what type of lawyer specializes in startups

by Katarina Auer MD 8 min read

Startup lawyers are attorneys that specialize in helping startups with legal issues early on. They can seem to be expensive early on but getting in touch with a good startup lawyer as early as possible is the best way startups can protect themselves from legal trouble.

Why do startups need a lawyer?

Apr 13, 2022 · The best lawyers will be willing to engage their own personal network for the growth of your startup. Breadth of Knowledge: Another thing to look for while hiring is your potential lawyer’s breadth...

Which are some of the law firms for startups?

There are several different types of attorneys that could be beneficial in starting a business. Examples include general business attorneys, contract attorneys, and tax attorneys. Local attorneys will be aware of what laws apply to which industries, and what specific licensure you will need to obtain to start your own business.

Do startups Really need Lawyers?

Jun 17, 2021 · And the way they charge can vary too. Hourly rates can go from $100 all the way up to $400, depending on where you’re situated. Specialized lawyers can range from $500 to $1000 an hour because they’re trained for a specific type of law. High-end firm charges can skyrocket. It’s important to nail the costs down at the start.

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

Jun 09, 2021 · Good startup lawyers must master or at least be conversant in a wide range of legal disciplines, such as corporate law, securities law, tax law, real estate, intellectual property law, employment law, litigation, and employee benefits law. Ideally, the lawyer also knows something about the startup’s industry.

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How do I choose a law firm for a startup?

Here are a few things to keep in mind when looking for the right startup lawyer or firm to partner with:Recognize your company's needs. ... Find the right legal and business fit. ... Know your first priorities. ... Communicate clearly about fees and expectations. ... Ask for help.Jul 3, 2019

What is the most needed type of lawyer?

The Top 10 Lawyer Types You're Most Likely to NeedBusiness Lawyer (litigation or transactional) ... Family Lawyer (a.k.a. Domestic Relations Attorney; a.k.a. Divorce Lawyer) ... Traffic Lawyer. ... Trusts and Estates Lawyer. ... Immigration Lawyer. ... Personal Injury Lawyer. ... Real Estate Lawyer.More items...•Dec 31, 2015

What is a company lawyer called?

Litigators can also be corporate attorneys, as they are lawyers who represent corporations, either bringing a suit against an identity or defending the corporation if it is being sued. Corporate lawyers are typically found in large law firms, with seasoned experts working as an in-house counsel.Jul 12, 2018

What is the highest-paid lawyer type?

Medical AttorneysMedical Attorneys Medical lawyers are among the highest-paid types of lawyers and earn one of the highest median salaries in the legal field.

What's the easiest type of lawyer to be?

Estate Planning Although being a legal clerk is the easiest career path, it is only suited for beginners. Estate planning wins the most stress-free legal practice area when practicing law for lawyers. Many lawyers avoid estate planning as it is a field of law associated with death.Jan 30, 2022

What lawyers are in highest demand?

Highest paid lawyers: salary by practice areaPatent attorney: $180,000.Intellectual property (IP) attorney: $162,000.Trial attorneys: $134,000.Tax attorney (tax law): $122,000.Corporate lawyer: $115,000.Employment lawyer: $87,000.Real Estate attorney: $86,000.Divorce attorney: $84,000.More items...•Dec 14, 2021

What is the highest position in a law firm?

The managing partner or shareholder is at the top of a law firm's hierarchy. As the senior-level lawyer of the firm, job duties include managing the day-to-day operations of the firm.

What is the difference between commercial law and business law?

The difference between commercial law and business law is that the former specifically governs how corporations are administered and managed, while the latter comprises different practice areas associated with business; such as employment, tax, contract, and transaction law.

Can a lawyer be a businessman?

An advocate shall not be a Managing Director or a Secretary of any company. If the functions of the advocate as a member of the Board of Directors is in case executive in nature, then that action would be against rule 48. An advocate cannot run any business personally and earn a profit. Rule 47 strictly prohibits that.

How much do Harvard lawyers make?

No. 2 is Harvard Law School, where grads with little or no experience pull down a median salary of $143,000. At mid-career, Harvard law graduates earn $234,000, on average. Stanford and University of Virginia follow closely, with recent grads earning $133,000 and $130,000, respectively.Mar 13, 2012

Which lawyers are the happiest?

The happiest attorneys, therefore, are those who experience a cultural fit. This means they work for firms where they are free to act independently, do work that matters to them and collaborate on teams with people who complement their personality and communication style.Jun 25, 2019

What type of lawyer makes the least money?

In general, private sector lawyers make more money than public sector lawyers, and sole practitioners earn less money than lawyers at large firms. Geography will impact salary, with lawyers in bigger cities bringing home more than lawyers in rural areas.

Experience with startups

Choose a lawyer who is experienced in working with startups in your industry and building those startups into successful companies. If the lawyer is part of a large firm that has a startup or ‘emerging companies’ practice, you may have a ‘1-stop-shop’ benefit that includes the various specialty areas startups will eventually need as they grow.

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.

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.

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.

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!

What should a startup have?

Every startup should have standard forms written up that protect your company from legal issues arising with your customers, employees, and even your website. A corporate lawyer can help you draft these important agreements.

What is a standard contract?

These standard forms are drafted to be in favor of your company and provide fast and efficient templates for beginning negotiations when entering into new business relationships. With customers, this standard contract generally establishes what your product offers and limits your liability. Common examples of these kinds of standard customer contract are a Master Services Agreement or Terms of Use/Terms of Service contract.

What is a privacy policy?

A Privacy Policy is a legal statement that establishes what personal data is collected from users of the site and how such data may be used, sold or released to third parties.

