Startup Lawyers for Maryland

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Meet some of our Maryland Startup Lawyers

Michael W. - Startup Lawyer in Maryland
View Michael
5.0 (2)
Member Since:
July 13, 2020

Michael W.

Attorney
Free Consultation
Columbia, MD
15 Yrs Experience
Licensed in MD
Georgetown University Law Center

Graduate of Georgetown Law (J.D. and LL.M in Taxation) Injury Claims Adjuster before law school for top insurer Eight plus years of legal experience Past roles: Associate at premier boutique law firm in the DC metro area Policy Associate at a large academic and research institution Solo Practice Areas of Expertise: Contracts Business Formation Trusts and Estates Demand Letters Entertainment Transactions

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"Michael was great to work with, professional and responsive. He hit the deadline and delivered the required document for me. Highly recommend both him and Contracts Counsel!"

Julian H. - Startup Lawyer in Maryland
View Julian
5.0 (4)
Member Since:
July 14, 2020

Julian H.

Business Attorney
Free Consultation
San Antonio, Texas
24 Yrs Experience
Licensed in MD
Howard University School of Law

I am a business attorney with years of experience advising individual entrepreneurs and small businesses on issues ranging from entity selection/formation to employment law compliance, to intellectual property protection and exploitation. I often act as General Counsel for my clients fulfilling the legal function as part of a team of managers. I look forward to learning more about your business and how I may be of assistance.

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"Julian was stellar - speedy and informative. Will absolutely hire him for future projects."

Roman V. - Startup Lawyer in Maryland
View Roman
5.0 (1)
Member Since:
July 10, 2021

Roman V.

Trademark Attorney
Free Consultation
Milwaukee, WI
12 Yrs Experience
Licensed in MD
Marquette University Law School

I'm an experienced trademark attorney and enjoy helping clients protect and grow their brand names through trademark registration and enforcement. I've worked with a wide variety of clients in different industries, including e-commerce, software as a service (SaaS), and consumer goods, to register trademarks for product names, logos, and slogans, both in the US and abroad.

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"Roman was very helpful and responsive in submitting my companies trademark."

Cecilia O. - Startup Lawyer in Maryland
View Cecilia
5.0 (1)
Member Since:
January 31, 2022

Cecilia O.

Contracts Attorney
Free Consultation
San Antonio
19 Yrs Experience
Licensed in MD CT
Ghana School of Law

With 15 years of extensive transactional/contracts experience reviewing and negotiating commercial contracts including a wide variety of purchase orders and contracts and non-disclosure agreements (NDA), I believe I can immediately contribute to the continued success of your team. I have been commended for a range of valuable skills—excellent contract management and contract administration, legal research, risk analysis, drafting and negotiations, and strategic thinking. I have worked as a legal consultant for 10+ years and I have reviewed over 7,500 contracts through this position. Contracts I have reviewed include but not limited to purchase orders, commercial and construction contracts, equipment rental agreements, non-disclosure, confidentiality, vendor agreements, service agreements, site access agreements, international agreements, request for proposals (RFP), bids and government contracts. These experiences have enabled me to master the ability to work independently and expeditiously to identify and assess issues and provide legally sound recommendations, consistent with good business practices. I have led teams (sales, insurance and management) to successfully negotiate contract terms with customers. Effective Communicator and Negotiator. I am a people person, and for the past 13 years, I have acquired excellent oral and written communication skills that enable me to interact and negotiate effectively with stakeholders at all levels. I am a self-starter with a strong work ethic. I have a high degree of resourcefulness, diligence, and dependability. Most important, I adapt to changing priorities quickly, thriving in an environment with high volume and short turnaround deadlines. My experience over the years allows me to transfer my skills to all types of contracts to meet the client’s needs. I am hopeful to provide similar legal expertise, effective contract administration and leadership to your organization. It would be a pleasure to meet within the next few weeks and discuss how my qualifications, experience, and capabilities will best fit the needs of your outfit.

