If your company is preparing for its next significant acquisitions project, looking to raise funds necessary to complete it, or possibly considering bankruptcy, then you may require a finance lawyer. Granted, most companies have firms on retainer, but relationships can become worn-out or perhaps the terms of the new deal are not satisfactory to everyone involved. Essentially, you need a lawyer you feel comfortable with and who is capable of handling the legal intricacies of your next project.
Prepare a List of Questions
When looking for banking lawyers in st. louis, it is beneficial to prepare a list of questions to ask in your initial consultations. These questions should be expansive, covering topics from experience to success rates in dealing with your particular issues. Also, ask about fees and payment structure. Meet the attorneys who will be working on your case and ask them about their specific skills and what they bring to the table. While they may be the legal experts, you are the client and must feel satisfied with their capabilities.
Perform a Background Check
You would not be doing your due diligence if you did not look into any potential attorney’s background. When a lawyer is handling all types of delicate financial information, you owe it to yourself and your business to verify professional information and licensure, including any possible prior misconduct.
Uncover Professional Reputation
Beyond researching background on your own, you can ask around. Most lawyers are familiar with other firms in their niche. If there is a firm you are interested in ask around, at worst, you are warned to stay away, at best your research is verified and supported by people familiar with your prospect.
Test Rapport
While similar to probing firms with questions, attorney interviews are designed to test rapport between you and your potential counsel. While it is true that you do not have to like your representation, it is also true that you will be spending a lot of time with this person. Therefore, testing the waters and making sure that your personalities do not clash is a good idea.
The task of looking for and hiring a finance attorney can be daunting. However, when in a business where mergers and acquisitions are par for the course or where bankruptcy can be used as a tool to reorganize, it is necessary to have the right attorney at your side. The steps above are a good starting point for your search tactics.
