Does a small development company need a lawyer

[scud]

I've managed to deal with situations for many years without bad clients or the need for legal advice,but a few mates are adamant that it's good to have a relationship with a lawyer, just in case a client goes pear shaped

So what's best practice here, should I find / secure register with a good lawyer , or wait until some **** hits the fan.
Also, suppose I'd need web/media style advice, so does this rule out the old boys?

 

[Fudzy]

If you're signing NDAs it's always a good idea.

 

[Frikkenator]

Lawyers are ridiculously expensive, and it doesn't sound like you need one at the moment, so I'd say no.

You can always get one when it is needed, but more importantly, as a small development company, your clients will more than likely have considerably more money than you, and thus going the legal route when things go bad will probably cost you way more than just cutting your losses.

As for the NDAs, they are only worth as much money as you can throw at it, which again I assume is not a lot. It's good to have them, but don't rely on them alone.

I've started 2 companies, and have had many bad clients and you just deal with it on a case by case basis as best you can. The only time we've had lawyers involved was for assistance with some internal corporate law matters.

 

[pratlou]

Lawyers are ridiculously expensive, and it doesn't sound like you need one at the moment, so I'd say no.

You can always get one when it is needed, but more importantly, as a small development company, your clients will more than likely have considerably more money than you, and thus going the legal route when things go bad will probably cost you way more than just cutting your losses.

As for the NDAs, they are only worth as much money as you can throw at it, which again I assume is not a lot. It's good to have them, but don't rely on them alone.

I've started 2 companies, and have had many bad clients and you just deal with it on a case by case basis as best you can. The only time we've had lawyers involved was for assistance with some internal corporate law matters.

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