lawyer for startups who represent

by Robin Bergstrom 3 min read

Full Answer

Why do startups need a lawyer?

Why do startups need lawyers?

  • Incorporation. ...
  • Government policies. ...
  • VC and funding agreements. ...
  • Co-founder agreements. ...
  • Lease. ...
  • Hiring. ...
  • “The secret to successful hiring is this: look for the people who want to change the world.” –Marc Benioff, Salesforce CEO. ...
  • Trademarks, copyrights and IPR. ...
  • Website policies. ...
  • Contracts. ...

Which are some of the law firms for startups?

  • Lease Space
  • Administrative Staff Expense
  • Marketing Overhead
  • Other Operating Expense
  • Knowledge and Expertise

Do startups Really need Lawyers?

Startups need lawyers when lawyers provide the best, value-driven solution for specific problems the startup is facing. This will change from one startup to another. Here are some variables: Company formation: In most cases, you don't need a lawyer to set up a company, and it will be overkill to use one.

Why it's important for startups to hire a lawyer?

Hiring the right lawyer for your startup is an important decision because your lawyer will help you with almost every step along the way. Your lawyer will guide you through some of your highest highs (raising your first round of funding) and your lowest lows (firing your first employee).

What is a good startup lawyer?

What is a free initial consultation?

Do lawyers know other lawyers?

About this website

image

What do startups need from lawyers?

Startups need lawyers when lawyers provide the best, value-driven solution for specific problems the startup is facing. This will change from one startup to another. Here are some variables: Company formation: In most cases, you don't need a lawyer to set up a company, and it will be overkill to use one.

What are multiple reasons you need a lawyer for a startup?

For this and other important reasons, you most likely will need a lawyer for your startup.Contracts. Most businesses execute contracts for space, services, and supplies. ... Registering, Licensing, and Permits. ... Business Form. ... Multi-State Business. ... Strict Conformity. ... Capital. ... Variety of Entities. ... Autonomy.More items...•

Should I speak to a lawyer before starting a business?

But meeting with a small business attorney before starting a business can be one of the smartest moves you'll ever make. A business lawyer can explain how to start a business and answer your business law questions. But more importantly, a lawyer can identify the risks you face and help you minimize them.

What is the advantage of hiring a local attorney for a startup?

Working locally—at home—is a big advantage for an attorney. When you describe your business's situation, a local attorney can see how all the pieces fit together before the process even starts. Local attorneys know the judges, the court clerks, and how litigation is generally conducted in that particular area.

How can lawyers help Startups?

Legal help for Startups in their business formation and to cover statutory legal compliances results in laying a solid base and hassle-free operations which provides entrepreneurs/ founders/ promoters to focus on the more vital needs such as hiring, funding and finance and other processes to enable growth.

Why does an entrepreneur need a lawyer?

Lawyers have connections and a clientele base like you Lawyers will offer insights that may prove very useful in the long run to a start-up. In addition to offering legal services, they can be a marketing tool for your business as they speak of your business to potential clients.

What's the difference between attorney and lawyer?

Attorney vs Lawyer: Comparing Definitions Lawyers are people who have gone to law school and often may have taken and passed the bar exam. Attorney has French origins, and stems from a word meaning to act on the behalf of others. The term attorney is an abbreviated form of the formal title 'attorney at law'.

Who should I talk to about starting a business?

5 People You Should Talk With Before Starting a BusinessYour spouse. One of the first people you should talk with about this new venture is your spouse. ... A lawyer. Starting a business involves a few legal hoops, so you'll want to talk with a lawyer. ... An accountant and trusted advisor. ... A business coach or mentor. ... A banker.

What does a business lawyer do?

A business lawyer is responsible for assisting corporations with legal matters. Their role is to ensure everything done at the company is legal and above board. From mergers and acquisitions to incorporations and bankruptcies, every legal aspect related to the company's business activity will be under your purview.

Is it better to hire a local attorney?

Local lawyers can more effectively judge the value of your case or the likelihood of success. A local attorney knows and can fairly judge the temperament in the community and the likelihood of a fair and reasonable verdict being returned in your particular matter.

How do start my own business?

Conduct market research. Market research will tell you if there's an opportunity to turn your idea into a successful business. ... Write your business plan. ... Fund your business. ... Pick your business location. ... Choose a business structure. ... Choose your business name. ... Register your business. ... Get federal and state tax IDs.More items...

How do you approach a lawyer?

Tips for Talking to an AttorneyAlways be as honest and candid as possible about the facts of your case. ... Ask questions if you don't understand something that your attorney mentions or explains to you.Approach an attorney about your case as soon as you think you may need one.More items...•

Top 10 Startup Lawyers NEAR ME on UpCounsel | 2022

Find the top Startup Lawyers on UpCounsel near you and receive custom quotes in 24 hours. Get your legal work done right and save on legal fees. Trusted by Airbnb, Reddit, and 15,000+ other companies, UpCounsel lawyers have an average of 14+ years of experience and come from law schools such as Harvard Law and Yale Law.

Best Small Business Lawyer Near Me - June 2022: Find Nearby Small ...

