Startup Lawyers for New Haven, Connecticut
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Nicholas M.
Nicholas Matlach is a cybersecurity expert (CISSP) and an attorney who is dedicated to helping small businesses succeed. He is a client-focused professional who has a deep understanding of the challenges that small businesses face in the digital age. He also provides legal counsel to small businesses on a variety of issues, including formation, intellectual property, contracts, and employment law.
"Enjoyed his demeanor. Professional yet down to earth. The document created for me was very explicit and easy to read. I would recommend :)"
Brian J R.
Immigration expert with over 30 years’ experience focused on start-up companies H-1, L-1, E, O-1 visas. PERM and extraordinary ability immigrant visas. Complex family immigration cases and waivers. I also assist early stage comapnies in entity formation and general legal matters for start-up companies in the areas of Telehealth, Technology and International Trade.
Sam Y.
I am a Connecticut-licensed business attorney with over a decade of combined legal and business-operations experience, including roles as in-house counsel, Director of Operations & Compliance, and Director of Growth. I provide practical, business-focused legal solutions to entrepreneurs, small and mid-sized businesses, and investors who need a trusted advisor that understands both the legal and operational realities of running a company.
"Had great SaaS product legal knowledge and got me everything I needed."
Neil B.
Professional Experience Neil Belloff is an accomplished business lawyer with over 35 years of business and legal experience, including as Board Member, General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Corporate Secretary. After law school, Neil joined a boutique law firm in New York City and practiced as a litigator and corporate securities lawyer. Soon thereafter, Neil became a Senior Attorney-Advisor in the Division of Corporation Finance at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. responsible for reviewing 1933 Act and 1934 Act documents, coordinating projects with the EPA and DOL, overseeing bankruptcy, reorganization and work-outs, responding to Congressional inquiries, and providing assistance to other SEC divisions and the Department of Justice. Following his tenure with the government, Neil practiced with several NY-based law firms providing legal and business services to public and private enterprises focusing on securities, corporate, employment, IP, licensing, M&A, finance, governance, litigation, compliance and privacy matters. Neil became an in-house attorney in 2003 joining Deutsche Telekom, one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world, as Executive Vice President and US Securities and Corporate Counsel. He joined Celgene Corporation, a publicly listed global biopharmaceutical company, in 2010 and became General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer and Corporate Secretary of Eloxx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in 2018 (and Chief Operating Officer in 2020) and General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer and Corporate Secretary of Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. in 2021. Neil went back to private practice in 2024. Neil has been lead counsel on dozens of IPOs (representing both issuers and underwriters) and multi-billion dollar M&A transactions. His practice includes licensing, structured finance, venture capital, risk assessment, corporate governance, legal and regulatory compliance, pharmaceutical development, and all aspects of corporate, securities, intellectual property, privacy and employment law. Education • J.D. - Quinnipiac University School of Law • LL.M. - Program in Securities Regulation at Georgetown University Law Center • M.A. - New York University • B.A. - Queens College of the City University of New York Admissions • New York, New Jersey, Connecticut • Southern District of New York • Eastern District of New York • District of Connecticut Publications • Frequent conference speaker (FEI, NACD, NIRI, ACC, PLI, MarcusEvans) • Co-authored chapter of NACD report on the Role of Directors in Strategic Planning, member of Blue Ribbon Commission of NACD • Authored various articles on securities, litigation and governance topics • Featured in Vanguard Law Magazine - https://www.vanguardlawmag.com/case-studies/neil-belloff-acorda-therapeutics/ Board Memberships • Former Board Member | Private computer network and software development company sold to NASDAQ listed company • Former Board Member | NASDAQ listed location-based entertainment company
"Responsive & professional turnaround. Would work with Neil again in the future!"
Frank G.
Accomplished business and litigation counsel with experience managing a broad spectrum of legal matters on behalf of individuals as well as early-stage and established technology, software, service and medical device companies. Substantial experience in drafting commercial agreements as well as litigation and arbitration of complex business disputes as plaintiff’s and defendant’s counsel. Served as infantry officer (attaining rank of Major) in ground combat units for the United States Marine Corps and educated in Marine Corps management and tactics. Adept at taking complicated information and legal principles and presenting strategy to non-lawyers in a concise and easy-to-understand format.
