On this occasion, we will not exclusively address the business issue. Rather, it seemed appropriate to write about the characteristics of the scope of action of an international lawyer, in contrast to an ordinary business lawyer.
Lawyers have a fundamental role in modern society. They are in charge of advising citizens in legal terms to offer a viable resolution to conflict within a previously established legal framework.
Good legal advice from a lawyer helps in the agreed solution of a dispute, which translates into more stable and productive commercial, personal or institutional relationships.
A legal controversy can be a big problem for a citizen. However, having a lawyer to intercede will give him, even in the worst case, what he needs to reduce a problem to a legal agreement or litigation.
The legal field has very specified areas. Of course, a lawyer is not capable of having all the necessary knowledge to cover everything related to legal matters. For this reason, there are different types of lawyers specialized in certain areas who are in charge of solving disputes of a particular nature.
During this opportunity, we will focus on business lawyers and international lawyers, two key figures in current law that are useful for advice in different kinds of situations related to business and international politics.
International lawyers
Lawyers, in general, are governed by their own local jurisdictions, and international lawyers are no exception. However, international lawyers have a distinctive trait: they have knowledge of international laws to mediate problems between international organizations, transnational companies, and others.
Within the criminal context, international lawyers are in charge of representing citizens in the extradition process. To do this, they need extensive knowledge of different treaties that regulate those particular situations.
On the other hand, in the civil sphere, international lawyers are in charge of mediating aspects of a citizen, a company, or an institution that transcends its own borders. In this case, the process is marked by the figure of extraterritoriality, which is part of the specialty of a lawyer of this type.
Do I need an international lawyer?
The answer to that question depends, to a large extent, on the nature of your problem. As has been explained in detail already, this type of lawyer deals with problems that go beyond the territory of their state; that is, they are capable of mediating with other states to resolve any dispute or to conduct a process.
So, organizations and NGOs need international lawyers in their legal team to process everything related to other countries. On the other hand, companies that have operations in different countries also need a lawyer of this type.
Also, you need a lawyer when you are in the middle of a procedure that involves documents issued in foreign territory. In general, the situations that merit an international law firm are different.
How to choose a good international lawyer
There are several aspects that must be taken into account when choosing the ideal international lawyer.
Good legal education
The first consideration is the education and academic training of the international business lawyer. Although this does not guarantee a great performance, it is a sign of professionalism and preparation that will give you more confidence when presenting your case.
Legal experience
Lawyers with good experience in their work will handle of all the procedures better and know which way to go to get solutions. Of course, the experience required varies, depending on the complexity of your case. In other words, if it is a simple case, an international business lawyer with good knowledge is enough, while, in a complicated case, a lawyer with more experience is necessary.
Budget
The budget that is managed for the attorney’s fees is a crucial factor when looking for a legal professional. Of course, you should look for the best option based on your financial availability.
Business lawyer
A business lawyer is in charge of advising commercial entities or companies with the intention of keeping them updated with everything related to the law.
A responsible and honest company must take care to comply with the legal guidelines issued by the corresponding authorities. Normally, the laws change over time, or corresponding procedures might be unknown.
Within this context, the figure of the business lawyer is very important to expedite the entire legal issue and not incur breaches of the law, due to a matter of ignorance, or simply a lack of time.
Does my small business need a business lawyer?
Many people who are entering the business world decide not to hire a business lawyer, either because the finances of their company does not allow them to, or they do not understand the importance of having a lawyer of this type.
But, the reality is that every company must comply with the corresponding regulations. And the best way to do that is with a professional in the legal field. So, as far as possible, one of the priorities for any company is to have a good business lawyer who will take care of all the legal procedures.
What will the business lawyer do for my company?
The main function of a business lawyer within a company is giving legal advice. A legal professional would be responsible for keeping the company up-to-date with all the legal issues, and would help to adapt it to the changes that are presented.
Of course, the lawyer offers help with the issue of hiring, with the intention of saving money, as well as maintaining the company’s fiscal policies in the correct condition, to avoid incurring any offense that implies sanctions.
Also, the lawyer would be in charge of defending the interests of the company in a legal dispute of any kind, even in litigation. Thus, with experience and accreditation, the lawyer is capable of signing layoffs, negotiating in situations that warrant it and assuming claims involving the company.