Comments on: Web Worker 101: Do You Need an Attorney? http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/12/14/web-worker-101-do-you-need-an-attorney/ Rebooting the workforce Wed, 25 Nov 2009 04:31:19 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Ralph Poole http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/12/14/web-worker-101-do-you-need-an-attorney/#comment-258185 Ralph Poole Mon, 17 Dec 2007 01:25:25 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/12/14/web-worker-101-do-you-need-an-attorney/#comment-258185 my own experience is the lawyers are essential. I am usually working for much larger companies with more resources than I have. To get a job, you can allow yourself to think that a lawyer is not necessary and then find yourself with awkward conversations about the ownership of intellectual property, the time it will take to complete a job, and sometimes even fees. I have also had my delivery partners take advantage of my copyright on work that I did. A lawyers advice on how to sort these problems is required. my own experience is the lawyers are essential. I am usually working for much larger companies with more resources than I have. To get a job, you can allow yourself to think that a lawyer is not necessary and then find yourself with awkward conversations about the ownership of intellectual property, the time it will take to complete a job, and sometimes even fees. I have also had my delivery partners take advantage of my copyright on work that I did. A lawyers advice on how to sort these problems is required.

]]> By: Dustin Brewer http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/12/14/web-worker-101-do-you-need-an-attorney/#comment-257394 Dustin Brewer Sun, 16 Dec 2007 02:22:56 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/12/14/web-worker-101-do-you-need-an-attorney/#comment-257394 I have been doing freelance web design for about 3 years actively now and I haven't once needed or really even considered having legal assistance. Fortunately I am lucky though, I have friends in the field that have had to need lawyers send letters to clients. Which as simple as it sounds can really cut into your bottom line. I have been doing freelance web design for about 3 years actively now and I haven’t once needed or really even considered having legal assistance. Fortunately I am lucky though, I have friends in the field that have had to need lawyers send letters to clients. Which as simple as it sounds can really cut into your bottom line.

]]> By: Sal Cangeloso http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/12/14/web-worker-101-do-you-need-an-attorney/#comment-256452 Sal Cangeloso Sat, 15 Dec 2007 02:11:26 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/12/14/web-worker-101-do-you-need-an-attorney/#comment-256452 I'd say that if you are careful and you are careful about who you deal with (and how you deal with them) you can get away without an attorney for some time, but sooner or later you are going to need one. The same goes for an accountant. For example the difference between the contract you can piece together based on the contracts you have seen and one from a professional lawyer who is going to customize one for your business (say if you are a web developer setting up a new job) can be huge. The experience and, I hate to say it, clarity, they bring to a contract can be invaluable. Finding and paying for services like these are one of the hardest things about being a web worker (from what I have experienced), but the problems that can be avoided when something is done right can be invaluable. Avoiding an extended fight over a contract or an audit often makes the professional help well worth it. I’d say that if you are careful and you are careful about who you deal with (and how you deal with them) you can get away without an attorney for some time, but sooner or later you are going to need one. The same goes for an accountant.

For example the difference between the contract you can piece together based on the contracts you have seen and one from a professional lawyer who is going to customize one for your business (say if you are a web developer setting up a new job) can be huge. The experience and, I hate to say it, clarity, they bring to a contract can be invaluable.

Finding and paying for services like these are one of the hardest things about being a web worker (from what I have experienced), but the problems that can be avoided when something is done right can be invaluable. Avoiding an extended fight over a contract or an audit often makes the professional help well worth it.

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