The Role of the Corporate Attorney: 4 Important Jobs

A corporate attorney doesn’t simple do 'one thing.' Unlike, say, a trial lawyer, the job description is ever changing, according to the deal that needs to be done and the client who has hired them. Of course, in limited terms, the same could be said for just about every lawyer. But the difference in this case is the many roles a lawyer may be asked to play in service of a client. Whether it is a multi-national firm or a relatively small business, there are a number of jobs the lawyer may be asked to perform. Here are four of the most common.

Structure
A corporate attorney will often be employed to help structure a new corporation. Putting together a corporation under the law takes more than just filling out some paperwork. There are ways to do it that not only ensure legal issues are squared away, but also to avoid certain tax liabilities and create an opportunity for growth and development. To do this the right way, a business owner must consult a top legal mind who knows just how to structure such an organization for optimal results.

Filing
There are few filings a business must do that would necessarily have to go through a lawyer. The legal system is structured in such a way that anyone should be able to do the filings. In theory, this is great. In practice, it would be difficult to find the first large scale business owner who did not consult a corporate attorney to navigate what can be a ridiculously complex maze of paperwork and regulations.

Legalities
Corporate law is very complex and there are a million different laws and regulations that a company must adhere to both in its formation and its practice. If your business is of a certain size, having a corporate attorney by your side is not a privilege - it is a must. You have to make sure you not only stay on the right side of anti-trust laws, but also make sure any deals you make are legal in your jurisdiction.

Lawsuits
Once a company reaches a certain size, lawsuits are very nearly an inevitability. Very few large companies can claim to have never been sued or to have never taken another business or person to court. The legal issues involved in this level of business are too complex, the money at stake is too great, and the lines between what is legal and what isn’t often too thin to have it any other way. Business partners, stockholders, and other interested parties must make sure they are protected should a lawsuit be lodged against them.