1. 1333 W. McDermott Dr.  Suite 190  Allen, Texas 75013
Toll Free: 844.MackLaw
Phone: 469.351.3300
Fax: 469.351.3301
www.macklawgroup.com
Gregory C. Mack gmack@macklawgroup.com
1 | P a g e
APRIL 2015
Hiring a Business Lawyer
Hiring an attorney can be a daunting task if you have never needed one in the past or do not know
when and how to begin. However, finding and selecting a lawyer is an important decision that
should not be taken lightly and requires effort and diligence on your part.
WHEN DO I NEED A LAWYER?
Although the answer depends on your business and your particular circumstances, it's generally
worthwhile to consult an attorney before making any decisions that could have legal ramifications.
Some entrepreneurs wait until something goes wrong to consult with an attorney, but in today's
litigious society, that isn't the smartest idea. Almost every business, whatever its size, requires a
lawyer's advice at some point. Even the smallest business has tax concerns that need to be
addressed as early as the planning stages which means finding your lawyer as soon as possible is
critically important to your business.
HOW DO I FIND A LAWYER?
Many entrepreneurs say their relationship with a lawyer is like a marriage – it takes time to
develop. That's why it's important to lay the groundwork for a good partnership early. How do
you choose the right attorney? Ask for recommendations from business owners in your industry
or from professionals such as bankers and accountants you trust. Don't just get names. Ask
probing questions designed to elicit the specific strengths and weaknesses of the attorney's they
recommend.
Then take the process one step further: Ask your business associates' attorneys who they
recommend and why. Next, set up an interview with several of the attorneys you're considering.
Tell them you're interested in building a long-term relationship. In some instances, you can find
attorneys willing to meet with you for an initial consultation without charging a fee. Other
attorneys will charge you a fee even for the initial consultation, especially business attorneys.

2. Mack Law Group, PLLC
Do not miss finding the best lawyer simply because a highly rated attorney charges a consultation
fee. The long term relationship you are seeking to build and the value you will receive from
gaining access to the most trusted professional will easily outweigh the upfront costs over the long
term.
WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR IN AN ATTORNEY?
Experience. Although it's not essential to find an expert in your particular field, it makes sense to
look for someone who specializes in small-business problems as opposed to, say maritime law.
Find someone who understands the different business structures, the tax implications of each and
what legal entity is the right choice for your business.
Understanding. Be sure the attorney is willing to learn about your business's goals. You may be
a startup today, but make sure the lawyer understands where you want to be tomorrow and share
your vision for the future.
Ability to communicate. Find an attorney who speaks your language. If the lawyer speaks in
legalese and doesn't bother to explain the terms he or she uses, you should look for someone else.
It is critically important that you select an attorney who speaks in terms you can easily follow and
understand.
Availability. Will the attorney be available for conferences at your convenience, not his or hers?
How quickly can you expect emergency phone calls to be returned?
Rapport. Is this someone you can get along with? Good chemistry will ensure a better
relationship and more positive results for your business.
References. Do not be afraid to ask for references. In addition, ask what types of businesses or
cases the attorney has worked with in the past. Get a list of clients or other attorneys you can
contact to discuss competence, service and fees.
Reasonable fees. This may be the most confusing and frustrating aspect for clients when searching
for a lawyer. Attorneys charge anywhere from $100 to $1,000 or more per hour, depending on
geographic location, specialty, size of the firm as well as the lawyer's reputation and experience.
WHY SHOULDN’T I JUST HIRE THE LEAST EXPENSIVE LAWYER?
Although price is important, it should not be the only thing you consider when choosing a lawyer.
The lowest hourly fees do not indicate the best value in legal work. An inexperienced attorney
may take twice as long to complete a project as an experienced lawyer and a good attorney can
add value far beyond price.
It is important to think about value in a broad sense rather than just the rate an attorney charges
per hour for time. There is a distinct difference between the two and if understood, will serve you
well when choosing an attorney. “Price is what you pay; value is what you get.” – Warren Buffett.

