corporate law and commercial litigation experience.

We look forward to hearing from you.