Why are small businesses so popular?

Because of their relative ease of operation, and certain tax deductions being made available , small businesses are becoming more popular. Some other examples of why small businesses are gaining popularity include, but are not limited to: Starting incentives, such as financing options.

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 ...

How many employees are needed to start a small business?

For manufacturing industries, small businesses are to employ less than five hundred employees; for non-manufacturing industries, the criteria is typically less than $7 million in annual income.

What is financial independence?

Financial independence; and/or. Starting incentives, such as financing options. Small businesses typically take the form of a corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship. Another commonly used term is “ startup .”.

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 the most common form of business?

The most common form is an “ LLC ,” or limited liability company. The state in which you wish to form your business may also dictate what form that business takes, as well as tax incentives and implications associated with particular forms; and.

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 is a business mindset?

A Business Mindset. Having a lawyer that knows business law is one thing. But finding one that has a business mindset is valuable too. Because as a startup, you don’t have tonnes of cash to burn. So they need to know what you should focus on, and what’s ok to leave till a later date.

How much does a lawyer charge per hour?

Rates for lawyers differ wildly. And the way they charge can vary too. Hourly rates can go from $100 all the way up to $400, depending on where you’re situated. Specialized lawyers can range from $500 to $1000 an hour because they’re trained for a specific type of law. High-end firm charges can skyrocket.

Why is it important to hire a lawyer?

However, if your business is subject to a lawsuit, you’ll be relieved that you hired a lawyer. When evaluating lawyers, you should ask a lot ...

What kind of law do lawyers specialize in?

People sometimes wonder what types of lawyers are available to them. Lawyers often specialize in either business law or personal law. For this reason, you should search for lawyers who have business law experience.

Can a lawyer review a contract?

In addition, some lawyers are knowledgeable about tax issues, even if they aren’t accountants. They may have handled legal tax matters for other business owners and can make sure you don’t run into the same issues.

What is a general business lawyer?

1. General Business Lawyer. As the name suggests, a general business lawyer can provide legal advice on a wide range of matters. This type of lawyer has a hand in every legal discipline. If your business doesn’t deal with special circumstances, a general business lawyer may be well suited to your purposes.

Is M&A a complicated process?

M&A is a complicated process, and trying to do this without an M&A lawyer is not a wise decision. The documentation process is another complicated aspect of M&A deals. It’s likely for small business owners to overlook the needed documents. M&A lawyers know about the documents and filings.

What is an employment lawyer?

Employment and Labor Lawyer. Using an employment and labor lawyer only makes sense when your business has employees. If it does, your business should comply with state and federal laws. An attorney in this area of the law can help you draft employee manuals and ensure safety standards are in place.

Can you use templates for a business contract?

Many business owners use templates found on the internet for their contracts. These may work, but could cause your business legal problems, as templates won’t cover the specifics for your business.

What is an estate planning lawyer?

The estate planning lawyer specializes in wills and trusts, and can help you to draw up a will to pass on your assets. Among other estate planning legal services, this type of lawyer can help you set up a trust which will help take care of your children’s financial needs.

Do doctors make mistakes?

Doctors do occasionally make mistakes, and if you’re facing the consequences of a medical mistake such as a medical misdiagnosis or inaccurate treatment, a lawyer who specializes in medical malpractice issues can be particular helpful.

What is an IP lawyer?

Also known as an IP attorney, an intellectual property lawyer can advise you with regard to issues relating to intellectual property, such as copyrights, trademarks, patents, industrial design and trade secrets.

What is an employment lawyer?

Employment Lawyer. Whether you’re a company that’s having a problem with an employee, or an individual who’s having problems with the company you work for, an employment lawyer can generally provide advice about legal issues which arise from an employment contract or within an employment relationship.

What can a corporate lawyer do for you?

A corporate lawyer will be able to help you with issues related to the formation of your corporation, general corporate governance issues and corporate compliance issues.

What is a worker's compensation lawyer?

If you’ve been injured while on the job, or have had to face the death of a loved one as a result of a workplace accident or occupational disease, a lawyer who specializes in workers compensation law can help you navigate the issues you face, such as the extent of the employer’s fault and the amount of benefits to which you are entitled.

What is general practice law?

Unlike lawyers who specialize in a particular area of law, a general practice lawyer has a practice that handles a wide range of legal issues. Different general practice attorneys will have different areas of law with which they are most comfortable, so if you consult with a general practice lawyer, it’s always prudent to discuss his or her experience in handling the type of legal issue you’re facing.

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Experience with Startups

  • Choose a lawyer who is experienced in working with startups in your industry and building those startups into successful companies. If the lawyer is part of a large firm that has a startup or ‘emerging companies’ practice, you may have a ‘1-stop-shop’ benefit that includes the various specialty areas startups will eventually need as they grow. In a...
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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…
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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 they fundraise, and your la…
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

Incorporation

Standard Forms

Securities Law

IP Protection

Corporate Governance

Priori Pricing

FAQs

  • Isn’t it better to save money on legal fees in the early stages of a startup?
    Unfortunately, this common belief in the startup community has led to many legal disasters later on down the road. Hiring legal counsel when forming a company can help you mitigate significant risks. Finding an attorney who specializes in startups that you trust who can tell you honestly wh…
  • Are there any other legal issues that could affect my startup?
    Absolutely. Starting a business exposes you to tons of legal issues that you probably never dreamed of before establishing your startup. Startup law—and corporate law as a whole— is incredibly complex. That’s why an experienced startup lawyer is your best bet for staying compli…
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