If you run a bar or nightclub, you should know that it's a good idea to have a business lawyer. You might already realize this, and you might already have an attorney on retainer who you contact when you need help with legal matters. If you haven't already established some type of working relationship with one of these professionals, then now might be a good time for you to hire a business lawyer.
If you don't really understand why you need to hire an attorney right now, especially if you have not found yourself dealing with any types of legal issues, then you should consider the points below.
You Might Need Help Understanding the Law
There are many laws that you have to follow as a bar or nightclub owner. You have to make sure that you only serve patrons who are of legal drinking age, and you might be required to stop serving alcohol after a certain time of night. You might be aware of some of these laws, but you might not have a solid understanding of all of them. Since you will definitely want to make sure that you are operating your bar per all federal and local regulations, then you should consider consulting with a business attorney who understands your industry and who can help you understand all of these things.
There is the Possibility That You Could Face Lawsuits
Unfortunately, there is the possibility that your bar or nightclub could be sued at some point or another. For example, this could happen if a patron gets drunk at your bar and then gets into an accident on the drive home, or if someone gets into a fight in your establishment and gets seriously injured. If you already have a business lawyer representing your business, then you will know who to turn to if you do end up getting sued.
You May Need Help With Contracts
As a bar or nightclub owner, you might have to sign various contracts as a part of owning your business. You may have to sign a lease with the commercial landlord that you rent the property from, or you might need to sign a contract with a DJ or band that is going to be providing entertainment at your place of business. You may need to sign contracts with the vendors that bring beer and other items to your bar or nightclub. A good lawyer can look over these contracts before you sign them, which can help your business.
How safe is your business? While many company owners focus on things like bolstering doorways and protecting their products, it is easy to overlook the legal liabilities many places face. I started thinking more seriously a few years ago about making some changes, and a friend of mine mentioned how important it was to hire a legal team. I worked with the legal team to take care of everything from getting our signage figured out to identifying different places that we could cut back on, and it was really fascinating to see the powerful difference it made. This website is all about avoiding legal drama.