| a attorney can be a stressful process, but it | | | | provide legaladvice in return for an interest in your |
| doesn’t have to be. | | | | business. |
| Selecting a lawyer who is right for you is easier by | | | | How does the lawyer communicate with you? |
| asking yourself somesimple questions. | | | | Do you feel that your lawyer provides you with a full |
| Small or Large Firm? | | | | understanding of thelaw and your choices within the |
| Determining what size firm is right for you is quite | | | | law? Are you comfortable with the way heexplains |
| personal. Determinewhat you will require of your | | | | the law to you? |
| lawyer and the law firm. How involved do youwant | | | | How close is the firm’s office? |
| your lawyer? Will you want them to review each | | | | You will want a law firm who is either close to your |
| business contract? | | | | business or yourresidence. Because you pay your |
| Negotiate leases? Provide tax advice? | | | | lawyer by the hour, you will typically bedriving to their |
| Large firms GrahamTaylor Attorney have the | | | | office for meetings. For this reason, you will want |
| advantage of offering several services under a | | | | thelocation of their office to be convenient as you. |
| singleroof, while small firms can provide more | | | | How does the attorney respond to questions? |
| personalized service. In any case,consider the | | | | Does your potential attorney seem organized and |
| experience level of the attorneys that will actually | | | | taking notes? Do theyprovide you with additional |
| beassigned to your account. Consider also, the types | | | | resources that may help you understand |
| of connections yourlawyers have. If you are looking to | | | | yourquestion? Are you comfortable with the clarity of |
| grow your company, you may wish to findlawyers | | | | the answer you receive? |
| who move comfortably within the private equity and | | | | These questions are important because they are |
| venture capitalcommunities. If your business is family | | | | indicators about how yourlawyer will approach your |
| owned be sure to find a lawyer withsignificant tax | | | | questions throughout your case or relationshipwith the |
| experience. | | | | lawyer. |
| What about fees? | | | | When selecting a lawyer in Tiburon, California or |
| While fees will vary depending on the lawyer and the | | | | elsewhere you have manyqualified choices. However, |
| case,here are somethings to keep in mind. For | | | | few advisors have a 30-year internationalbusiness |
| one-time matters, many lawyers will consider aflat-fee, | | | | andlegal career, with the specializedknowledge of |
| but few will offer this as an option. Typically, flat fees | | | | Graham Taylor.Mr Taylor can guide you to the best |
| arepaid in advance, but consider asking for a hold | | | | choice foryour needs for a fixed retainer fee. |
| back of about 20% to bepaid after you are | | | | Known globally as an international business growth |
| satisfied with the work performed. Also, be sure to | | | | expert and pragmaticproblem solver, GrahamTaylor |
| askwhether the flat fee includes disbursements for | | | | Attorney uses his experience in law, investment |
| items such as filing fees. | | | | andinternational capital markets to provide sound, |
| For litigation or more complex cases, lawyers rarely | | | | strategic business andfinancial advice to his clients. At |
| offer flat-feepricing. It is difficult for even the most | | | | the heart of Mr. Taylor's expertise isa 30-year |
| experienced lawyers to knowexactly how much time | | | | foundation as a lawyer in New York, Sydney and San |
| a case will take. You may ask for a written | | | | Francisco,combined with his experience as an |
| estimateand a full understanding about circumstances | | | | international private equity and venturecapital investor |
| which might effect thisestimate; ask to be advised | | | | and board member. Taylor understands the unique |
| when situations arise that may increase theamount of | | | | challengesof entrepreneurial enterprises with |
| the original estimate. | | | | international goals and is an authorityon emerging |
| Retainers are common practice for lawyers. But, be | | | | growth companies, technology companies in particular. |
| sure to confirm that theretainer will be used for | | | | Using his background in international law and |
| expenses and not held indefinitely in escrow. | | | | investment, Mr. Taylor alsoadvises his clients on topics |
| Also, confirm that retainers are returned in the event | | | | such as wealth preservation, investmentefficiency, |
| that the casedoesn’t close. | | | | international holding companies and entities and |
| Questions to ask yourself before hiring a lawyer: | | | | investment riskminimization.As an adjunct to his |
| Does my lawyer like practicing law or business? | | | | consulting activities, Mr. Taylor is alsoa pioneer in |
| Lawyers occasionally like to be involved in business | | | | modern philanthropy, creating international charities |
| more than law. Becareful about hiring a lawyer who is | | | | whomirror venture capital disciplines in their micro |
| excessively eager to give you businessadvice. For the | | | | lending, ecology and newenergy activities. |
| same reason, be wary of lawyers who offer to | | | | |