3. Mack Law Group, PLLC
It should be no surprise that the maxim ‘you get what you pay for’ applies to the legal profession
as well.
While there's no denying that lawyers are expensive, the good news is, there are more ways than
ever to keep a lid on costs. Most business law attorneys bill by the hour, but some lawyers offer
flat fees for certain matters. In addition, some firms offer alternative billing arrangements more
akin to partnering with their clients and sharing in their success. Further, you can ask the attorney
to estimate the cost of your legal matter to help you decide whether it is worth pursuing. If you
think one method will work better for you than another, don't hesitate to bring it up with the
attorney.
In sum, if you begin your search by seeking attorneys with the lowest fee, you may be disappointed
in the end. In fact, unless you ask, you will never know about the options some firms are willing
to offer to earn your business. As a result, basing your decision on the hourly rate alone, may
cause you to automatically eliminate a lawyer who would be perfect for you and your business.
WHAT MAKES AN ATTORNEY MORE VALUABLE THAN OTHERS?
Results. A good attorney will freely discuss clients he or she has represented who were similarly
situated to you in terms of business and needs. They will take the time to explain what they did
for each client and the results achieved. Often, you will learn about innovative approaches used
by the attorney to solve client problems which get better results than a lawyer who uses traditional
methods. In addition, the number of years a lawyer has represented clients in your industry and
the amount of clients who come back time and again to the lawyer demonstrate that the lawyer is
providing quality services that meet or exceed client expectations. A lawyer who has a reputation
for obtaining favorable results for clients will be advantageous to you.
Qualifications. An attorney with many years of practice will have deep knowledge, understanding
and experience. In addition, lawyers who choose to specialize in a particular area of law will
necessarily acquire unusual and unique skills. Because they limit their practice to a specific area,
the attorney will develop a high level of expertise which will be beneficial to clients. They will
also keep their knowledge current through memberships in professional groups and bar sections,
as well as continuing legal education. It is also important to find out which courts the attorney is
admitted to practice and the type of cases they usually handle. All of the information you can learn
about the attorney’s background and experience will help you evaluate the attorney’s qualifications
and ensure you understand the full value of retaining a certain lawyer.
Services. Discuss how many clients the attorney accepts. An attorney who takes on fewer clients
allows that lawyer to focus more time and attention on each client as an individual. This will make
the attorney more accessible to you which means that he or she will promptly respond to your
requests. In addition, an attorney who provides unique or specialized services that are not
generally offered by other lawyers, may offer additional value to you. This may be the way in
which an attorney handles fees or bills clients for expenses. Some lawyers charge for every
photocopy, facsimile, email, short phone call, etc., while some attorneys include these items in
their fee as office overhead, without itemizing. Even the smallest fees can add up over the course

4. Mack Law Group, PLLC
of a case and an attorney who lumps these items into his or her fee may be of tremendous value to
you.
Convenience. Learn about the office’s location in the city, the parking spaces reserved for clients,
and ease of access to the building. A conveniently located office with plenty of parking that is
easy to access minimizes the hassles of visiting your attorney. In addition, find out whether the
attorney works with clients by email and telephone. Lawyers who are willing to use technology
efficiently can be extremely valuable to busy clients with limited time.
Credibility. Lawyers who offer to provide you past client testimonials or letters of
recommendations can be valuable because of what you will learn reading what unrelated third
parties are saying about their experience with the attorney you are considering. In addition, if an
attorney is willing to offer you references you can contact for more information, this bolsters the
credibility of your potential lawyer. Moreover, if the attorney has written any articles or
publications, this may demonstrate the attorney’s knowledge, experience and ability which
indicates that the lawyer is creditable. Credibility of an attorney will be of tremendous value to
you and your legal matter.
WHAT SHOULD I TAKE TO MY MEETING?
After you set up a consultation and before you meet with or call your lawyer, have the necessary
documents with you and know exactly what you want to discuss. At the time, carefully and
completely describe your business and its legal needs.
Do not be concerned about disclosing sensitive or proprietary information to the attorney because
the consultation will be completely confidential. Make sure you pay attention to what the attorney
says and does and take notes so you can use them as you are conducting your search of other
lawyers.
CONCLUSION
Finding the right lawyer to serve your legal needs is an important business decision to make. The
above items are just a few things to consider when searching for your next attorney. Many people
focus solely on the hourly fee charged by lawyers in making their hiring decision. This can be a
big mistake. The value the right attorney can bring to a client is far more important than a low
hourly fee.
WE CAN HELP
Mack Law Group, PLLC may be the right legal counsel for your needs. If you are interested in
learning more about our background, experience and areas of practice, call us today to talk to an
attorney. We are happy to openly discuss our fees, costs, alternative billing arrangements, cases,
clients and results, as well as answer any questions you may have about our firm. Call today at
(469) 351-3300 or email gmack@macklawgroup.com anytime with further inquiries.