New Topic
Post Reply
Follow Topic
Hello Startup Nation,
I`ve been mulling over an idea recently and I`d like to see what the small business owners and entrepreneurs think of it.
I work for an established law firm. I have a passion for helping entrepreneurs and working with startup businesses. The problem is that most entrepreneurs and startup business owners are "do-it-yourself"-ers and don`t necessarily think that they need or can afford an attorney to assist them in formation.
I do believe that in certain circumstances, hiring an attorney is superfluous and unneeded. However, in many cases, having an attorney involved in the start-up phase of a business can prove invaluable.
In order to provide value to entrepreneurs and bring them in line with the traditional legal services model, I have come up with a set "menu" of legal services that can be offered for a flat rate. My plan is to include the following services:
- An initial conference with the entrepreneurer to get to know each other and the business idea;
- Formation of legal entity along with obtaining all necessary tax ID numbers and registrations and provision of an organizational minute book;
- Creation of entity governing document if more than one founder is involved;
- A review of the business` current and prospective intellectual property and advice on the benefits of formalizing business IP;
- A review of the business` contracts and customization of one form contract to be used in the business operations
- A review of the business` local licensing and zoning requirements and advice on obtaining those applicable;
- A review of the legal threats and opportunities of the business and a memo advising on such.
I really want this to be both a provision of legal services to entrepreneurs and a learning experience. Thus, for example, I would review a business` intellectual property and advise on the ability of the business to obtain a trademark, but I would also teach the entrepreneur why it might be valuable to do so and instruct the entrepreneur how to obtain the trademark by him or herself if they so chose.
I would like to price this service at somehwere between $2000 and $2500, not including applicable filing fees.
So what does the startup nation think of this idea? Is this something that you, as an entrepreneur, would have interest in? Are there services included that you think might not be needed? Are there services that you would like to see offered that aren`t? Is the price too high? Too low?
I`d love to hear your ideas...
-------------------------
Clint A. Costa, Esq., CPA (Licensed in Illinois only)
SNSFE, P.C.
http://www.snsfe-law.com
