Special Report

Firm commitment

By Kim Carrasquillo

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Bill Kleinman, partner, corporate practice group, Haynes and Boone LLP

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Paying a lawyer may be the last thing you want to think about. But when it comes to keeping your company afloat, seeking counsel can be your life vest.

During troubled times, you need an adviser who understands your business and your leadership personality. While many CEOs see trips to the lawyer’s office in terms of dollar signs, keeping ahead of the legal curve will pay off in the long run.

“A good lawyer, thinking about long-term relationships, should be sympathetic to the client’s need to control cost and maximize the value of legal service,” says Bill Kleinman, partner in the corporate practice group, Haynes and Boone LLP.

Your attorney can be a valuable member of your cabinet who provides strategic advice to boost your bottom line. By viewing your lawyer as a business partner — and his or her fee as an investment in your company — you can capitalize on your lawyer’s legal training and experience.