When it comes to running a business, especially one that’s growing exponentially, you will have to go through the legalities of organizing your establishment. It’s tedious, but it’s also necessary since you need to avoid penalties that can put your business at risk.

That being said, you will have to spend time making sure your business complies with federal and state laws, especially if you’re transitioning to corporate status. It can get costly, but you can always make use of the best practices in corporate governance. For sure, one of these best practices involves finding the right attorney who can help draft agreements and review documents that can have a significant effect on your bottom line.

Obviously, you would opt for someone who has the necessary skills and experience. Then again, you still have to know how you can find one that’s right for the needs of your business. Here’s a guide to help you out.

1. Get referrals from your partners

First off, the best way you can find for the right lawyer is to ask someone — preferably a business partner — for a list of suggestions. Since you basically have no way of telling if a lawyer is capable of providing quality service, you might as well get references from trusted sources. That way, you won’t have to spend too much time vetting a lawyer before onboarding. So, use your professional network to hunt for reliable attorneys with an impressive track record.

2. Search online using specific keywords

No doubt, the internet has everything you need to find the right legal professionals for your business. Using search engines such as Google, you can search for law firms in your area. Make sure to specify your area so that you get a good list of firms that specialize in local laws and ordinances. If you’re based in British Columbia, Canada for instance, you might stumble upon McQuarrie business lawyers that know corporate laws exclusive to the province.

3. Check the local bar association

Aside from search engines, it also helps to find a list of licensed lawyers in your area. For this, you can ask your local bar association for a list of firms you might want to check out. This should also contain details about each attorney, such as the number of cases won as well as client complaints if there are any. That way, you can make comparisons and whittle down your list until you find a firm you can trust.

4. Use legal directories

Aside from search engines and local bar associations, you also have a good chance of finding the right corporate lawyers using a legal directory. Sites such as BestLawyers.com contain listings of attorneys you can work with. The site is preferable for larger corporate entities, but if you’re just starting out as an LLC, you can visit Legal Zoom for attorneys that specialize in small businesses.

Corporate governance is a messy aspect of the bigger realm of corporate law. But you can always navigate around the legal technicalities when you hire the right business attorney using the tips above.