The needs and challenges facing small businesses in Massachusetts and throughout the country have been at the top of the news lately. It is hard enough to get a good idea for a small business, start it up and then get to a level of profitability to maintain the business. The threat of litigation, however, can make things even harder.

As with most things, being prepared is perhaps the best way to position a company for legal challenges. There is a wide variety of potential legal issues that could arise in the course of running a small business, such as changes to the legal structure of the company, employment issues, contract disputes and even intellectual property needs, among other possibilities. Sometimes, these issues can be solved through direct out-of-court negotiation. However, in some cases, litigation is inevitable.

While anticipating the costs of litigation or the duration of a legal case may seem impossible, the small businesses that plan for these potential needs and make decision-makers aware of potential bumps in the road ahead of time are oftentimes better suited to weather the storm. Familiarity with basic legal concepts can help.