I poured my blood, sweat and life savings into my restaurant. Dumbest thing I've ever done

Corporate lawyer here. Fairly expensive one, at that.

I talk with entrepreneurs on the phone, for free, all the time.

If lawyers are charging you for consults - tell them to take a hike. You've found a bozo. There are thousands upon thousands of reputable lawyers - and not single person operations, but serious, heavy-hitting lawyers at major law firms - who are happy to talk with you for an hour without even thinking of running the clock. It is how we generate business. Hell, tons of firms even have programs that are specifically for startups and small businesses, not to mention the clinics that do this sort of thing, for free, at law schools all across the nation, which are supervised by seasoned practitioners and law professors.

Call up a lawyer first. If he wants to start charging you immediately, you have found the wrong lawyer.

/r/business Thread Parent Link - torontolife.com