Seattle Startup Attorneys & Lawyers

Why Hire a Startup Lawyer?

It's common for Seattle startups to believe that they don't need an attorney. However, nothing could be further from the truth. Running a startup is complicated, and hiring an attorney makes common tasks much easier. In reality, there are many different reasons that a startup needs an attorney.

• Meeting government requirements can be tricky. Your startup must follow very specific laws. Breaking these laws can result in fines and even criminal charges. The best startup attorneys understand these laws, and they will be able to make sure that your company is following them.

• A startup lawyer can also deal with third parties. Startups have to interact with many different groups of people. For example, your lawyer may interact with your startup's customers and suppliers. They can also deal with investors or even the public on your behalf.

• Startups are made up of many different people. This can sometimes lead to disagreements. A startup lawyer can resolve these disagreements and improve interactions within your startup, which can be vital to your startup's future success.

Startup attorneys in Seattle are responsible for several legal tasks. Learning what your attorney can and should help with is an important part of hiring a lawyer. Common tasks your startup attorney may perform include the following:

• Raising money from investors.

• Incorporating your startup

• Assisting in hiring employees

• Drafting contracts and other legal documents

• Applying for patents, trademarks, and service marks

As you can see, there are many different reasons to hire a startup lawyer. Without an attorney, you will have a much harder time running your startup and achieving your goals.

How to Find the Best Startup Lawyer

Now that you know why your startup needs a Seattle startup attorney, you need to find the right attorney for you. Luckily, this isn't that difficult if you have the right information. The best way to hire a startup attorney is to think about your needs. What tasks will you need an attorney to perform? Do you prefer an attorney who works on their own, giving you their full attention, or one who has the resources of a large firm at their disposal? Understanding your needs will allow you to pick a lawyer that's right for you.

A good resource for finding an attorney in Seattle is the Bar Association. The Bar Association will usually have a list of attorneys in your area. Reading this list can help you find attorneys that focus on startup law. You can also search for Seattle attorneys online. There are many web resources for finding high-quality attorneys. Lastly, you should get referrals from those you trust. If you know someone who has hired a startup lawyer, ask them for recommendations.

Questions to Ask a Startup Lawyer

An important part of hiring a startup lawyer is asking the right questions. Keeping a list of preferences and requirements in mind will help you determine an attorney's quality. It will also help you decide if a given lawyer is right for your startup. Some important questions to ask your Seattle startup attorney can include:

• Are they familiar with your industry? Startups can be part of virtually any industry. The industry your startup belongs to can make a huge difference regarding the tasks you must complete, the laws you must follow, and the help you require. You should make sure any attorney you hire understands your specific industry. This will allow them to better meet your needs.

• Do they have experience with startups in different stages? The needs of an early-stage startup are different than a late-stage startup. Working with an early startup requires dedication, and attorneys who don't have experience with early startups might not be right for you. Ask about your lawyer's experience with early stage startups and about how successful they have been.

• What are their fees? Early startups are often very concerned with expenses. This means you need to examine the costs of hiring a startup lawyer. Ask lawyers you are considering about their fee structure. While you don't want to pay too much, you also shouldn't pay too little. Lawyers who offer free services many not meet your expectations, while lawyers who are too expensive can cause issues for your startup's finances.

• Will you get one-on-one time? If you hire an attorney from a large firm, they may not be able to dedicate their time to you. Before hiring from a firm, ask how much individual attention you will receive. Ask the same question to individual attorneys. Make sure your Seattle, Washington, startup lawyer will give you the attention you deserve.

If you need a startup attorney in Seattle, Washington, your best option is to search on UpCounsel. On the UpCounsel marketplace, you'll find highly trained and experienced startup attorneys who offer competitive pricing.

Get the legal representation your Seattle startup needs through UpCounsel today.