Archive for August, 2009

startup legal FAQ – 3-5. What up with all the contracts?

So what’s with all the contracts?

There is no truer maxim in the law than “get it in writing.”

Probably the single most effective service lawyers provide to manage risk is the thoughtful structuring, negotiating, and drafting of effective contracts. With very few exceptions, every transaction in which a company engages should be governed by a [...]

startup legal FAQ – 2. Lawyer says what?

The vast majority of the advice emerging companies lawyers give clients is meant to address one or more of these risks:

Litigation risk. We help you avoid things that could put you on the losing end of lawsuits.

Valuation risk. We help you take steps to fortify your company’s value (or at least not needlessly impair it) [...]

startup legal FAQ – 1. Why does a startup need a lawyer?

Why does a startup need a lawyer?

Generally, lawyers recommend ways of managing risks. It is the entrepreneur’s job to dream of everything that will go right with the company and to evangelize about the company’s prospects for success. It is our role as outside counsel to help that success along by anticipating the things that [...]