I’m Aaron Hall, a business attorney in Minneapolis. I represent business owners and their companies across the full range of business legal matters. Here is who I work with, how I handle matters, and how my fees work, so you can decide whether I’m the right fit.
Who I work with
I work with business owners, CEOs, and other decision-makers at established, growing Minnesota companies, generally those with up to about 250 employees. That includes companies based elsewhere that have a Minnesota connection through their sales, employees, or contractors.
Most of my clients want to understand their situation and their options, and they treat legal decisions as part of running the business.
I’m selective about the matters I take, and I refer many of the inquiries I receive to other attorneys, because I keep my practice focused on matters where I can add real value. If your matter isn’t a good fit for me, I would rather tell you that and point you toward someone better suited.
What I help with
I handle the full range of business legal matters, so most clients don’t need to assemble a roster of separate attorneys for routine work:
- Business law: entity formation, governance, and general counsel
- Employment law: policies and handbooks, workforce issues, severance, non-competes
- Intellectual property: trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets
- Contracts: drafting, analysis, and negotiation
- Business litigation and disputes
- Business tax planning and compliance
My focus is Minnesota business law. When a matter calls for an attorney with a narrower focus, I maintain referral relationships and will make an introduction.
How I work
You work directly with me. I’m a solo attorney. The person you talk to is the person doing the work, not a rotating team of associates.
Your goals drive the strategy. I listen to what you’re trying to accomplish, analyze your circumstances, explain your rights and options, and align the legal strategy with your goals.
Flat fees, agreed in advance. For most work (analysis, drafting, letters, and filings) I quote a single flat fee before I begin, so you have cost certainty. Work that requires real-time attorney presence, such as meetings, negotiations, hearings, and depositions, is billed separately and quoted before it is scheduled. For flat fees, you don’t pay for a running clock.
Scope is confirmed in writing. Before I start, I confirm what I’m analyzing or drafting, the documents in scope, and the governing law. If the matter grows or changes, I quote the additional work before continuing, so there are no surprises.
I equip you to decide. My job is to help you understand your situation and your options well enough to make a confident decision, not to keep you dependent on a lawyer for every question.
How my fees work
I’m not the lowest-cost option, and I don’t try to be. My fees reflect an experienced attorney handling your matter directly, without the overhead structure of a large firm. When the stakes are high, sloppy legal work is expensive; I put a premium on precision.
A few things are consistent across my work:
- Most engagements are flat fees, agreed before work begins. Flat-fee engagements typically start at $1,500 and scale with the complexity and stakes of the matter; more involved analyses and deals can run into the five figures, and litigation into the six figures. I provide quotes for specific work before you commit.
- Fees are paid in full in advance. I don’t run installment plans or finance a fee over time. If timing is a concern, you’re welcome to use your own credit card and carry the balance on your terms.
- If cost is the real obstacle, I’ll say so and offer a path. If your budget calls for it, I’m glad to introduce you to a capable attorney with lower rates.
If I’m not the right fit
Helping people find the right attorney is part of my practice. If what you need falls outside business law, or another provider can serve you better for a particular task, I’ll tell you plainly. Finding the right lawyer is hard: most people don’t know which area of law their matter falls under, or how to weigh a lawyer’s reputation and qualifications. I ask questions to understand what you need, and I point you to someone who fits.
The first step
If you think we might be a fit, tell me about your situation through my contact page or by email. I’ll let you know whether it’s something I can help with, and if so, I’ll explain the work and the fee before any engagement begins. Many client relationships start with a single, well-defined matter; ongoing general counsel work can grow from there.
More about my background and credentials is on my bio page.