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Help! How to Find an Attorney

Before mountaineers brave the treacherous trek up Mt. Everest they enlist the aid of local Sherpa. They’re the experienced guides who help the climbers survive the punishing slopes and deep crevasses.

When the office terrain turns bleak because of personnel problems, you may need a lawyer to function as your Sherpa. If you want to fire someone you suspect of stealing or feel a manager needs sexual-harassment training, you should consult an attorney.

The best way to find a lawyer is the same way to find any good expert: referrals. Ask other business owners for recommendations. Steven D. Strauss, the author of The Small Business Bible: Everything you need to know to succeed in your small business, suggests that you ask the referring client probing questions. Inquire if the lawyer got good results, if the attorney was accessible, if the fees were reasonable, and who does the work, the attorney or less-experienced associates. When you feel you’ve run out of options, or are unsure of the legality of your options, it’s good to have a good lawyer on your conflict-resolution team.