I find that having people present that are not in any capacity directly involved with the day-to-day goings on tends to drag meetings out. I prefer to have them short and sweet, it's hard enough to have a meeting with more than 3 people present having a person there asking questions without the required background. People will start weighing their words in the presence of a lawyer.

When I need a lawyer I'll select one specifically based on their track record in that particular field.

Even if he's doing it 'for free' if there is legal work to flow out from that (and everybody will defer to the lawyer because of his great expertise) then you'll end up paying for it anyway. Smart marketing on their part.

You need a lawyer when:

- you're incorporating

- you make a major move (investment, layoffs, policy changes, exits, buyouts)

- when suing or being sued

Outside of that they're like a 5th wheel on a car.

Also, when I go to see a lawyer I make sure that I'm completely prepared, have a basic brief + all supporting documents. This will help a lot in keeping their hours down (and it really adds up, a simple out-of-court settlement will still cost you between 5 and 10 thousand bucks, going to court can easily go in to the 10's of thousands, especially when there are appeals).