Should You Hire a Business Lawyer to Help You through the Pandemic?

With business owners facing new challenges every day when it comes to keeping things balanced and running smoothly, it can be tough to decide how funds should be allocated, or how best to protect your company and employees during such an uncertain time. Right now, many business owners aren’t sure where the next six months will take them, and that can be stressful. Having an outside ally can help. If you’ve been thinking about hiring an attorney to help get you through the pandemic but aren’t sure whether it’s right for you, here are points to consider.

Protect your assets

Because the economy is so unstable, it can be difficult to formulate a business plan for the rest of the year that will ensure that you’re able to keep your business above water and protect your employees, as well as your company’s assets. A business lawyer can help you make the right decisions about your funds and can guide you in the best direction for your future.

Keep operations running smoothly

Many businesses are facing big questions as to when they’ll receive shipments of materials or retail items, especially since so many companies have had to shut down or slow production during the pandemic. A lawyer can help you keep your operations running smoothly by communicating to distributors and suppliers on your behalf, allowing you to keep things running smoothly. Supply-chain disruptions could lead to issues with customers, so it may be in your best interest to have legal counsel.

Protect your business against litigation

Deciding when to reopen and how to do it safely can be stressful, as everyone wants to keep both the interests of the company and the employees in mind. This is an area that may require some legal advice to ensure that everyone is satisfied, especially until any temporary liability protection legislation is enacted.¹  Read the latest guidelines set by the CDC for information on how to keep your employees safe as you slowly make your way back to a new normal. ² This may involve going over sanitation procedures, providing masks and gloves, and/or arranging the business schedule for optimum efficiency and safety.

Get help with your legal agreements

With so many things frequently changing in the business world due to Covid-19, it’s important to ensure that your company stays on top of any contracts or other legal documents. A business lawyer can help with that and can protect you should things become unsustainable with another business.³ Keep in mind that it pays to be a bit flexible right now, as most businesses are still trying to find their footing.

Employment healthcare considerations

The right lawyer can help you figure out exactly what healthcare responsibilities your company has and how to navigate any related issues.⁴ If you have employees who don’t want to come back to work out of fear of virus exposure, there are legal ramifications to dismissing them; you may need to provide an adequate, alternative way for them to perform their job.

It’s also worth noting that if you require your employees to be screened for illness before they are allowed to report for work, you’ll need to keep any paperwork pertaining to their health confidential. This is another area where a lawyer can be helpful.

Hiring a lawyer may seem like a big step, but if you feel you need a little guidance to get through this time, it's a smart move. Talk to law firms to get an idea of what their expertise is, and read client reviews to help you find the best representative for your needs.

1. https://www.cnbc.com/2020/06/12/on-main-street-a-push-for-protection-from-coronavirus-related-lawsuits.html

2. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-business-response.html

3. https://www.noobpreneur.com/2020/06/04/why-you-need-a-business-lawyer-during-this-pandemic/

4. https://www.sidley.com/en/insights/newsupdates/2020/03/covid-19-us-employment-law-update-and-guidance-for-employers