Any Lawyers/Attorneys in the room?

    • Gold Top Dog

    Any Lawyers/Attorneys in the room?

    I want to consult with an attorney on some things for the agility club I've started and don't know who to look for.  There are all kinds of attorneys in the phone books.  Obviously a Criminal Defense or Divorce Attorney is not what I need, but is a Business and Corporate Law?  Thought I'd see if we had any as part of iDog. 

    • Gold Top Dog

    Hi, I have worked with a lawyer for 5 years.  Depending on the question I can ask her for you.

    I know, also, that Callie works with a lawyer

    • Gold Top Dog

    Call your local directory assistance and find the local bar association (usually it will be the "______ County Bar Association";) -- then call them and ask who does *transactional law* or a general civil practice. 

     Michelle and I could answer small questions but law is SO state/county sensitive you really need someone very local.  Generally you will probably get the most bang for your buck if you call them and tell them you have a few questions and could you simply buy half an hour of their time.  Unless you need specific documents drafted or letters done, that will usually get you a pretty cheap consult and the attorney respects the fact that you aren't just trying to take him for "free advice".  Often you can have a tough time getting an attorney to even answer your questions if they think you're leading up to "can you do it for free?  We're a club!"  But if you, up front, say "I just want to buy half an hour of your time" you may not even have to GO there, and the attorney will actually often give you more than your value because they appreciate you didn't just try to get free advice.

    • Gold Top Dog

     The things I want advice on are the following: (I like bullets, clears things up)

    1. I don't know what kind of attorney to go to or call for help with these things.

    2. We want to incorporate or S Corp or something, but i don't know which one would be the best thing for us.

    3.  We want to rent some land that has no road access. I need help in drafting some way to contract with them so that they are not liable for any dog related things (either I am or the club is) and also put in a simple gravel drive off the road to it.

    Those are the three big things that I need help with in order to proceed with the club.  Aside from a new back and neck so that I can actually do all this, but that's another thread.  So any advice on what kind of attorney to look for?  The local bar association is a good idea too.
     

    • Gold Top Dog

    Exactly what I told you -- transactional/contracts -- probably general civil and someone who does at least SOME real estate (which is typical transactional usually) -- you don't want a 'big' attorney - you want someone who does small local stuff -- not a big company.  Rather you want probably a sole proprietor.  but "general civil" and "transactional/real estate" are the words you want to ask for.