As a small business owner, you can take care of many business-related legal matters on your own but there are times when a good business lawyer’s assistance can be invaluable. (See Ten Ways a Business Lawyer Can Help You.)
Why Hire a Business Lawyer
Business law is a specialty. An experienced business lawyer can make sure you get high-quality results without wasting time or money. If you decide to hire a lawyer, you’ll want to find someone who focuses only or almost exclusively on business law, rather than using a general practice lawyer or a lawyer who concentrates on some other legal subject.
Resources for Finding Business Lawyers
Here are some recommended ways to find a business lawyer:
Ask around. Without a doubt, the best way to find a good lawyer is to ask friends, family, work associates. Start with the people you know who own businesses, but consider asking anyone you know and trust. Even if they don’t personally know a business lawyer, they may know another lawyer they like. And that lawyer may be able to direct you to a good business attorney.
Ask your local bar association. The Missouri Bar maintains a lawyer directory. This directory can provide you with names of business lawyers in your area who are in good standing with the bar association. Do keep in mind, however, that the bar association doesn’t screen the lawyers for the amount of experience they have or for their competence. It’s up to you to interview each attorney to find out whether they have the experience you need.
Online lawyer directories. Here are a few websites that offer directories of attorneys serving Pierce City, MO. Because different attorneys list with different directories, we offer you a choice so you can consider a selection of Pierce City, MO business lawyers. Like bar association directories, these lawyers have probably not been screened for their qualifications or competence. Lawyers usually self-report their information, so be prepared to do your homework and ask each lawyer about their experience before hiring anyone.
- Nolo Lawyer Directory of Business Attorneys
- Justia.com Missouri Business Lawyer Directory
- Findlaw Directory of Business Lawyers
Low-cost legal aid services. If your income is low, you may be able to get business assistance or advice from a local legal aid organization.
- Free legal services in Missouri from Legal Services of Missouri
- Your local law school may have a free legal clinic where law students, supervised by their professors, offer legal help. Click on your state to find the law school closest to you.