Business Lawyer and Corporate Lawyer: What is the difference?

By Brad Nakase, Attorney

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3. Do I Need a Business Lawyer or a Corporate Lawyer?

Many people think that a corporate lawyer and a business lawyer are the same things. However, they perform a unique role in the running of a business. The differences between a business lawyer and a corporate lawyer are as follows:

What Does a Business Lawyer Do?

A business lawyer provides general legal advice for all areas of a business. They are handy for small business or first-time business owners who need guidance in the bureaucracy of their business. Generally, a business attorney will advise throughout all stages of the business, ensuring the business complies with all laws and regulations. They can help create and enforce policies and contracts and handle lawsuits, which may include:

Writing a business plan for investors.
Researches copyright and trademark-free logos or business names.
Drafting partnership agreements.
Advising on taxes and IRS forms.
Dealing with complaints or investigations by federal entities.
Any lawsuits your business is directly or indirectly involved in.

What Does a Corporate Lawyer Do?

A corporate lawyer or corporation attorney usually represents larger businesses, and their role is generally limited to a transactional lawyer or a litigator. A transactional lawyer will help the company avoid litigation, write contracts, and assist with the legal parts of starting a company. A litigator will represent a company in a lawsuit, either defending or suing.

A corporate lawyer will be a seasoned professional who works in the legal department of a business and, therefore, will consult with different departments. They will ensure all business decisions are sound and comply with laws, which may include:

Business incorporation or advice on business incorporation.
Creating legally valid contracts and ensuring all parties understand their contracted roles and responsibilities.
Advice on investor rights, acquisitions, and changes to the corporate structure.

Do I Need a Business Lawyer or a Corporate Lawyer?

This will depend on the size of your business. Business lawyers often help smaller businesses in areas such as employment or taxes. Corporate lawyers will help with breaches of corporate law or selling on an international market.

The easiest way to differentiate between corporate lawyers and business lawyers is that business law focuses on selling and buying goods. Corporate law, on the other hand, focuses on a corporation’s validity, activity, and operation.

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