Starting a Business in College? Hire an Attorney

It is not uncommon for an entrepreneur’s career to begin before they graduate college. In fact, some of the biggest brands today started in a dorm. College entrepreneurs are the future of the United States economy. But, just because they have big ideas doesn’t necessarily mean they are prepared for everything that comes with starting a new business. Entrepreneurs who are starting a new venture should consider hiring a business attorney in Houston first. Not only will that ensure that they get off to the best start possible, but it could help prevent costly litigation in the future.

What Can a Business Attorney Help Young Entrepreneurs With?

A business attorney in Houston can provide young entrepreneurs with legal advice and even assist them with the start of their business. Some things an attorney can do that most college students cannot include:

·         Forming the Business Right – There are many ways a young entrepreneur can take their business, but if they do not start it right, they could fail before they graduate. An attorney can help an entrepreneur pick the right business structure, file the right documents and even establish contracts between partners.

·         Documentation – Most college students are not up-to-date on what needs to be written down and what doesn’t. An attorney can prevent any oral agreements from harming the business later by drafting professional contracts, employment agreements and helping the entrepreneur negotiate any investment terms.

·         Non-Disclosure Agreements – Most entrepreneurs that start their business ventures in college have an idea that they don’t want anyone else to use. A business attorney in Houston can help establish a non-disclosure agreement that protects their intellectual property and trade secrets.

·         Non-Compete Agreements – If for some reason an entrepreneur wants to bring on employees or needs assistance with their company, an attorney can also draft a non-compete agreement. This agreement prevents employees and third parties from taking trade secrets and starting their own competing business using the same idea.

Bottom line, a young entrepreneur needs the assistance of a business attorney. An experienced attorney can protect their talent, trade secrets and even help them establish a solid infrastructure before they graduate.



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Does Your Partnership Agreement Need a Notary or Witness?

Any time you are signing an agreement, you may wonder if you need a witness or notary to make that agreement official. A partnership agreement is no different. In general, you do not need a notary or witness, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have one either. There are good reasons why both of these things should occur during the partnership agreement phase. And, if you are ever unsure, consult a partnership dispute lawyer for assistance drafting your agreement.

Why Notarize a Contract?

Notaries play their role in agreements. They can help make sure your agreement is legally enforceable, even if they are not required to make a contract legal. If there is ever a dispute between you and your partners, having a notarized contract may be your negotiating point. Notaries help verify the identities of each party signing the agreement, which makes it difficult for a party to later on deny that it was their signature on the agreement.

Again, having a notary isn’t necessary, but it could help if a dispute does arise in the future. Consult with your attorney as to whether or not a notary is in the best interest of your contract agreement.

Why Have Witnesses?

Just like a notary, a witness isn’t legally required to make your agreement valid. But, some types of contracts should be witnessed by a third party to make them legally binding. Your attorney can advise you as to whether or not a witness will help make your contract more enforceable, but a witness is never a bad idea. The witness just has to be a neutral third party that can affirm both parties were present and signed the agreement.

How to Decide?

Regardless of whether or not you want a witness or notary, you should have an attorney that is experienced in partnership agreements. They can draft agreements and negotiate terms so that the contract is fair to you. Also, if your attorney is worried about a dispute in the future, they may take additional steps to protect you and your business if a dispute does arise. Regardless, an experienced partnership dispute lawyer is a valuable asset for your partnership.

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