As the CEO of your small business, legal matters are bound to arise. And eventually, it’s inevitable that you will have to deal with an attorney. Here is my guide to making it as effortless as possible. 

My first piece of advice: give your lawyer the full story. To represent you successfully, your attorney needs to know the good and the bad—so don’t skimp on the details, no matter what. Revealing your weaknesses will help your lawyer prepare a better defense, and ultimately help you win your case. What’s better than that?

Everyone knows that dealing with an attorney isn’t always a day at the park. In fact, it can be quite a production. To help simplify the process, consider preparing a packet of documents related to your case—emails, contracts, etc.—before you meet with your lawyer. Remember: time is money. 

If I could summarize my advice on working with an attorney in one word, it would be this: communicate. Don’t keep your lawyer in the dark. Give him or her a heads up on upcoming deadlines, and inform them on what they should prioritize. In other words, help your attorney help you. 

Bottom line? When you hire an attorney, you are looking for one thing: results. But unless you communicate your goals from the beginning, your lawyer can’t help you achieve them. For tips on how to relay your goals, and more advice on what makes a good relationship with any professional, read my column in Legal Edge, “My Lawyer, My Friend,” published in the October 2011 issue of SmartCEO magazine. 

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