How to Locate the Ideal Independent Contractor Lawyer Close to You
The Purpose of an Independent Contractor Lawyer
An independent contractor lawyer provides a specialized set of legal services for those who work for that are not employed by a specific company. These legal services may include interpreting and drafting client contracts and agreements, advising clients on tax issues, providing general business and employment law advice, and representing independent contractors in disputes with clients.
Compared to other types of lawyers, independent contractor lawyers differ significantly in their practice areas. For example, while almost any type of lawyer has the capacity to litigate a contract dispute on behalf of an independent contractor , the financial repercussions of that dispute – the loss of an entire client relationship, for instance – may have catastrophic consequences for an independent contractor’s livelihood. An independent contractor lawyer can be a legal ally in arguing for and attaining fair results.
When it comes to client contracts and agreements, an independent contractor lawyer can provide advice about the implications of contract terms, ensuring that an independent contractor is never out of legal union with a client. He or she may also be the person with whom an independent contractor negotiates a contract.
The Advantages of Hiring an Independent Contractor Lawyer Near You
The benefits of hiring a local independent contractor lawyer are numerous. Hiring someone who is familiar with the state where you provide services is paramount. Employment misclassification laws, as well various other employment laws and regulations, vary from state to state. For example, California’s wage and hour laws are much more favorable to workers, which makes it easier to show that a worker is misclassified in California than in states like Texas, Delaware, or Florida. Kevin Rose has been representing independent contractors from around the country, including California, Florida, Delaware, Texas, New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and many more. While some lawyers may claim to represent workers in all fifty states, the fact of the matter remains that we regularly review the laws of many states, and focus on the states where we have regular contact with employers.
Moreover, the very reality that Kevin Rose has only one mission makes it easier to relate to each client’s problem. He is always on your side, and always will be. While some lawyers consider independent contractors a "cash-cow" due to their desperate need for representation, Kevin Rose does what he does for the love of the fight. We review every case for free and encourage any worker who seeks a confidential review of his or her situation. This is rare in the industry, and helps you, the reader, get the information you need before commensurate with hiring hire a lawyer.
Being relatively local also makes it easier for Kevin Rose to personally meet with each client. This is because the majority of our clients need to meet with us when they are not working in the city where they live, thereby making it difficult for lawyers far away to meet with them. The focus on independent contractors will also be much more useful than a generalist who dabbles in a few things and does not focus on reviewing a particular issue or subject-matter of law. By focusing primarily on independent contractor law, Kevin Rose also knows more about your issue than a generalist.
Tips for Hiring the Top Independent Contractor Lawyer Close to You
When it comes to selecting the right independent contractor lawyer, experience and specialization are critical. Familiarity with the complexities and nuances of independent contractor law is key to achieving the best outcome in a given matter. Therefore, the lawyer you choose needs to have extensive experience not only in this specific area of law, but also with this type of client.
In addition to experience, you should evaluate a lawyer’s reputation and experience. Lawyers with predominantly common sense approaches to a variety of issues are typically more likely to result in an effective outcome than stubbornly aggressive lawyers who may only be interested in their fees. Also, listen to what a potential lawyer has already done for people or companies like yours, because a good track record goes a long way toward demonstrating a lawyer’s potential for success.
Keep in mind that no two matters are exactly the same, so the right lawyer will be one who has dealt with your specific type of issue before. Lawyers can often be known as specialists in certain areas, but this does not mean they can’t work effectively in other areas. The right lawyer for you will have the right amount of experience as well as the type of experience that fits perfectly with your particular requirement. Be very specific about what you need, and remember that strong communication between you and your independent contractor lawyer will go a long way toward a successful and productive relationship.
The consultation phase of the attorney-selection process provides a valuable opportunity to ask the tough questions and assess the lawyer’s capabilities. During the consultation, it is advisable to inquire about the following: No question is a bad question, and the better you communicate your needs the more likely you are to identify the right lawyer for you.
