Here are the key legal topics that small business owners need to be aware of:
- Business Formation: Understanding the various types of business entities and the pros and cons of each when forming a business.
- Intellectual Property: Learn about trademarks, copyrights, patents, and other forms of intellectual property protection.
- Contract Basics: Understand the fundamentals of contract law, including how to draft, review, and enforce binding agreements.
- Employee Rights: Learn about laws related to hiring and managing employees, including labor laws, employment discrimination, and compensation.
- Tax Obligations: Understand federal income tax requirements for small businesses as well as state or local taxes that may apply.
- Regulatory Compliance: Become aware of the various regulations that may apply to your business, such as environmental laws or industry-specific rules.
- Insurance Requirements: Research what types of insurance you’ll need to protect your business and its owners from liability.
- Dispute Resolution: Educate yourself on different methods for resolving business disputes, such as negotiation or litigation.
- Business Financing: Understand the basics of small business financing, including how to qualify for a loan and manage your debt.
Our Top Picks for Legal Resources
Easy to use: Legal Zoom
Best features: Rocket Lawyer
Most affordable: Legal Templates
Legal Services & Business Filing
- Law 4 Small Business: L4SB offers a wide array of services for small- to medium-sized businesses. From formations, to contracts, to dispute resolution, to company maintenance, and much more.
- FindLaw: FindLaw is an extensive legal resource that provides free legal information and advice. Their website covers a variety of topics, including business law, intellectual property, employment law, and more. They also offer services to help you establish your business as an LLC, Corporation, Nonprofit, and more.
- Rocket Lawyer: Make and sign documents, form your business, or get legal advice.
- Nolo: Online DIY forms, documents, and software to help you file your own legal documents. They offer products to help you create an LLC, form a nonprofit, establish intellectual property, and more. They also help you find a lawyer in your local area.
- Legal Zoom: LegalZoom is one of the most popular legal services providers in the United States. Their website provides information on dozens of legal topics, from business formation to trademarks, copyrights, patents, and more. They also offer services like document reviews, consultations with lawyers, and access to a library of legal forms.
- Legal Shield: Legal Shield is a popular provider of legal service plans for individuals and businesses. They offer plans that cover business formation, contract drafting, dispute resolution, and more.
- Inc Authority: Inc Authority is a full-service business formation and compliance service provider. They offer services to help you form an LLC, Corporation, Non-Profit, or other entity types. They also provide access to legal forms, tax advice, and more.
Legal Information
- FindLaw: FindLaw is an extensive legal resource that provides free legal information and advice. Their website covers a variety of topics, including business law, intellectual property, employment law, and more. They also offer services to help you establish your business as an LLC, Corporation, Nonprofit, and more.
- Rocket Lawyer: Make and sign documents, form your business, or get legal advice.
- Small Business Administration: The Small Business Administration (SBA) is a great resource for small business owners. The SBA offers advice on all aspects of running a business, from forming and financing to marketing and managing employees. Their website also provides guidance on finding funds, identifying markets, and more.
- Legal Zoom: LegalZoom is one of the most popular legal services providers in the United States. Their website provides information on dozens of legal topics, from business formation to trademarks, copyrights, patents, and more. They also offer services like document reviews, consultations with lawyers, and access to a library of legal forms.
- LegalMatch: LegalMatch is an online service that matches you with a local lawyer who specializes in the area of law you need help with. You can search their database of attorneys by practice area and geographic location. They also provide resources to help you understand the legal system and your rights.
- Local Chamber of Commerce: Most local chambers of commerce have a business resource center that provides advice on legal topics such as contracts, employee rights, and regulatory compliance. They may also offer free or discounted legal services to members.
- State Bar Association: Each state has its own bar association that offers information and resources for small businesses. Their website typically includes detailed information on specific laws, forms, and regulations pertaining to the state. It may also provide access to legal services offered by members of the organization.
- Government Agencies: State and federal government agencies are great resources for business owners looking for information on laws, regulations, taxes, and other legal topics. Their websites often provide detailed information as well as links to additional resources.
- Local Secretary of State: The secretary of state’s office in your state is a valuable resource for business owners. They typically offer information on starting and registering a business, filing reports, and other requirements. In some states, they may also provide access to legal resources and forms.
- Lawyers.com: Lawyers.com is an online directory of attorneys that provides detailed information on their practice areas and experience. You can search for lawyers by location or specialty and read client reviews to help you make an informed decision. They also have an “Ask a Lawyer” section where you can get quick questions answered.
- Justia: Justia offers an “Ask a Lawyer” section that allows you to get free answers from lawyers in your area for basic legal questions on a variety of topics, including family law, employment law, criminal law, and more.
- Law Guru: Ask free legal questions and have them answered by attorneys.
- U.S. Department of Justice: The Department of Justice provides a wide range of resources for small business owners, including information on consumer protection laws, labor regulations, antitrust consumer protection actions, and more.
Legal Forms
- Eversign: Legally binding electronic signatures at work, at home, or on the go.
- Legal Templates: Create free legal documents and contracts online in minutes.
- Genie AI: Full customizable and free-to-use legal templates for your business. They also have the option to have an AI lawyer or an actual lawyer review your contracts. (They are based in England.)
- Rocket Lawyer: Make and sign documents, form your business, or get legal advice.
- Nolo: Online DIY forms, documents, and software to help you file your own legal documents. They offer products to help you create an LLC, form a nonprofit, establish intellectual property, and more. They also help you find a lawyer in your local area.
Law Help Interactive: LawHelp Interactive is a website that helps you fill out legal documents for free. It’s simple: they ask you questions and use your answers to complete the documents you need, no lawyer necessary.