Columbus Startup Attorneys & Lawyers

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Paul S.

Paul Spitz

125 reviews
With an MBA in marketing from Indiana University, Paul Spitz offers business experience and legal expertise to companies ranging from startups to midsize organizations. He specializes in the areas of technology, marketing, e-commerce, and digital media. Unlike attorneys at large law firms, Mr. Spitz is able to provide affordable services in counseling, representation, and negotiation.
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Zach S.

Zach Splain

29 reviews
Zachary is a graduate of Case Western Reserve School of Law and has a bachelor's degree in history from the University of Dayton. Zachary has experience with complex and... read more
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Dina C.

Dina Cole

4 reviews
Dina Cole is an attorney at law with almost a decade of experience. She is licensed to practice law in Ohio and obtained her degree in law from the Capital University Law School. She is experienced in labor and employment law, as well as real estate law. Dina often works with legal cases that involve drafting, reviewing and negotiating commercial contracts. She has been serving as a contracts manager at Honeywell International since September 2017.
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Mark W.

Mark Weiker

2 reviews
Mark Weiker is licensed to practice both in Ohio and in federal courts. Because he loves being a lawyer, Mark launched his own practice, hoping to provide real solutions for regular people. He takes pride in advocating for his clients in all of their business, employment, and school law needs. Frequently, he serves as business counsel for employers and also represents traditional public schools.
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Matthew M.

Matthew Massey

2 reviews
An entrepreneurial and solutions-focused legal advisor with 12+years of in-house experience, including 2+ years as lead commercial counsel for VC-backed, high growth startu... read more
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Chris S.

Chris Shea

Christopher Shea has enjoyed a successful career in commercial litigation and government service, holding a number of notable positions with the Ohio state government including the Office of the Ohio Secretary of State and the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. Shea now focuses his practice on providing counsel for individuals in business transactions, risk management, and litigation.
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Andrew W.

Andrew Wecker

Attorney Andrew Wecker is committed to helping his clients with all of their business and real estate needs. His specific experience lies within the leasing and selling of medical, commercial, residential, and industrial real estate. In addition to his real estate experience, he is able to help businesses and individuals draft legal contracts and enforce them when needed. With over 20 years of experience practicing law, you can count on Attorney Wecker to help you when it comes to buying and selling a property.
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Joseph J.

Joseph Jones

Ohio-based attorney Joseph Jones advises businesses, healthcare providers, and individuals on a range of issues. He has expertise in business law as well as legal matters related to healthcare and long-term planning. Currently, he works as an Account Manager at Thomson Reuters Westlaw. Previously, he was at Premier Health Partners. Joseph holds a J.D. from the University of Toledo College of Law.
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Mike J.

Mike Jones

Mike Jones is exceptionally skilled in legal cases related to mergers and acquisitions. He often works with startup companies and entrepreneurs. Mike is also experienced in working with commercial contracts. Mike is licensed to practice law in Ohio. He has a J.D. degree in law, which he obtained after he graduated from the Capital University Law School. He is a self-employed attorney that manages his own legal firm, Ohio Legal Solutions.
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Matthew E. K.

Matthew E. King

Matthew E. King is a recently licensed attorney who has been practicing law in Ohio for the past two years. He obtained his legal degree from the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. Matthew primarily specializes in dealing with legal cases that involve real estate law. He is also experienced in drafting, negotiating and reviewing commercial contracts. Matthew has been serving as a counselor at Rockbridge since August 2016.
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Why Should My Company Hire a Startup Lawyer?

When you're starting a new company, all the details involved from beginning to end may overwhelm you. At the same time, you're probably concerned about expenses. Many new businesses forego hiring an attorney during the early stages of starting the company because they worry that they cost too much. Instead, you should realize that having an attorney on retainer during these initial phases of getting your company off the ground could help you avoid pitfalls and save both money and time due to costly mistakes.

Before long, your new company will expand and grow. A top startup attorney who works with you from the beginning will help you work through challenges that arise.

Governmental regulations – You don't want to accidentally run afoul of the government because you weren't aware of a change in rules or regulations. Not only do you have to consider federal laws, but state and local laws will apply to different aspects of your business as well. A startup attorney will help you understand these legal questions as your company evolves.

