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Forbes Legal Council
Experienced chief legal officers & law firm partners from Forbes Legal Council offer firsthand insights on legal issues.
Selecting the right attorney to represent your business is a big commitment. Many factors differentiate one attorney from the next, from knowledge of your industry to how you’ll be billed. And don’t forget personality — that matters too. Factors like these can help you decide which firm is the perfect fit for both you and your company.
Below, five chief legal officers and law firm partners from Forbes Legal Council highlight the most important considerations to weigh before making your final decision.
Clockwise from top left: Dan Hussain, Neil Lerner, Matthew Moisan, Doug Bend, Anthony Johnson. All photos courtesy of the individual member.
1. A Strong Track Record of Integration
Identify legal experts who have experience in your field. Success is not just a matter of knowing the law relative to a given business model, but integrating that understanding into review procedures, products and people. – Dan Hussain, American Patent Agency
2. Someone Who Understands Your Business
Look for a lawyer who understands your business, is an effective communicator and gives advice that is targeted to the issue at hand. – Neil Lerner, Cox, Wootton, Lerner, Griffin & Hansen LLP
3. Personality
Find a lawyer that you like — plain and simple. The lawyer’s job is to not only protect you but also manage the anxiety that accompanies whatever transaction you are undertaking. If you don’t like your lawyer, he or she cannot do this effectively. – Matthew Moisan, Moisan Legal PC
