In my experience, the best time to consult a lawyer is in the beginning.

For me, I felt it was important to get my business filing figured out (LLC) along with my contracts, terms and conditions, and privacy policy. 

While there are NOW many DIY (do-it-yourself) options on the market to help you get all your legal ducks in a row, I still strongly recommend you speak to a living and breathing attorney about your business, especially when it comes to contracts. 

Here's my recommendation on working with an attorney based on your online business stage:

BABY BUSINESS OWNER

Consult an attorney to help you with: 

• Contracts (client and contractors)
• Website Terms + Conditions
• Online Shop Terms + Conditions
• Privacy Policy

EMERGING BUSINESS OWNER

Consult an attorney to help you with: 

• Contracts (client and contractors)
• Website Terms + Conditions
• Online Shop Terms + Conditions
• Program and / or Product Terms + Conditions
• Privacy Policy
• Disclaimers (for your website and your programs)
• Formation of Business Entity (LLC, S-Corp, C-Corp, LTD)

ESTABLISHED BUSINESS OWNER

Consult an attorney to help you with:

• Contracts (client and contractors)
• Website Terms + Conditions
• Online Shop Terms + Conditions
• Program and / or Product Terms + Conditions
• Privacy Policy
• Disclaimers (for your website and your programs)
• Compliance of Business Entity (LLC, S-Corp, C-Corp, LTD)
• Trademark filing

*Please note: I am not an attorney nor am I giving you legal advice. 

Aliza recommends: Elizabeth Potts Weinstein - Small Business Attorney

Who is my attorney? I retain the services of Elizabeth Potts Weinstein.

Elizabeth is amazing. She's a big part of helping A Freaking Great Company stay great. She's helped me with filing my trademark paperwork, protecting my intellectual property, drafting contracts, and going over all the legal stuff you need to have on your website (like your terms + conditions and privacy policy). 

She offers "get your answer quick" 15-minute calls, startup plans, trademark filing and ongoing general counsel. 

*Please note: While I am a client of Elizabeth's and do highly recommend her - I get ZERO kickbacks or kittens for referring her.