Forming a business entity – Your startup attorney will be your resource when you decide how to structure your company. You have many options to consider, and a lawyer can help you decide which one makes the most sense in your particular circumstance. For example, your company might best be incorporated as a limited liability corporation (LLC). In other cases, an S-corporation could be the proper choice.

Hiring employees – When you start to bring in new people to work for your business, you'll want to keep several considerations in mind. During the interview process, some questions can get you in legal trouble or bring about a lawsuit. Once you hire an employee, you might have them sign a contract, and you'll almost certainly need an employee handbook and code of conduct. Your startup attorney will have familiarity with these issues and can help you through the process.

Patent law and intellectual property – Lawyers specialize in patent law and intellectual property rights because the complexities of legal language can be challenging. As you develop new technology, you need to know that a competitor cannot come in and legally steal your knowledge and ideas. Your lawyer will make sure to file patent applications on your behalf and advise you in situations where you could infringe on another piece of intellectual property.

How Do I Find the Best Startup Attorney in Columbus, Ohio?

Start by asking your business contacts to give you a couple of referrals for a top startup attorney. Word-of-mouth is powerful, and if an associate you admire has a trusted lawyer, this is a good starting point. Set up a meeting to see if the attorney is a good fit for your business. Then, notice whether they match up with your communication style. If you prefer to work by phone, do they email you instead? The best startup attorneys will understand how their clients prefer to exchange information.

As you talk with potential attorney hires, you should ask them about their experience with companies like yours. Does the startup attorney have experience with technology that is relevant to your business? You'll want a top lawyer who has worked with clients in your industry. They'll bring invaluable knowledge to your company as you get the business off the ground. 

When deciding which startup attorney to hire in Columbus, Ohio, make sure that you have an understanding of the fees the lawyer will charge you. Some attorneys may surprise you with hidden costs. You'll want to have a candid discussion and ask questions to clarify what you'll be paying. Columbus is a mid-sized city, so you can probably expect to spend $350-$800 per hour, though firms who assign junior attorneys to do the work may be less expensive.

The primary reason you need an attorney is to help your company in cases of conflict resolution, so finding a lawyer who communicates details efficiently and accessibly must be a priority. Sometimes, you may disagree with your attorney on the proper approach to a conflict. If they tell you to go to trial when you feel that settling a case makes the most sense, that may be a red flag. You must ask questions during the hiring process to see how the lawyer has dealt with similar situations for past clients.

Which Questions Do I Ask a Startup Lawyer?

  • Do you have a solid understanding of my industry?
  • Have you worked with startups that are in their early stages of development?
  • Which of your lawyers will be working with my company?
  • How is your fee structure set up?
  • How long have you been practicing this type of law?
  • What is your area of focus?
  • What is your experience?
  • What is your experience with technology?
  • Are you a full-service law firm?
  • Have you passed the bar in the state of Ohio?
  • Has any client registered a complaint against you or your firm?
  • What's your current workload?
  • Have you ever handled a trademark or patent?
  • Can you offer any references?
  • Have you ever handled incorporation in the state of Ohio?

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Legal Services Offered by Our On-Demand Columbus Startup Attorneys

On UpCounsel, you can find and connect with top-rated Columbus startup attorneys & lawyers that provide a range of startup law services for startups and entrepreneurs that are starting a business. Any of the top-rated Columbus startup lawyers you connect with will be available to help with a variety of your startup law related legal needs on-demand or on an ongoing basis in the city of Columbus, OH.

From primarily dealing with things like business formation, contracts, leases, equity financing, securities, and intellectual property protection, the Columbus startup lawyers on UpCounsel can help you with a variety of specialized and general startup law related legal matters. No matter what type of startup law needs you have, you can easily hire an experienced Columbus startup lawyer on UpCounsel to help you today.

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"Every startup needs to know about UpCounsel. We found great attorneys at great prices and were able to focus our resources on improving our business instead of paying legal bills."

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"Before UpCounsel it was hard for us to find the right lawyer with the right expertise for our business. UpCounsel solves those problems by being more affordable and helping us find the right lawyer in no time."

Tristan Pollock
Co-founder & COO

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