When Should a Blogger Hire a Lawyer?

By Danielle Liss
Updated: June 16, 2016
Categories:

When we get sick, we consult Dr. Google. So it's no surprise that in the age of information, we also consult the internet when we have a legal issue. (Should we call it Google, Esq?)

Online legal information can be a great resource. It's easier than ever to form an entity on your state's Secretary of State website or to buy a contract template. We fully believe in the power of DIY legal, as you can see in our store, but it's not always going to be enough to help with every legal issue that you encounter.

There are times when researching your issue online won't be enough. Here are a few situations when bloggers will likely want to consider hiring a lawyer:

Contracts

If there is one maxim that we preach over and over, it's to get it in writing. We fully believe that you should get a contract whenever money is changing hands (and in some other circumstances too, like an unpaid internship, for example). You can get great DIY legal forms online (hint: in the Businessese Store), but there will still be times when you should involve a lawyer.

  1. Before you sign a contract, you should thoroughly review it and make sure you fully understand what it says. If you don't understand any aspect of the contract, consult with your lawyer.
  2. If you are negotiating a contract and you are unsure how to phrase your demands, your lawyer will be able to help.
  3. If you purchased a DIY legal form online and you need assistance making modifications, you can ask a lawyer to help you create the terms you need.

Entity Formation

Forming an entity for your business, like a corporation or an LLC, can be a relatively simple process with your state's Secretary of State website; however, if you are unsure what type of entity is best for your business, a lawyer will be able to help you to determine the best option. And if the thought of working through the Articles of Formation is something you don't want to tackle, your lawyer will also be able to help you file the documents and create your Operating Agreement.

Complex Business Matters

A lawyer will be able to help you through the details of matters like bringing on a partner, hiring a contractor or employee, and buying or selling a business.

Intellectual Property

Intellectual property, commonly referred to as IP, can be a complicated area of law to DIY. If you are looking to file a trademark or patent application, a lawyer who specializes in IP will be able to help you navigate the process.

Litigation

Depending on your jurisdiction, small claims may be easily accessible without a lawyer. However, if you are involved in a larger lawsuit, we strongly recommend consulting with a lawyer to ensure that you are protecting your rights.

As we've stated many times on the site, the owner of Businessese is a lawyer, but Businessese is not a law firm. Danielle does, however, have a law firm that specializes in the needs of bloggers, small businesses and online entrepreneurs, Liss Legal. You can contact Liss Legal directly through the form on the website. 

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