How to Choose the Best Lawyer to Support Your Business Challenges: A Referral Expert’s Guide

When you're facing a serious business issue — whethe's a dispute with a supplier, an overdue contract review, a staff termination, or preparing for an acquisition—the biggest challenge often isn't deciding whether to call a lawyer. It's deciding which lawyer to call.

That’s where I come in.

I don’t give legal advice. I run a referral and legal matchmaking service, connecting business owners and decision-makers with the right lawyer for their unique situation. Having worked across industries for decades, I’ve seen first-hand how the wrong legal fit can cost time, money, and sanity.

Here’s how to avoid that fate—and how to find a lawyer who will truly support your business through thick and thin.

1. Be Clear on the Business Problem You’re Solving

Before you even start looking for a lawyer, get specific about your issue. Lawyers specialise just like doctors do—you wouldn’t go to a podiatrist for a heart murmur, and you shouldn’t go to a property lawyer for an employment law issue.

Ask yourself:

• Are you trying to enforce a contract?

• Are you navigating a lease dispute?

• Do you need help restructuring your company?

• Are you planning to franchise or sell?

The clearer you are, the better your chances of being matched with the right legal expertise—not just someone who’s “done a bit of everything.”

2. Don’t Fall for Big Logos or Fancy Titles

Big firms can be helpful for big matters. But many small and medium businesses don’t need a silk tie, they need rolled-up sleeves.

In my role, I’ve worked with sole practitioners, boutique firms, and tier-one firms—and size doesn’t determine skill. What matters is:

• Whether the lawyer knows your industry

• Whether they’ve solved similar problems before

• Whether they can explain things clearly (no jargon, no lectures)

Great lawyers aren’t show ponies—they’re problem solvers.

3. Ask the Right Questions Before You Engage

When I introduce clients to lawyers, I always encourage a discovery call first. This isn’t about grilling the lawyer—it’s about feeling them out.

Here are three golden questions to ask:

• “What experience do you have with matters like this?”

• “How do you normally work with clients like me—fixed fees, hourly, retainer?”

• “What would the first few steps look like if we engaged you?”

You’ll learn a lot from the way they respond—are they calm and confident, or vague and distracted?

4. Look for Lawyers Who Work Well With Others (Including You)

The law isn't just about legal arguments—it's about relationships, both with you and with the people on the other side of the table.

I refer clients to lawyers who:

• Call back promptly

• Work collaboratively with accountants, brokers and other advisers

• Can deliver tough advice with a human touch

If a lawyer treats you like a transaction, your matter will become one too.

5. Think Beyond the Immediate Problem

Smart business owners don’t just solve the problem in front of them—they build their advisory bench.

When I refer a lawyer, I’m not just matching technical skills. I’m looking at:

• Whether they understand your growth plans

• Whether they’ll spot risks you haven’t thought of

• Whether they’ll be a long-term ally for your business journey

The best lawyers won’t just patch a hole. They’ll help you futureproof the ship.

6. Don’t Go It Alone—Use a Trusted Referral Partner

Here’s the reality: lawyers don’t advertise their weaknesses. Most websites sound the same. Google reviews can be hit and miss. And just because someone helped your mate’s divorce doesn’t mean they can handle your franchise expansion.

That’s why our legal referral and matchmaking service exists.

We sit between the client and the legal market—unconflicted, independent, and strategic. We’re not here to push a particular firm. We’re here to understand your needs, draw on our deep network, and recommend the lawyer who is best suited to solve the issue and guide your business forward.

And we don’t disappear after the intro—we stay in touch to make sure the relationship delivers.

My Final Word: Don’t Settle for the First Lawyer You Find

If you remember one thing from this article, let it be this: the right lawyer makes all the difference. Not just in the outcome of your matter, but in how confident you feel tackling the next challenge that comes your way.

If you're unsure where to start—or if you've had a bad experience with a lawyer before—reach out. My role is to listen, understand, and connect you with someone who will treat your business as seriously as you do.

Let’s take the guesswork out of getting legal help.