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When Is It Time to Hire a Small Business Attorney?

Having a business attorney is definitely a great idea when the time comes, but when is that time? Check out this article to find out when is the perfect time you should consider hiring a small business attorney now!

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When Is It Time to Hire a Small Business Attorney?

Having a business attorney is definitely a great idea when the time comes, but when is that time? Check out this article to find out when is the perfect time you should consider hiring a small business attorney now!

Small Businesses and Small Business Attorneys

Wondering if your company needs a small business attorney? Then you need this guide.

As a small business, you can't afford to keep an attorney available at all times. But when you need legal help, you don't want to get stuck in a situation where you don't have the attorney you need available. When is it the right time to hire a business lawyer?

In this guide, we'll clear up the confusion. Keep reading to find out how to tell when it's time to hire a lawyer!

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Do You Really Need a Small Business Attorney?

A small business lawyer can be an expensive investment. You might be wondering if you really need one at all.

Most small businesses will need a small business attorney at some point. But there are a few types of businesses that can succeed without ever needing legal guidance, too. Let's take a look at some of the cases when you might not need a small business lawyer at all.

1. Hobby Businesses

If your small business exists as a hobby, and not as a money-making venture, legal help probably isn't for you.

Hobby businesses aren't serious businesses that are meant to grow and become profitable. However, many people with "hobby businesses" may not realize that that's what they're doing. They might have a dream of making lots of money but aren't putting in the time or effort to make it happen.

Sometimes, your business is simply a pricey hobby. It's okay to run a business that doesn't make a profit if it's something you enjoy. After all, you can still call yourself an entrepreneur either way! And the good news is that you won't need a lawyer for this kind of business.

2. Businesses That Don't Make Money

Needless to say, there's a great deal of overlap between a hobby business and a company that's not making any money. You might even be losing money as you pursue your business. If your company isn't making money, it's not realistic to hire a lawyer, and you probably don't need one anyway.

3. Businesses With Generic Names

One of the main reasons you might need a small business lawyer is to protect your intellectual property, such as your company name. But if your company has a generic name, like "Joe's Electronics," there isn't any intellectual property to protect.

You can't trademark a name that's too generic, so you shouldn't waste your money on a lawyer whose protection you don't need.

4. Businesses That Can Do Legal Work

Finally, you might be among the minority of business owners who feels capable of handling your own legal tasks. Most of the time, this isn't the best idea. But if you have a legal background, you might feel that you can get by without a lawyer.

When to Hire a Small Business Lawyer

For the vast majority of small businesses, the above scenarios don't apply. Most businesses should hire a small business attorney - but it's all about hiring one at the right time. Let's take a look at some of the signs that it's time to get a lawyer on the phone.

1. You're Planning to Grow

If you have plans to grow your company in a major way, you should start talking to a lawyer as soon as possible.

"A major way" means you're planning to make revolutionary changes in your industry, or you want a brand that will go national or even global. If you're planning on having a major impact or major revenue, you'll need a solid legal team on board for the process.

2. You're Looking at Outside Funding

Outside funding can take a number of different forms, from private investors to structured debt

No matter what, you'll be working with complicated securities laws when you start considering outside funding. You might be dealing with both federal and state regulations, and if you violate the laws, there are criminal penalties.

You don't want to pay thousands of dollars of fines, or worse, have to do jail time. Make sure you talk to a business lawyer so you can approach this situation without issues.

3. You Need to Protect Your Name

If your business doesn't have a generic name like those discussed above, you'll need to protect it. Your brand is innovative or unique - make sure other people can't steal from you.

A lawyer who knows small business and intellectual property laws will be able to help you protect your brand's name and identity from competitors.

4. You Make a Significant Gross Revenue Each Month

The exact number depends on your business. But if you're making a fairly high gross revenue each month - let's say measured in tens of thousands, not just thousands - you should have a lawyer.

Your business is pulling in significant amounts of cash. Even if you have high expenses, there should still be some profit left to work with. An attorney can help you avoid potentially expensive legal issues. If you have enough money coming in to afford a lawyer, get one.

5. You're Opening Lots of Businesses Fast

If you're quickly opening up multiple brands, you're probably looking to generate a lot of revenue in the near future. Why waste your energy doing the legal work that it takes to open different brands at the same time? Hiring a lawyer will quickly pay off in this situation.

