Obtaining legal advice for a startup or small business is usually through speaking to a general commercial law solicitor. Unlike standard commercial solicitors, small business lawyers usually have more knowledge relating to the specific legalities of running a small business and therefore can provide much more specialised advice. However, these solicitors have many years of experience in the field; they should not be expected to carry out every task or procedure required by a client. A good idea would be to find a local solicitor specialising in the type of business you wish to set up or expand.

Commercial law encompasses many areas, including franchises, partnerships, licensing agreements, commercial leases, intellectual property, and trademarks. There are also other categories such as government contracts, patents, design patents, international trade matters, tax and banking laws, and a whole host of others. Many small business lawyers will have a website that provides information relating to their areas of specialty. It is always advisable to seek legal advice before taking any action, and it is even better if the advice you receive is after-action advice. This means that if you follow through and enter into legal agreements or make purchases or sales, you will be sure that you have taken all steps necessary to ensure that the transactions will adhere to all applicable laws.

Types of small business lawyers

There are several main types of small business lawyers available to provide legal services to entrepreneurs. The most common type of attorney for many entrepreneurs is one who focuses solely on commercial matters. These attorneys typically take care of all legal matters related to businesses, including contract law, intellectual property protection, commercial leases, franchising, advertising, and branding. Other areas where these legal professionals can assist you include financing, accounting, payroll, litigation, landlord and tenant law, and mergers and acquisitions.

What is entrepreneurial law?

Entrepreneurial law is the term used to describe those small business lawyers who specifically handle startups. A startup is a new company formed to produce and sell a product or service. To qualify as a startup, a company must demonstrate exceptional creativity, determination, marketing acumen, and financial ability. A successful startup requires the expertise of an attorney who has specialised training in the field of commercial law.

Other specialised areas of small business lawyers include transactional law or commercial activity less than writing, which involves transactions between a business and a customer. The attorney may have expertise in handling various issues related to these transactions, including breach of contract and fraud. Also included are issues relating to intellectual property, securities, trademarks, and patent rights.

Patent attorneys are primarily involved in dealing with the issue of patents. The importance of patents in modern society cannot be undersold. Without patents, the innovations that new products and technology to create would not be protected from free-market competition.

Patent protection

Small business owners are sometimes unaware that they have a legal right to file for patent protection on their inventions and that doing so can help them secure substantial benefits. Business owners who may need commercial legal advice relating to startups should work closely with small business lawyers who specialise in this specific area. These professionals can provide sound legal advice and representation. In many instances, the business owner will not protect their idea from potential competitors because the potential competitor may have already come up with an effective product or service. When this happens, the business owner can benefit from seeking the counsel of a commercial lawyer. Some startups even face the risk of being shut down because of a competitor’s product or service. Therefore, it is crucial that businesses carefully select the right patent attorney to provide them with legal counsel.