{"id":5161,"date":"2021-08-20T14:27:13","date_gmt":"2021-08-20T19:27:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/smallbusiness\/starting-a-business\/do-i-need-a-lawyer-to-start-a-business.html"},"modified":"2026-03-06T01:48:00","modified_gmt":"2026-03-06T06:48:00","slug":"do-i-need-a-lawyer-to-start-a-business","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/smallbusiness\/starting-a-business\/do-i-need-a-lawyer-to-start-a-business.html","title":{"rendered":"Do I Need a Lawyer To Start a Business?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Do I Need a Lawyer To Start a Business?<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Catherine Hodder, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Tim Kelly, J.D.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
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Editorial Note: We earn a commission from affiliate partner links on FindLaw. Commissions do not affect the editorial integrity of our legal content.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n

\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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A small <\/span>business<\/span> lawyer<\/span> is a legal professional who helps entrepreneurs<\/span> with business entity<\/span> formation, contract drafting, and regulatory compliance. Attorneys can assist with various business needs<\/span> such as choosing the right business structure<\/span>, protecting intellectual property<\/span>, and ensuring your business meets legal requirements<\/span> to protect personal assets<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Does a small business even need a lawyer? It’s a common question many entrepreneurs ask. A small business owner wears many hats, especially at the start-up stage. But entrepreneurs frequently make the mistake of doing everything by themselves. Not only does it take time away from their business goals, but it also slows their progress. Trying to figure out business law legal issues is not a task most entrepreneurs want to do.<\/p>\n

This article can help you decide whether hiring a small business lawyer is right for your business. There are\u00a0specific reasons why you may need an attorney<\/a>. Sometimes, a small business may not need to pay for legal advice.<\/p>\n

Form your LLC with confidence.\u00a0Our trusted partner LegalZoom has packages starting at $0 + filing fees.<\/a><\/b><\/i><\/p>\n

Legal Matters You Could Do Without a Lawyer<\/h2>\n

Of course, you don’t need a lawyer for every aspect of your company. There are many things you can do by yourself.<\/p>\n

However, you should always ask whether it’s an efficient use of your time.<\/p>\n

Writing a Business Plan<\/h3>\n

A\u00a0business plan<\/a>\u00a0is a critical step in organizing your new business ideas. Banks and investors review it before giving funding, too. So, a comprehensive analysis of your venture helps to secure funding from banks or investors.<\/p>\n

While a\u00a0business plan has many components<\/a>, it’s manageable for a sole proprietorship to handle alone. It starts with a mission statement and then outlines the framework of your company.<\/p>\n

A small business identifies its:<\/p>\n