6. You Don't Have Legal Trouble

If you wait to hire a lawyer until you've run into legal trouble, it's too late. As long as you can afford a small business attorney, the sooner you hire one the better.

Speaking to a lawyer will help you avoid foreseeable problems and keep your business healthy and legal.

Have You Defaulted on an SBA Loan?

If your business has defaulted on its SBA loan, it is time to contact an experienced SBA workout attorney to deal with your SBA loan.  Not only is the business liable for the debt, but you, as the personal guarantor, are also liable. With the bank and the SBA coming after you for the SBA debt, it is time to retain an SBA attorney.

We can help. Click here to learn more about our SBA services.

Why Hire Us to Help You with Your Treasury or SBA Debt Problems?

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Millions of Dollars in SBA Debts Resolved via Offer in Compromise and Negotiated Repayment Agreements without our Clients filing for Bankruptcy or Facing Home Foreclosure

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Millions of Dollars in Treasury Debts Defended Against via AWG Hearings, Treasury Offset Program Resolution, Cross-servicing Disputes, Private Collection Agency Representation, Compromise Offers and Negotiated Repayment Agreements

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Our Attorneys are Authorized by the Agency Practice Act to Represent Federal Debtors Nationwide before the SBA, The SBA Office of Hearings and Appeals, the Treasury Department, and the Bureau of Fiscal Service.

$505,000 SBA 7A LOAN - FEDERAL DISTRICT COURT LITIGATION (CALIFORNIA)

$505,000 SBA 7A LOAN - FEDERAL DISTRICT COURT LITIGATION (CALIFORNIA)

Clients borrowed and personally guaranteed an SBA 7(a) loan.  Clients defaulted on the SBA loan and were sued in federal district court for breach of contract.  The SBA lender demanded the Client pledge several personal real estate properties as collateral to reinstate and secure the defaulted SBA loan.  We were subsequently hired to intervene and aggressively defend the lawsuit.  After several months of litigation, our attorneys negotiated a reinstatement of the SBA loan and a structured workout that did not involve any liens against the Client's personal real estate holdings.

$680,000 SBA COVID-EIDL LOAN - SBA OHA LITIGATION

$680,000 SBA COVID-EIDL LOAN - SBA OHA LITIGATION

Small business sole proprietor obtained an SBA COVID-EIDL loan for $500,000. Client defaulted causing SBA to charge-off the loan, accelerate the balance and refer the debt to Treasury's Bureau of Fiscal Service for aggressive collection. Treasury added $180,000 in collection fees totaling $680,000+. Client tried to negotiate with Treasury but was only offered a 3-year or 10-year repayment plan. Client hired the Firm to represent before the SBA, Treasury and a Private Collection Agency.  After securing government records through discovery and reviewing them, we filed an Appeals Petition with the SBA Office of Hearings & Appeals (OHA) court challenging the SBA's referral of the debt to Treasury citing a host of purported violations. The Firm was able to negotiate a reinstatement and recall of the loan back to the SBA, participation in the Hardship Accommodation Plan, termination of Treasury's enforced collection and removal of the statutory collection fees.

$350,000 SBA 7A LOAN - NEGOTIATED STRUCTURED WORKOUT AGREEMENT

$350,000 SBA 7A LOAN - NEGOTIATED STRUCTURED WORKOUT AGREEMENT

Client personally guaranteed SBA 7(a) loan for $350,000. The small business failed but because of the personal guarantee liability, the client continued to pay the monthly principal & interest out-of-pocket draining his savings. The client hired a local attorney but quickly realized that he was not familiar with SBA-backed loans or their standard operating procedures. Our firm was subsequently hired after the client received the SBA's official 60-day notice. After back-and-forth negotiations, we were able to convince the SBA to reinstate the loan, retract the acceleration of the outstanding balance, modify the original terms, and approve a structured workout reducing the interest rate from 7.75% to 0% and extending the maturity date for a longer period to make the monthly payments affordable. In conclusion, not only we were able to help the client avoid litigation and bankruptcy, but our SBA lawyers also saved him approximately $227,945 over the term of the workout.

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