What do I need to know as a client when I’m starting a small business?

(12:08) Well one of the first things that you need to understand is how to set up your business. What type of a business are you going to have, in the sense of, how are you going to run your business? Are you going to operate it as what’s called a sole proprietorship, which is basically yourself as an individual. Do you need to form a corporation? Do you need to form a partnership? Are you in business with someone else? Do you need to form a limited liability company? Which is a good way to protect yourself if you’re going into a business. So, the first thing that you need to know is, as far as guidance goes with a lawyer, is how best do I set up the business operation. What is the entity that is going to run the business? And that’s where you need a lawyer’s help. (12:45) -Bill

How can a business lawyer help me?

(22:13) Well, everybody who owns a business, their primary concern other than probably the personal relationships, is the ongoing success of that business. And their primary focus is going to be making their margins, and keeping money flowing in. They’re really not concerned about underlying legalities or, you know, they’re not thinking about issues that may come up or disputes that may come up, so the way that I perceive business law is we’re an assistant, we are somebody to help these people focus on their main concern which is keeping the doors open, keeping the lights on, rather than being too concerned about being shut down because of a lawsuit, because of some regulation, or some other issue of noncompliance. (23:03) -Colin

How can Trevett Cristo help in any stage of the process (new business, established business, etc)?

(23:24) Sure, we deal with startups all the time, somebody who wants to open a restaurant, somebody who wants to start a consulting firm, somebody who wants to open up a salon. We deal with all sorts of businesses all the time. In terms of starting up a business, we also deal with all sorts of situations, whether it’s a sole proprietorship, a partnership, a corporation, anything that they want. We specifically tailor our response to their needs. (23:54) -Colin

Why should I choose Trevett Cristo?

(14:37) you may have all sorts of different issues come to you in running a business, and so you wanna make sure that you have a firm that is well-rounded, that can support you in every different area that your business might be in. Um, and you wanna make sure that you have a quarterback at that firm. If Bill La Forte is your quarterback, I’m gonna make sure that you can reach me whenever you need me even if it’s not the particular area that I’m the expert in, I’m gonna go find the right person who can provide you that expertise. Uh, Trevett Cristo has that expertise, we are a well-rounded, general practice law firm, and we can handle any kind of matter that comes before your business. Uh, and as I said I may not be the one who’s gonna answer the question on an employee matter, but I’m gonna find the right individual in our firm who’s gonna do it. We have those individuals here and we will be timely and responsive to you as a business so that you can succeed. (15:33) -Bill