Embarking on a big new project as a business owner or executive can be a time of both great excitement and growth, as you set your eye to the future and all the opportunities our global economy offers. However, it goes without saying every big project comes with potentially big challenges, not least the legalities required to get it successfully off the ground. From expanding your business into promising new markets or acquiring a smaller competitor to bolster your domestic footprint, you’ll need the expert advice of experienced legal professionals to turn your vision into a reality. Here’s a few things to keep in mind when articulating your project with a lawyer, to achieve the best outcome possible — the right advice with minimal delay.

1. Understand your Why

The first and most important point before you even meet with a lawyer is to establish your why. Why are you embarking on this specific project with all its potential risks and challenges and ultimately, what do you hope to achieve as a result? Understanding your why will not only get you through the inevitable ups and downs but will also give your lawyer an end goal to keep in mind.

2. Outline the project scale and scope

This is where the finer details enter the picture. After clearly explaining your why — the reason for being with your lawyer, now is where attention must turn towards the actual outlines of your projects. What exactly are you attempting to achieve? What is the timeframe? What is your budget? Who are the stakeholders involved? What Jurisdictions are involved? Clearly explaining these details will help a professional ascertain whether or not your needs fit within their realm of expertise, especially a freelance expert who may be able to refer you to another professional with more specialist experience if necessary.

3. Avoid “legalese”, stick to clear language

When dealing with legal professionals, it can be tempting to use big words and complicated terms for which lawyers themselves are notorious! However, it’s best to leave the “legalese” to the experts and speak in simple language when articulating your project. The same advice obviously applies to your written documents as well. Above all, articulating a project successfully is all about clear communication and ensuring all parties involved, including your lawyer have a shared understanding of the task ahead.