"Working with Frank is like going on a road trip with your best friend. You have more fun during the road trip than at your final destination. Frank told me a deadline and stayed with it, always being responsive to messages, with thick detail to reinforce his reasoning. When talking over the phone, Frank goes into great detail and paints the real picture of what to expect, in his experience, dealing with the court and judges. I would work with Frank again for future work."
Joe S.
I am a Connecticut-licensed attorney and transaction advisor with extensive experience in middle-market mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, and complex deal structuring. As the principal of Amirext LLC, I serve as lead counsel and strategic advisor to founders, boards, and investors, often working at the intersection of legal, financial, and operational decision-making.
"Joe was responsive, communicative and a real advocate for me. He was thorough with the work, and managed expectations very clearly. I would 100% hire Joe again, and may do so very soon."
July 17, 2023
Christine T.
Christine E. Taylor focuses her practice in the areas of Hospitality Law, Business Law, Labor and Employment Law, Real Estate Law, Administrative Law, Estate Law and Litigation. Ms. Taylor grew up within the campground industry, working at parks in both the Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Franchise and the Kampgrounds of America Franchise. Armed with two decades of experience, Ms. Taylor is quick to point out the legal issues that apply to outdoor hospitality business owners. She has provided a wide variety of services to campgrounds, RV Parks, and glamping venues, including seasonal licenses, waivers, employment contracts, real estate services and even litigation services as needed.
June 28, 2023
Heather B.
I currently focus on estate planning, uncontested divorces, mobile real estate closings, and contract review for small businesses after starting my firm after leaving my position a partner at a national law firm specializing in creditor rights and real property.
September 14, 2023
Rachel B.
I am a new attorney who is licensed to practice in Connecticut and Massachusetts. I am waiting for bar admission to North Carolina. I have over 20 year of experience working in both the public and private sectors. I am a fierce advocate for my clients and am committed to delivering solutions for clients with excellence.
Neil B.
Family Law attorney with focus on Divorce Mediation
August 23, 2025
Alexander C.
I am a solo practitioner that runs my own legal practice. I am currently licensed in 16 states and I'm working to expand that reach.
Monica T.
October 20, 2025
Monica T.
NYC based attorney of over 15 years in NY & CT who specializes in entertainment transactional law. 10 years as a general/in-house counsel in 2 entertainment companies and former indie film company executive as well as a creative professional (actress, singer, writer, model, blogger, podcast host/producer and beauty ambassador). Also have over 5 years of court appearance experience in various practice areas including foreclosure defense, bankruptcy, personal injury (plaintiff), immigration, consumer debt, etc.
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Browse Lawyers NowStartup Legal Questions and Answers
Startup
Convertible Note
California
Convertible note vs. equity financing?
I am an entrepreneur and I am in the process of raising capital for my startup. I am considering both convertible note and equity financing options and am trying to decide which one is best suited for my company. I need to understand the key differences between the two options to make an informed decision.
Thaddeus W.
