Commercial law is a broad classification of law which encompasses public and private law, tax law, title law, etc. and is usually practiced in a civil court. Commercial law attorneys may or may not stay involved if criminal charges are filed against a business or against an employee. Just about every business will need commercial law lawyers at some point, though rarely will it be because something went wrong. Instead, those who provide commercial law services protect their clients and prevent them from ever needing a trial. These services include:
- A commercial law attorney can help incorporate a business or set up a partnership
- Commercial law lawyers draw up contracts which govern business-to-business transactions
- A commercial law lawyer can help enforce corporate laws
When needed, commercial law lawyers also help businesses protect their rights by writing cease and desist letters, forcing arbitration, and litigating against other companies. Also, because there is so much to do in a commercial law practice, commercial law careers can be lucrative and fairly secure. Every business needs someone who can practice commercial law and because more businesses open everyday, there is continued need for commercial law lawyers. If you are looking for someone who knows commercial law or a commercial law career, here a few steps to consider.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Find commercial legal practices online
If you do not know someone who practices commercial law and do not have a referral, there are several sites which list commercial law lawyers and how to contact them. These directories include the lawyer's name, firm, and commercial law specialties.
I recommend: Create a list of those who practice commercial law by using sites like
Martindale and
FindLaw. Be prepared to comparison shop, though. Commercial law is important, so make sure you trust your commercial law lawyer.
Look for information on commercial law practitioners online
Because finding a commercial law lawyer is an important decision, it makes sense to investigate them before hiring one. The web has services for rating and researching commercial law attorneys which can be helpful.
I recommend: Avvo and
LawyerRatingz.com both have services where you can research a lawyer, check if they have any reported misconduct, and read what past clients have said. Like all online services of this nature, the reviews should supplement, not supplant your own findings.
For those wanting a commercial law career, investigate law school
If you think that becoming a commercial law lawyer sounds like a fulfilling career, get set for law school. There are hundreds of law schools all over the world. Though it will be an expensive education, if you work hard, it can be a rewarding profession.
I recommend: Begin researching law schools. Find several that you like from this
list of world law schools or by searching the
American Bar Association's list.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- You should find a commercial law lawyer who knows the commercial law of all states in which you operate. This may require that you hire multiple lawyers.
- As noted above, commercial law encompasses a number of different specialties. This, too, may require that you hire several commercial law lawyers with different focuses in the different areas.
- Some schools have a better reputation for commercial law than others. If you are certain commercial law is for you, choose one of these schools.
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