No matter what kind of business you operate, there’s a chance that you’re going to need legal advice. Rather than taking the time to schedule an appointment when a lawyer and go to their office, it’s a great idea to keep someone on retainer so you have quick and easy access to advice. If you run a business and you’re not sure if you should keep a lawyer on retainer, we have eight reasons why it’s a good idea for your company.
They’re Available When You Need Them
When you need legal advice, it’s often for a pressing matter at hand. This could be something as common as getting the verbiage right in a contract or how to approach a lawsuit. No matter what, you have legal advice close by. Something to consider is the specialty of your attorney. You can find a lawyer or law firm that has a variety of specialties so you can get the advice you need when you need it. This makes it easier to get legal advice from a single place rather than having to work with four or five different law firms to get the information you’re looking for.
Your Employees Regularly Drive for Work
Some companies require their employees to spend a considerable amount of time driving. Whether they’re driving for deliveries or traveling, they’re always going to be at risk while on the road. It’s important to have an attorney readily available to defend your drivers in the event of an accident. According to a Pasadena car accident lawyer, personal injury laws are complex, and a misinterpretation might cost you your entire settlement. Have a car accident lawyer who’s ready to assist you when you need representation.
You Have Regular Legal Needs
Some companies are going to have more legal needs than others. Those who work in the healthcare industry, provide general contractor services, or perform auto services are often at risk of being sued because of liability with an injury, illness, or death. When you have an attorney on retainer, you can receive advice regarding incidents that you might anticipate legal trouble ahead of time or a customer comes your way with an unexpected claim.
You Can’t Pay for a Full-time Lawyer
If you need regular legal advice, you can always hire a full-time lawyer to work as a part of your staff. This gives you access to an attorney at the drop of a hat and they’re familiar with the risks you inherently hold as a part of your operations. However, having a full-time lawyer on your staff can be incredibly expensive. While you’re going to be saving on hourly rates compared to paying a lawyer for service, you’re still paying a salary. Paying a monthly or annual retainer fee can be cheaper than having your own in-house legal team.
You Need to Protect Intellectual Property
Creative agencies and artists are often at risk of having their intellectual property stolen and not being able to capitalize on their work. An attorney can help you prove copyright infringement when it’s applicable and protect your intellectual property and creative work.
Beyond creatives, every business has its own intellectual property that can be legally protected. Whether you’re trying to protect manufacturing processes, policies, or patents, you need an attorney to help ensure that the knowledge that comes from your company and sets you apart from that you don’t want your competitors or others to take from you.
You Have Other Things That Need Your Attention
Business owners have enough on their plates to run the day-to-day operations of the company. If you’re not a legal expert, you can spend far too much of your time worrying about the legal aspects of your business and not enough time on the other important aspects. You can pay a flat rate each month to have a business lawyer on retainer so you have regular legal advice from someone who is familiar with you and your business compared to a fee-for-service attorney who isn’t familiar with what you do. You’re also able to have legal counsel without the high price tag that comes with building out an entire legal department.
You Work in a High-risk Industry
Companies that work in manufacturing and industry put their employees at risk every day as a part of their regular job. Having an attorney on retainer makes it easier to obtain legal advice that you need at an instant. Your attorney can help you verify that there were safety measures taken to prevent the accident and speak with witnesses and others to learn as much as you can about the incident.
You Run an Online Business
Online companies have different inherent risks than a traditional brick-and-mortar company. There’s always the risk of a data breach, incomplete disclaimers, and the use of private information. If you’re running an online business, it’s a good idea to have a lawyer close by who specializes in cyber crime so they can help if you get in a bind.