Find the best Small Business Lawyer near you on Yelp - see all Small Business Lawyer open now.Explore other popular Professional Services near you from over 7 million businesses with over 142 million reviews and opinions from Yelpers.

Top 10 Business Lawyers NEAR ME on UpCounsel | 2022

Find the top Business Lawyers on UpCounsel near you and receive custom quotes in 24 hours. Get your legal work done right and save on legal fees. Trusted by Airbnb, Reddit, and 15,000+ other companies, UpCounsel lawyers have an average of 14+ years of experience and come from law schools such as Harvard Law and Yale Law.

Best Small Business Attorney Near Me - Yelp

Find the best Small Business Attorney near you on Yelp - see all Small Business Attorney open now.Explore other popular Professional Services near you from over 7 million businesses with over 142 million reviews and opinions from Yelpers.

ACCELERATE YOUR STARTUP LAW KNOWLEDGE!

Startup Law doesn’t have to be a confusing maze. The practical knowledge in "Acceleration: What All Entrepreneurs Must Know About Startup Law" will help you make the smart decisions to protect your startup and its future. Available in ebook and hardcover.

EXPLORE THE BOOK

Find out why, when, and where to incorporate your startup and what documents are needed to properly form a startup

PRAISE FOR ACCELERATION

Unlike most lawyers, Ryan doesn't tell entrepreneurs all the things they cannot do; instead he provides succinct, battle-tested advice on how to achieve your startup's unique business objectives. Beg, borrow, buy or steal this book today, and thank me next week.

The Author

His international client roster is comprised of emerging growth companies and venture capital funds and has. Ryan holds a BA and an MA in economics from USC and a Juris Doctor degree from UC Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco.

What is a good startup lawyer?

A good startup lawyer is more than a lawyer. They are also a close advisor and confidante as you’re trying to grow your business. Here are some of the important steps that startup lawyers can help you with: Deciding how to structure your new business.

What is a free initial consultation?

Some lawyers offer a free initial consultation during which you can introduce your business and evaluate if the lawyer is a good fit for you. During the consultation, the lawyer should give you an overview of how they plan to help your business.

Do lawyers know other lawyers?

Good lawyers typically know other good lawyers. Just be sure to make it clear that you need a lawyer who is experienced in helping new businesses get off the ground. Some lawyers identify themselves as business attorneys, but they may be more familiar advising mature businesses.

What does Beser say about career path?

Beser agrees that these jobs come with a lot of ambiguity. “ Don’t ask me what your career path will look like, ” he says. “Growth opportunities for our team come from the objectives of the business – our team will grow professionally by helping the business succeed.” Beser also warns that “ when you’re at a firm, and think you’d like to work at a startup, you need to take stock in your personal comfort with risk. A high risk tolerance is a prerequisite for anyone entering this environment as young companies evolve quickly, every decision has a myriad of impacts, and your career trajectory may not be as linear as expected.”

Do corporate lawyers prefer business?

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a corporate lawyer secretly—or, in many cases, not so secretly—would prefer a career in business. Any recruiter who speaks regularly with corporate/transactional associates at big law firms invariably hears that their eventual goal is to move over to the business side, or at least to get closer to the business. But what many of these attorneys fail to realize is that there are ways to continue practicing law while still getting to flex those business muscles as a key member of the top-level strategic team at fast-paced, growing companies. Now, does that sound like something you might be interested in?

Is a startup a risky endeavor?

Startups are inherently risky endeavors. As Whistler Managing Director Kathleen Mon sees it: “ Startups are disruptors. If you want that life, you have to be about that life. If you want to work in this space, you can't expect to follow the typical legal career path.

What are some examples of small business attorneys?

Other examples of tasks handled by small business attorneys include: Assisting with negotiating, drafting, and reviewing business contracts; Helping with business startup and incorporating filings;

What is a referral service for a lawyer?

An attorney referral service, such as LegalMatch, is how most people locate small business lawyers. Such services match you to an attorney in your area based on criteria that you provide. Other means of finding an attorney include an online search, and asking friends and family.

What is the best way to grow a business?

Teams and Marketing: You should identify those who will be able to get your business started. This is your team, and they will help you grow your business if you cannot do it alone. Related to your team is your marketing strategy. Solid marketing is what will help your business grow and expand.

What to keep in mind when starting a small business?

Some examples include but may not be limited to: Research: It is imperative to do your research before starting a small business. This could include things like researching your competition and finding the best suppliers for materials.

What is a small business?

What constitutes a small business can vary greatly. In general, a small business is privately owned and operated with less than five hundred employees. They may also be defined by a relatively low volume of sales. Small business standards in the United States vary by state, as well as by industry. Because of their relative ease ...

Why are small businesses becoming more popular?

Because of their relative ease of operation, and certain tax deductions being made available , small businesses are becoming more popular.

Why do start ups need lawyers?

At the most basic level, start-ups need lawyers to help them deal with three groups: The government. You don’t want to violate laws. You also need to be sure you are doing business in a way that doesn’t create unnecessary tax liability and that you pay the taxes you owe. Third parties and the public.

