Protect Your Small Business from Disruptive Litigation

On behalf of The Law Office of Lynnette Ariathurai, A Professional Corporationposted in Business Formation & Planning on Tuesday, April 26, 2016.

One of the greatest fears that many small business owners have is the potential to be sued. If they have set up the proper legal entities and worked with an attorney to structure their business in a prudent manner, lawsuits and litigation do not mean that the business is at risk of being wiped out.

Lawsuits are dangerous to a business, nonetheless. Studies find that even if the business wins the lawsuit, lawsuits still weigh heavily on the balance sheet. Additionally, litigation diverts the business owner’s time and attention away from operations, developing the business, growing and ultimately making money. In some cases, businesses often adapt their operations and change the way they do business to make up for time and resources lost on the lawsuit.

If there is a threat of a lawsuit, be proactive. Do not wait for the opposing party to take legal action. Contact a skilled business law attorney immediately. If handled proactively, your lawyer can start negotiations and help you avoid going to court.

These are things you need to look for in a business law attorney to protect your business and the toll that a drawn out lawsuit could take:

Choose an attorney who takes the time to understand your business model – Your attorney should be familiar with your day to day operations, your plans for growth, the relationships you rely upon, the relationships you hope to make and your financial situation. The more time your attorney spends becoming familiar with the bones of your business, the more customized the legal solutions can be and the better the outcome of the matter.

Choose an attorney who is not afraid to go to litigation – While the goal is to avoid court, sometimes it becomes unavoidable. Make sure that your lawyer has the experience to handle complex litigation – and is prepared to take the case to court, if necessary.

Choose an attorney who is willing to partner with you – The insight your attorney gains about your company through the course of the lawsuit will be invaluable for years to come. This firm can then partner with you through the future to create the legal structures and policies that will mitigate the risk of future legal battles – and create a foundation for long-term growth.

Attorney Lynnette Ariathurai is trusted by businesses throughout the Fremont area, including Hayward, Union City, Milpitas, Castro Valley, and Newark, CA. She invests the time and resources needed to understand her clients’ businesses from the inside out and provides solutions and strategies for a sound legal foundation that will facilitate growth.