Living in an inter-connected world, we often get questions about whether it’s necessary to hire a lawyer near you. When considering hiring a business lawyer, often the first thought is, “what business lawyers are near me?” In this day and age, when Skype and Facetime are available, is it necessary to find a business lawyer near you?
Not necessarily. The best way to find a lawyer is to interview a number of people and decide who you have the best rapport with. Do you like their style? Do you agree on business growth philosophy? Is this person going to be awesome to work with? It’s entirely possible that this lawyer might not be near you.
Lawyers are licensed to practice law based on their home state, so you certainly would want someone licensed in the state you primarily do business. However, for federal trademark matters, you can use a lawyer in any state, because it’s a federal issue. Also, many corporate matters are similar state to state, and you could hire a lawyer not necessarily near you. Corporate counsel often works from a particular state, but the business has activities all over the country. Your business lawyer can make connections in other states if you need advice on local laws.
To work with a business lawyer not near you, it’s helpful to set up a phone call and even a video conference. In this day and age, you don’t have to find a lawyer down the block, or even in the same city. It’s best to find someone that will be the best fit for your business.