What happens if a lawyer doesn't understand the world?

If someone doesn’t understand the world in which you are operating, it’s harder for him to adequately represent you. Next, a lawyer who seems to be learning how to do something on your dime.

Is LegalZoom good for incorporation?

LegalZoom can be good if you know exactly what you need, but it can’t advise you on what is appropriate for your specific situation.

What is the role of a company's founder counsel?

One of the primary fiduciary duties of a company’s Board of Directors is to maximize aggregate shareholder value (the entire pie), and Company counsel’s role, apart from day-to- day general counsel, is to advise the Board on various matters (like acquisition offers, strategic partnerships, etc.) that influence shareholder value. The reality is that advising the company/board on maximizing total shareholder value is often very much aligned with the interests of the common stockholders (including founders); more so than with investors.

What is the role of company counsel in a financing?

investor counsel distinction (the first point discussed above). Investors (who should hire their own lawyers) have a desire to maximize their ownership of the company and secure as much potential exit value as they can, at the expense of the ownership stake of the remaining cap table. Company counsel’s primary role in a financing is to advise the existing stockholders of the Company (particularly the common stockholders, making up founders and employees) on balancing their desire for investment with their desire to not give up significant ownership or control to outsiders.

Is company counsel vs founder counsel relevant?

At the very early stages of a startup, this company counsel v. founder counsel distinction is often not terribly relevant, because the founders, as a fact, are the entire company; they make up the entire cap table. Though I have been in situations where disagreement among founders requires me to drive home the fact that, as company counsel, I do not represent one particular founder over another. Company counsel represents the pie as a whole, not any particular slice of it.

What is a good startup lawyer?

A good startup lawyer is more than a lawyer. They are also a close advisor and confidante as you’re trying to grow your business. Here are some of the important steps that startup lawyers can help you with: Deciding how to structure your new business.

What is a free initial consultation?

Some lawyers offer a free initial consultation during which you can introduce your business and evaluate if the lawyer is a good fit for you. During the consultation, the lawyer should give you an overview of how they plan to help your business.

Do lawyers know other lawyers?

Good lawyers typically know other good lawyers. Just be sure to make it clear that you need a lawyer who is experienced in helping new businesses get off the ground. Some lawyers identify themselves as business attorneys, but they may be more familiar advising mature businesses.

image

What About Using Forms?

  • LegalZoom, Rocket Lawyer and similar companies provide a variety of accessible and inexpensive forms. Used correctly, they can reduce a startup company’s legal expenses. But those forms don’t help with everything, such as tax advice in deciding what type of entity to form, counseling what …
See more on vc-list.com

So How I Choose The “Right” Lawyer?

  • In many ways, choosing a lawyer is similar to choosing any professional and requires some investigation. You should be comfortable with him or her and his or her ability to meet your company’s needs and to minimize its exposure. Selecting the attorney right for you and your startup begins with gaining an understanding of his or her experience and knowledge. Good star…
See more on vc-list.com

Paying The “Right” Amount

  • Whether a startup is bootstrapped, angel-funded, crowdfunded, or secured some level of series funding, budgeting appropriately for legal services is always a concern. This is even more critical when funds are limited. The “right” lawyer for your startup understands that. Many lawyers serving startups charge a fixed rate for the first or even early stages of financing. The right lawyer for yo…
See more on vc-list.com

Experience with Startups

The day-to-day…

  • Law firms are made up of attorneys with various levels of experience and billable rates – from partners to junior associate lawyers. You should know what the day to day (or month to month) communication with the legal team will look and feel like. Ask: 1. Who will your primary point of contact be? 2. How can you be assured that your questions/issues are being addressed by the ri…
See more on cooleygo.com

Law Firm Culture

  • A law firm’s culture can be very relevant to its clients. In firms with a collaborative or ‘team’ culture, your lawyer is better able to leverage the collective knowledge of his or her colleagues to offer more effective and efficient legal counsel, quicker responses and business-friendly answers. Culture is not an easy area for an outsider to assess, but ask the lawyer to describe the firm’s cul…
See more on cooleygo.com

Connections to Capital

  • Don’t underestimate the ‘non-legal’ services that your lawyer can provide. In addition to representing startups, some firms also have a venture capital practice where they represent VCs in their fund formation and investment activities. A firm with a strong VC practice has deep relationships with investors that can be helpful to startup founders as...
See more on cooleygo.com

Cost

  • Early-stage startups are often cash constrained and attorney billable hourly rates are high. A good startup lawyer is sensitive to this and may be willing to offer a flexible fee arrangement to unfunded startups. These arrangements can take many forms, and a good startup lawyer will be happy to discuss options with you. Realize that law firms are investing their time and taking a ris…
See more on cooleygo.com

Chemistry

  • A great legal advisor is important as you launch and grow your company. Choose a lawyer who is smart, accessible, interested in you and your company, easy to talk to, and is someone you can count on to be available and honest with you. You’ll be working with your lawyer through exciting and occasionally difficult times – choose wisely!
See more on cooleygo.com