Choosing a lawyer for your business in China can be no easy task. It’s one of the most important things you will do for your company since you will want the proper legal representation in any of the circumstances met when opening a business in China. Our Chinese attorneys recommend you bear in mind the following aspects when hiring a law firm for your company in China.
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For a starting point, you can ask for a recommendation from your acquaintances that might happen to know a good lawyer. This way you can find out how he will handle the case: if he is experienced and has won the majority of his cases or if the cost for his legal services was acceptable. Moreover, you should also ask if the lawyer is communicative and easy to get on with, given the fact that you will rely on him, legally speaking. You can also conduct a search on the internet and see the most rated lawyers or you look for Chinese state’s bar association which licenses attorneys in the country. It’s important that you also search for the lawyer’s credentials when choosing an attorney for your company in China.
Our law firm in China recommends finding a lawyer that speaks both Chinese and English or other internationally spoken language because it can be more comfortable and effective for you (as a foreign client), but on the other hand, it’s important that he argues quickly and in court in his native language. Of course, this is what really matters, the way the attorney performs in court. On the other way, a non-Chinese English speaker might have difficulties in understanding Chinese way of thinking or culture. You should keep in mind these things when looking for a lawyer for your company and also remember that it’s advisable you choose a Chinese legal representative for the juridical processes to be handled in China.
If you found a couple of lawyers who seem to have handled similar cases to yours or who identify with your business vision, don’t hesitate to evaluate them based on your needs. Schedule a consultation in order to discuss your business needs and to see if you are comfortable with them. You must know that on a first consultation (that will be much more as an interview) you might not receive legal advice, but only after you’ve hired an attorney. Moreover, at this meeting, you should both carefully listen and ask details about lawyer’s education and experience, the way his services will be paid and any other relevant aspects you need to address.
Once you’ve decided on an attorney, you must know that feeling comfortable with him is as important as his experience. Our Chinese lawyers say that the chosen legal representative for your business should fit well with your personality, communicate easily and regularly with you, listen to your concerns and offer solutions depending strictly on your needs. In addition, he must be easy to reach, respond and return your calls promptly and keep you up to date on the status of your case.
Given these steps on how to choose a lawyer for your company in China, if you feel like found the right lawyer, be sure you will build a valuable relationship based on trust and open communication. Please feel free to contact our Chinese attorneys for legal assistance or other information you’re interested in.