Whether you run a small, medium or large business, you will undoubtedly need to handle various legal small business issues. Some tasks you can do on your own, while others really require a lawyer. As a general rule of thumb, the larger your company, the more employees you have, the greater your need will be to hire an attorney.
When and how to hire a lawyer for small business issues
The first thing to determine is if you really need an attorney. They cost hundreds of dollars per hour, so if you’re anything like me, you’d like to avoid that expense. Of course, while you can ask an attorney to handle many legal aspects of your business, there are a number of legal small business issues you can handle yourself, with a little research. Some examples are:
- Establishing a basic business structure.
- Applying for an Employer Identification Number (EIN).
- Submitting IRS forms.
- Obtaining a domain name for your company.
It goes without saying that any small business issues involving a lawsuit will probably require a lawyer. Avoid that at all costs by setting things up properly from the start. It’s a good plan to build a relationship with a lawyer when you set up a new company, before you’re in desperate need.
Cliff Ennico, attorney and author of Small Business Survival Guide succinctly and accurately states, “If you’re being sued, it’s too late.” He goes on to advise that once you’re in the court system it’s hard and expensive to get out.
When you decide that you need a lawyer for your small business issues, interview a few to find the right match. Create a list of questions ahead of time, so you don’t get tongue-tied during the interview.
It’s a good idea to find an experienced lawyer, who has connections to other lawyers who might help out if a need arises. Make sure to hire a lawyer who knows your industry well and has other clients in that arena. Having said that, avoid one that represents any fierce competitors.
While your list of questions are important, it’s also good to gauge his or her communication skills. A good lawyer must be able to explain complex legal issues in an easy to understand way, helping you to prevent problems before they happen through education.
Start-up
One key legal decision you’ll need to make before you start is which business structure is best for your needs. You can establish an LLC, S or C corporation yourself if you do a little research. Or you can hire an attorney to help you set it up. They usually charge a one-time fee.
There are various advantages and disadvantages to each option, so make sure to do your homework before settling on a structure. For instance, while a sole proprietorship is inexpensive and easy to set up, you’ll be personally liable for all debts and lawsuits. On the flip side, with an LLC, you are protected if someone sues you, but there are fees involved and the paperwork can be confusing.
When starting up a new company, make sure to determine permits and licenses you might need. Don’t forget to consider any zoning regulations that might apply as well.
Contracts
As a business owner, you will probably need a variety of contracts to protect you from small business issues. It’s wise to hire a lawyer to help you create these, so you are well protected. Some common contracts you might need would be:
- A Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)
- A partnership agreement
- An independent contractor contract
- A client contract
The NDA is something you need if you have any sort of proprietary information that you plan to share with anyone. Examples might include the content for a book you’re hiring an independent ghostwriter to pen, or your database of client information you plan to share with employees. Along those lines, you might consider asking your employees to sign a non-compete agreement as well, ensuring they can’t try to steal your clients.
You’ll need a good partnership agreement to shield you from small business issues if you plan to run your business with someone else, even if that person is your best friend. Every single aspect of your arrangement needs to be put in writing. A few examples would be:
- What each person does and what they each should contribute.
- Who gets paid what amount of the profits.
- How decisions are made
- How disagreements are settled.
- What happens if the partnership dissolves.
If you plan to outsource to independent contractors, you’ll need a good Work for Hire contract template. You will need to customize one for each job and contractor, depending on the service required, but having that template will save time later.
Client contracts need to be complete and clear, but not overwhelmingly long and complex. It’s a fine line. Do your best to negate any warranties your client might naturally expect and be sure to include a section requiring arbitration if a dispute arises.
Hiring your first employee
If you plan to hire full-time employees, you’ll need to research and comply with state and federal regulations. Of course, if you only need to hire independent contractors, you don’t need to go through the following steps. It’s important to know the difference, so that you handle their employment taxes appropriately. When hiring employees, you’ll need to apply for an employment identification number (EIN), so you can file reports to your state agencies and pay taxes.
Next you’ll need a system for recording all the employment taxes you withhold. You need to save this data for at least four years. These records will help you in the future to monitor your progress and keep track of expenses you can deduct later. You will need to file the IRS Form 941 quarterly, so each employee is credited with the taxes that were withheld from their paycheck.
Have each employee fill out an I-9 form, verifying their eligibility to work legally in the United States, within three days of their hire. As their employer, you must keep this I-9 form on file for at least three years after the hire or, if you fire them, for one year following that event.
To avoid small business issues you will then need to report your new employee to your state directory. To get a list of New Hire Reporting Centers check out this list of state agencies: https://www.sba.gov/content/new-hire-reporting-your-state
And finally, you’ll need to carry workers’ compensation insurance and place posters in the workplace, informing the employees of their rights in this area.
As a new business owner, to avoid small business issues it’s important to keep on top of all your basic legal concerns from the get-go. It might be tempting to push them off until later, but you’ll find your company will run smoother if things are set up correctly from the start. As Ben Franklin said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
References:
https://www.sba.gov/blogs/top-legal-concerns-impact-small-businesses-and-where-find-answers
http://www.businessdictionary.com/article/538/common-legal-issues-faced-by-businesses/
http://www.alllaw.com/articles/legal/article15.asp
http://www.forbes.com/sites/aileron/2014/07/02/top-10-legal-mistakes-small-businesses-make/
https://www.sba.gov/content/hire-your-first-employee
http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/58326
https://www.sba.gov/content/hire-contractor-or-employee
http://smallbiztrends.com/2013/05/small-business-make-a-contract.html
http://www.bloomberg.com/small-business/business-forms
http://www.forbes.com/sites/allbusiness/2013/10/03/big-legal-mistakes-made-by-start-ups/
