Corporate & Small Business

We leverage our legal and technical expertise so that we can work smart with your company's management team and provide a legally sound foundation on which to build, with strong support and guidance along the way. We take the time to understand and appreciate your ideas, and work with you to develop a customized program designed to address your unique needs and objectives.

 

We work with clients in apparel, biotechnology, electronic commerce, entertainment, food and hospitality, gamemaking, green technology, internet, manufacturing, media, nonprofit work, retail, services, software, telecommunications and other businesses both small and large.  


Whether a family-owned restaurant, a media production company, or a web-based startup developing new technologies with a focus on obtaining investment, smart company planning and sound legal guidance are essential to success. Many new businesses, especially those already engaging in sales or developing intellectual property, make the mistake of waiting too long to seek legal guidance. When this happens, costly consequences may occur in the long run.


We function as small business legal coaches, transactional representation, or complete outside general counsel for your company. For newly established companies, we also offer services in capacities such as registered agent, nominee officers and directors, and attorney privilege arrangements.


Some of Our Corporate Services Include:

  • Entity Creation 
    Working with your business to select and launch the most suitable legal structure, such as a partnership, corporation, limited liability company, or even newer entity forms such as virtual corporations and series LLCs.  Counseling and guidance on how to operate your entity to comply with corporate formalities laws.
  • Corporate Planning 
    Counseling founders on the highly delicate matters of founders stock, equity, option plans, voting issues, shareholder agreements, technology assignments, and employment letters, giving special attention to the estate, tax, business, strategic, and even psychological aspects of this process.
  • Business Contracts
    Preparation and review of business contracts including employment and consulting, confidentiality, licensing, outsourcing, data processing, advertising, R&D, services, distribution and dealers, suppliers, equipment leases, and real estate and office leases.
  • Corporate Governance and Securities
    Advising corporate companies on governance, management, venture capital, corporate finance, securities, and SEC compliance issues raised by having a board of directors, founders, and investors.
  • Government and Regulatory Issues
    Licensing, rules, and regulations surrounding various business matters (e.g., alcohol sales-related law compliance programs for restaurants and bars; assessment of liability for offline offenses committed by users of an online dating web site).
  • Corporate Finance 
    Structuring and advising for private placements and financings.  We advise on optimal corporate structures and aid negotiations with early stage investors, angel investors, and venture capitalists. 
  • Corporate Growth and Exits 
    Consultation and structuring regarding executive compensation, employee stock, second rounds, founder's exits, and dissolution-related issues.
  • Unique Management Needs 
    Expertise regarding the distinctive needs of closely-held firms.
  • Key Employee and Employee Issues
    Regulatory and corporate issues surrounding employment.
  • Mergers and Acquisitions 
    Structuring, documents, and diligence matters associated with mergers, acquisitions, divestitures and spin-offs, and leveraged buyouts (LBOs).
  • Business, Commercial and Real Estate Litigation
    Expert representation for disputes relating to corporate and partnership matters, contracts, real estate, secured transactions, intellectual property licenses, and others.