Whilst we are sure that web designers would much rather spend their time dealing with website coding and colour palettes, the fact they do so as a business means there are fewer exciting matters to attend to. One of those is dealing with the legalities related to running a web design business and ensuring that the business is protected from any legal penalties or actions.
For the most part, common sense and working to an acceptable standard will be enough to achieve that goal, but such is the potential fallout from something going wrong relating to a legal matter, and the sensible option is to retain the services of a lawyer. The adage “better safe than sorry” most definitely applies when it comes to having someone in your corner should the worst happen.
The next step is to decide who that lawyer is going to be. It needs to be someone that is not only proven to have experience and expertise in commercial law and other legislation that might apply to your business, but also someone whom you feel comfortable working with. This is especially so as you might need them to fight your case should you face a lawsuit, or be taking legal action against another party.
To help make the process of choosing your lawyer easier, we have outlined five simple and highly effective tips for web designers to ensure that the lawyer they choose to represent their web design business is the right one.
Establish The Reasons You Want To Retain A Lawyer’s Services
The first step in choosing a lawyer is establishing exactly why you want one in the first place. Do you fear others might steal your copyrights and intellectual property? Do you want protection against clients not paying? Once your reasons are established, it will help your selection process.
Speak To Family, Friends, And Associates To Ask For Recommendations
One of the quickest ways to pinpoint your lawyer is to opt for someone that has already proven themself by representing someone you know. Friends, family, associates, and other web designers are great sources from which to garner recommendations and referrals.
Visit Their Websites And Evaluate Those You Have Shortlisted
You want a lawyer who is professional and takes pride in their work, and that can be verified to a degree by the quality of their website. Check the websites of lawyers you have shortlisted to not only evaluate them but also check the services they offer and read testimonials published there.
Write Out A List Of Pros And Cons For Each Lawyer
Once you are down to your final shortlist, you can follow a tried and trusted method of choosing your winner. This involves considering each lawyer on your shortlist and writing down the pros and cons for each one. These might relate to the number of services they offer, how close their offices are to where you live, or what their fees are.
Arrange An Initial Meeting With The Lawyer Chosen To Confirm You Are Happy With Your Decision
The final tip is to arrange a meeting with the lawyer you have chosen. This is primarily to confirm your choice, but it may also be the case that the vibe you get when one-to-one with them is not right. Remember their importance to your business, so never deny yourself the option to pass and move on to another lawyer.