Good question. Convertible notes (as well as SAFE's, discussed below) differ from equity in several respects. The most fundamental difference is that a convertible note is debt. A second major difference is that, although the note is debt, its terms include the noteholder's right to acquire an equity position in the future; if a certain event later occurs (defined in the note, but typically the sale of preferred stock to a future investor (e.g. a venture capital firm), but also a sale of the company can have a similar effect), this will trigger the note to convert into equity and the note is "satisfied" ... that is, the debt is extinguished when the note converts and the holder thereby becomes an equity holder (typically coming to own shares of preferred stock very similar to that issued to the future investors in that triggering event). These two differences are related to a third. A convertible note is often issued without a valuation of the company. For example, when a startup business has no operating history, it is impossible for the startup founders or the investor to decide what the company is worth. Equity cannot be issued for a fair market value (FMV), since there is no basis to determine what the FMV is. A convertible note resolves that by giving the investor (the note holder) the right to convert the note into equity later on, when another investor and the company can agree on a company valuation. In other words, the convertible note allows the company to "kick the can (of valuation) down the road" to be dealt with at another time. But, since a convertible note is debt, is has a repayment provision, and normally carries interest. This means that the note is carried on the company's balance sheet as debt, and presents the company with the future obligation to repay the note if a conversion event has not happened before the note's maturity date. So, SAFE's are often used, especially now that they have become so familiar to investors. (SAFE stands for Simple Agreement for Future Equity). Essentially, as SAFE is a convertible note without the debt features. A SAFE carries no interest and does not have to be repaid. The investor in a SAFE will normally be sophisticated and able to assess the chances the company will do well enough for a conversion event (the issuance of preferred stock, or a sale of the company) to result in the investor's SAFE converting, and thus give the investor comfort that would otherwise be lacking in an instrument that has no repayment obligation. Like a convertible note, a SAFE kicks the can of valuation down the road, where a valuation can later be determined by the company and a future investor. Founders should exercise caution in issuing convertible notes or SAFE's. Among other reasons, founders commonly do not appreciate the impact that convertible notes or SAFE's can have on the founders' own ownership. Convertible notes and SAFE's often include a feature called a "valuation cap." This can result in surprising dilution, as well as the issuance of equity to the converting note or SAFE holder at what is effectively a very low price per share, costing the company far more than the founders may have expected. Also, notes and SAFE's with very similar, but different, terms can result in a complicated capitalization table, making negotiations with venture capital firms later on more difficult, an equity transaction more complex, and thus the process more time-consuming and (therefore) more expensive.
Startup
LLC
Texas
LLC tax advantages?
I recently started a small business and am considering forming a limited liability company (LLC). I understand that LLCs provide certain protections for business owners, but I am not clear on the tax advantages of an LLC. I would like to know what kind of tax benefits I could expect if I form an LLC.
Jimmy V.
LLCs are "pass-through" entities for tax purposes. In other words, there is no income tax due on the company level. The distributions "pass through" to you and you report them on your personal tax return. This prevents double taxation.
Startup
Business Purchase Agreement
Arizona
What happens to ongoing litigation in a business purchase agreement?
I am in the process of purchasing a business and the current owners are involved in ongoing litigation. This litigation could have a significant impact on the value of the business and I want to understand how it is addressed in the purchase agreement. I am looking for advice on how to protect my interests and the potential risks related to the ongoing litigation.
Elizabeth A.
You should first decide what the hopeful outcome of the case is for you. So, if there is a favorable outcome then such and such should take effect by contract.
Startup
LLC
Texas
How is ownership defined in LLC formation?
I am starting a new business and am looking to form a limited liability company (LLC). I understand that an LLC is a business structure that can help protect my personal assets from any debts or liabilities of the business. I am looking to understand how the ownership of the LLC is defined and how it affects the legal and financial structure of the LLC. I am hoping to find out what type of paperwork and/or agreements need to be drawn up in order to set up the LLC properly.
Jimmy V.
Owners of LLCs are called "Members." Members make an initial contribution of cash or other property to the LLC in exchange for their Membership Interests in the LLC. The Members can run the LLC themselves if they like. This is common in LLCs with one or only a few Members. If there are many Members, they may decide to appoint a Manager to run the LLC. Managers can be owners, and vice versa.
Startup
Cofounder Agreement
California
Is it necessary to have a co-founder agreement when starting a business?
I am in the process of starting a business with a co-founder, and we have discussed various aspects of our partnership such as equity distribution, roles and responsibilities, and decision-making authority. However, we are unsure if it is necessary to have a formal co-founder agreement in place to protect our interests and ensure a smooth working relationship. We want to understand the importance and potential benefits of having a legally binding agreement in order to make an informed decision.
Paul S.
It's not necessary but it can be a really good idea. You'll want to address things like the equity split, vesting schedule, each cofounder's contributions (cash, IP, time, etc.), how much time each cofounder will be expected to spend (and if someone is starting out part-time, when they are expected to go full-time), and you may want to address consequences for failing to meet the required contributions and time - for example, company can claw back shares at original price and expel the cofounder.
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