A dependable and trustworthy attorney is an integral part of your optometry business team. An attorney can negotiate the best deal in an employment contract, navigate the process of purchasing a practice, or give legal advice when questions arise.
Optometrists are not all created equal, and neither are attorneys. Make sure you choose one who will help your practice succeed, not go bankrupt. Before you hire, ask these three questions:
- How do you bill? – Traditionally attorneys have billed by time. For every 1/6
of an hour, or 10 minutes, you would be billed a 6th of their hourly fee. This is not uncommon, but can potentially add up to thousands of dollars. Each email may cost you as much as $50–or more. Recently, attorneys appear to be looking at a different model of billing their clients. Similar to contractors who bid a project, numerous attorneys are looking to bid by the job for your business. The bid method limits how deeply the attorney can dig into your pocketbook. It also eliminates surprises and allows you to budget for this important service. This method appears to be a win-win. - What experience do you have in health care small business, specifically optometry? – Just because an attorney has experience working with labor contract negotiations does not necessarily mean he or she has a sufficient understanding of the optometry business and employment. I would recommend you search for an attorney beyond the borders of your local area. Don’t settle for the best local attorney, find the best fit for your needs and use technology to break down the limits of physical distance.
- Does your philosophy of practicing law parallel my philosophy of practicing optometry? – This question may sound insignificant, but it may be the most important. Your optometry practice is a reflection of you and how you care for patients. For example, you might stay late on a Friday night to treat Mrs. Smith’s symptoms of a retinal detachment. Because she seems upset and has no family to care for her, you promise you will meet her at the retinologist’s office the next morning. If you genuinely have a heart for your patients and will do whatever it takes to ensure they receive the best care, you will expect the same level of dedication and individual attention from your attorney. You will not be satisfied with an attorney who makes you go through three staff members before you actually get to talk to him or her.
Asking the right questions early on can eliminate the frustration and wasted expense of attempting to work with an attorney who is not a good fit. A successful optometrist must have a great team of professionals surrounding her. Having the wrong professionals is worse than not having them at all.
