Startup Advice
We provide counsel to founders and startup companies as well as small to mid-sized businesses regarding typical legal issues confronted by early-stage companies, including:
- Entity selection and formation
- Founders agreements
- Stock plans and option grants
- Friends and family round investments
- Venture capital financings
- Employment and consulting agreements
- NDAs and confidentiality agreements
- Securities and Investments
We regularly advise entrepreneurs starting a new company on entity formation and capital structure, and aid in negotiations with angels and other early stage investors in early stage investments and venture capital firms in later stages. We help guide allocation of share ownership among founders and other participants, and assist with the development of stock or other equity-based compensation.
For individual angels and other investors contemplating early stage investments, we help in structuring the investments, negotiating and drafting the requisite documentation and completing the necessary filings. We perform legal due diligence investigations, help assess the benefits and liabilities of a proposed investment, and inquire into the relevant aspects of the company’s past, present, and future. If the due diligence involves areas beyond our expertise, such as complicated tax, securities or employee benefits matters, we can call on the experienced counsel to guide you.
Mergers, Acquisitions and Sales
We represent clients of all sizes that seek to acquire or sell companies or their assets. We help clients determine the optimal deal structure, provide counsel on business and legal risks, and negotiate and draft deal documents, including those relating to necessary financing arrangements.
Due Diligence Investigations
We perform legal due diligence on behalf of acquiring entities, and assist companies preparing to be acquired or merged with the conduct of the acquiror's investigations. We have years of experience on both sides of M&A transactions, and are able to offer advice and insight into the business aspects of diligence as well. If the due diligence involves areas beyond our expertise, such as complicated tax, regulatory or employee benefits matters, we can call on the experienced counsel to assist you.
