Question: How many lawyers does it take to screw in a light bulb?

Answer: How many can you afford?

I wanted to start with a joke because the law is no laughing matter. Law is a serious business conducted by serious professionals who have endured many years at college to ensure that they are fully qualified to explain the problems that you will inevitably face in whatever part of your life has brought you into their presence.

For me, the topic of the law meant a chance to sit down with Steven Shapiro of New Leaf Legal to discuss how having access to a lawyer can be a benefit to anyone in the startup community — even the single-person team.

On our television screens and in the movie theaters, lawyers have been portrayed as bloodthirsty ambulance chasers with little (if any) moral judgment who charge a fortune for inexplicable advice that confuses rather than clarifies. Lawyers are luxury and necessity wrapped in a sharp suit with expensive sunglasses.

But is this really fair?

It couldn’t possibly be: There are nearly 2 million lawyers in the United States. Seriously.

I had no idea what I was in for. (more…)