Typical Legal Matters Handled by an Independent Contractor Lawyer
In addition to tax concerns, independent contractors are confronted with all manner of business – and legal – issues. While most of these challenges are basic, they can nevertheless be quite serious. These include contract disputes, termination of relationships with one or more clients, issues arising from the simultaneous use of multiple clients or customers as well as disputes among clients and contractors. Legal counsel is essential when contracting with customers and clients to avoid pitfalls both in getting paid and in protecting one’s brand or business reputation.
In addition, disputes arising with contractors’ "own" employees may arise, such as allegations of violation of local , state or federal civil rights laws and/or discrimination or harassment in the work environment. Undoubtedly, sound written practices, policies and procedures will go a long way toward helping to minimize these types of situations, many of which require immediate and prompt action to appropriately address, document and resolve while complying with the law. Having an experienced independent contractor lawyer on your team can help you avoid, or at least minimize, potentially costly legal pitfalls that could involve courts, regulatory agencies or labor boards as well as actual damages, fines and penalties. Though it may be initially tempting to "wait it out" and see if a problem may be resolved without issue, this usually does not work out well.
How to Find Independent Contractor Lawyers Near Your Location
Law firms usually have sections of their web pages dedicated to the practice of employment law. If you are looking for an attorney with an employment law background that also handles independent contractor issues, you can usually search for them on the home page under "Practice Areas," or "Services." Of course, law firm websites vary in how the information is presented, so simply type in "independent contractor" into the firm’s search bar.
When searching with Google, search Engine Optimization (SEO) can be both a help and a hindrance in finding an independent contractor lawyer near you. What I recommend is searching for the terms "independent contractor lawyer," followed by the name of your city. That should yield some good results, as one can expect that law firms of all shapes and sizes will appear, and some may practice the law that you are looking for, but often SEO leads you to corporations or organizations that only cover "general issues," or have seemingly no prospects for a consultation. Use your judgement when engaging search results, however, and be sure to perform due diligence before having any payments submitted to third parties or agreeing to meet with someone.
So long as those parameters are satisfied, searching through the local bar association websites often brings up independent contractor lawyers near you. The Bar Association helps connect a lawyer who seeks to represent someone with a need for representation. Depending on the Bar Association, there can be free days for consultations, or fees on the initial consultation – check your local Bar Association’s website to find out more.
What to Do Before Meeting with Your Independent Contractor Lawyer for the First Time
If you have recently spoken with an independent contractor lawyer about your desire to schedule a consult, you may be wondering how best to prepare for the meeting. It is important that you take some time to gather relevant documents and compile the facts and details of your legal issues so that the attorney can best assist you during that first meeting.
Be sure to have any written materials that pertain to your case or the issues and facts surrounding your case, such as employment agreements, written policies, emails, text messages, or any other documents that you believe are relevant. This will allow the attorney to review these materials during your consult and formulate potential solutions to your problems. Without the documents, the attorney may not be able to provide any guidance at all or will provide a lot of general information, which can likely be found online researching the issues. The more information you have in this area, the better the attorney can help you.
It is also a good idea to summarize the facts and issues you would like to discuss in an outline , bullet points, or just a set of notes. If, after reading the lawyer’s website or speaking with the attorney about their practice, you have determined that the attorney is likely able to assist you in solving your issues, it is always best to be prepared for the consult. You want to be able to explain the facts in a concise and clear manner that allows the attorney to gain a full understanding of the situation. If the facts are not clear to you, the attorney will not be able to provide the level of assistance you need. This is also why you should schedule an initial consultation with the attorney as soon as possible and not wait until the problem has grown exponentially.
Finally, it is also a good idea to list any specific questions you might have about the particular issues you are dealing with. This will allow you to ask the right questions and ensure that you have covered all the bases. While you may have a lot of questions you want to ask during the consult, you may only be able to ask a few of them based on the answers to the initial question.