Sophisticated Legal Counsel for Serious Entrepreneurs

Let's be honest... Every business or non-profit organization has a target market or audience. None of us can (or should even try) to be all things to all people. While we're always happy to "talk shop" and share ideas with fellow entrepreneurs, we know that we're not going to be the right fit for every potential client. So how do we define "serious entrepreneurs"?

POSITIVE PEOPLE ON A PASSIONATE MISSION

At the heart of it all, we help positive people on a passionate mission pursue those passions without worrying that legal "stuff" might come back to bite them. Our best clients:

* communicate with us about the matter at hand AND their big picture goals and vision for their business;
* pursue that vision and their underlying goals with a passion; 
* exhibit integrity, honesty, and loyalty; 
* are fun but still professional; and
* exude positive energy.

THERE IS NO "I" IN TEAM

Our best clients have a team of people around them--business or strategic partners, key employees, investors, an advisory board or board of directors, etc. It's not that we don't help solo-preneurs, but that most of our clients are not planning to remain one person shops forever.

SPEAKING OF TEAMS

As a business law firm, we want to be part of your team. Our best clients have a relationship with us long before a dispute arises because they recognize the value of having trusted legal counsel at every step of the way. (In fact, most of our litigation clients are businesses that did not have a relationship with a business attorney beforehand. But more about litigation below...) We're not like 911; you don't have to wait until there is an emergency to call.

SERIOUS BUSINESS, SERIOUS REVENUE GOALS

Every business exists to make money. (Even our non-profit clients have annual budget goals.) Most of our clients fall in the $100,000 to $5 million per year range. Of course, start-ups can't start ​there, but even they have big picture goals in mind. Could we help larger businesses? Sure, but our focus--our very reason for being--is to help entrepreneurs and visionaries.  

SPEAKING OF BUDGETS

Just like marketing, accounting, and banking are line items in your annual business / non-profit budget, there should also be a line item for legal services. We typically recommend 2-3% of the organization's annual revenues. Of course, this can vary quite a bit depending on whether the organization is a start-up or a rapidly growing company that has been a business for a few years. It also depends on whether or not you are involved in a highly regulated industry. For example, franchisors, medical professionals, credit service companies, etc., can all expect to spend more for legal services than a brick and mortar retail business. Regardless, as long as the organization has a budget, our goal is to find a way to help you minimize legal risks, resolve disputes, and plan for the future within that budget.
If you love what you do and you want to build something amazing (or take amazing to the next level), then let's talk.


What about litigation?

Unfortunately, business disputes happen. While most of our litigation clients are businesses that did not have a business attorney beforehand, that doesn't meant that even the most well-run businesses can't run into problems. So how do we decide which businesses to help?
  • We only represent businesses and non-profit organizations and their owners / directors. Because of our commitment to serious entrepreneurs, we do not accept cases from individuals who have not formed a business entity, want to sue their employer or landlord, etc. If we can, we'll refer you to someone else that may be able to help.
  • We'll be honest with you if we believe your dispute will cost more in legal fees than the case is worth. Every case is unique, but it's almost never worth it to hire an attorney for small claims court (less than $6,000 here in Ohio). In cases worth less than $40,000, you should be looking for an early settlement; otherwise legal fees will quickly exceed the value of the case.
  • In breach of contract cases, you need a professionally drafted contract. If the contract at issue in the case was not drafted by an actual attorney (and no, low cost websites and search engines don't count), then there are likely more problems with your case than you realize. Often, your legal budget will be better spent on improving your business practices going forward (and getting your contracts done by a professional) than on fighting the current battle. This is, unfortunately, an expensive lesson for entrepreneurs to learn. (And the same is true in business partnership disputes. You need a professionally drafted operating or partnership agreement long before a dispute arises.)
  • You need an end-goal ($) in mind. Many prospective clients tell us "it's not about the money; it's the principle of the matter." Unfortunately, our legal system is designed to put a dollar value on almost all civil cases. Clients who fight on "principle" are almost always disappointed with the outcome and almost always spend more in legal fees than the case was actually worth. There is no such thing as a "moral victory" in business litigation.
  • We mostly (but not always) defend clients (as opposed to representing plaintiffs). And the plaintiffs we do represent are typically existing or former clients. Again, this goes back to having a relationship with a business attorney before there is a problem. 
Initial consultations are complimentary, so it doesn't cost you anything to sit down and discuss your case with an experienced business litigator. Together, we can assess your case, develop a plan of action, and even determine a litigation budget.