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"Cecilia was great to work with. She had knowledge on our project and I would not hesitate to work with her again."

Michael T. - Startup Lawyer in Maryland
View Michael
5.0 (1)
Member Since:
June 13, 2022

Michael T.

Lawyer
Free Consultation
Fairfax, Virginia
36 Yrs Experience
Licensed in MD DC, VA
College of William and Mary

I have been in practice since 1990 and practice in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. I am an experienced litigator and look forward to resolving your legal questions as efficiently as possible.

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"Easy to work with. Great communication. Helped steer us in the right direction to make sure we filed the right document for our needs."

Thomas G. - Startup Lawyer in Maryland
View Thomas
5.0 (2)
Member Since:
January 27, 2023

Thomas G.

Real Estate Attorney
Free Consultation
Chevy Chase, MD
24 Yrs Experience
Licensed in MD DC
University of Maryland School of Law

https://www.tgravelylaw.com/

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"Thomas was great to work with. He was easy to communicate with and helped ensure I got a fair contract for my commercial lease. I highly recommend Thomas to anyone."

O.T. W. - Startup Lawyer in Maryland
View O.T.
5.0 (1)
Member Since:
March 8, 2023

O.T. W.

Attorney
Free Consultation
Washington, DC
11 Yrs Experience
Licensed in MD NY
Texas Southern University - Thurgood Marshall School of Law

Hi, my name is O.T. and I own The Walker Collective, a law firm that caters to the contractual, intellectual property, and business formation needs of creative entrepreneurs and small business owners. I am licensed to practice in Maryland and New York.

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"O.T was very personable, knowledgable, and resourceful. Would definitely use her again!"

Max M. - Startup Lawyer in Maryland
View Max
4.9 (23)
Member Since:
July 12, 2021

Max M.

Business Attorney
Free Consultation
Baltimore, Maryland
19 Yrs Experience
Licensed in MD
Georgetown University Law Center

Business attorney with a focus on the health care sector, bringing Biglaw experience in multi-million dollar mergers and acquisitions, financings, and general corporate counsel work to the small firm space. I now help startups and growing companies access the same level of sophistication and strategic guidance typically reserved for large institutions.

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"Max was great! He put together a subcontract for us for our subconsultants. Really easy to work with."

Sara S. - Startup Lawyer in Maryland
View Sara
4.9 (154)
Member Since:
July 14, 2023

Sara S.

Attorney
Free Consultation
Washington, District of Columbia
6 Yrs Experience
Licensed in MD DC, PA
American University Washington College of Law

With over eleven years of intellectual property experience, I’m happy to work on your contract problem. I am very diligent and enjoy meeting tight deadlines. Drafting memoranda, business transactional documents, termination notices, demand letters, licenses and letter agreements are all in my wheelhouse! Working in a variety of fields, from construction to pharmaceutical, I enjoy resolving any disputes that come across my desk. I will prioritize your project, big or small. Please be ready and prepared with all relevant documentation so we can get started as soon as you click HIRE! Hourly rate projects will be billed hourly in accordance with the timesheet. Flat rate projects will be billed in segments. Choosing an hourly or flat rate is up to you. Absolutely no refunds.

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"Sara was very helpful with the matter and we will work with her again."

Sean D. - Startup Lawyer in Maryland
View Sean
Member Since:
January 26, 2021

Sean D.

Business Attorney
Free Consultation
Elkridge, Maryland
28 Yrs Experience
Licensed in MD
University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law

Accomplished and results-driven business attorney with extensive experience in commercial real estate / project finance, commercial transactions, and entity formations, that possesses a winning blend of subject matter expertise, skill in client relationship management, and practical experience. Leverages a unique mix of legal, strategic, and analytical expertise that consistently meets and surpasses client expectations. Specialties: Commercial Real Estate Law, Contract Negotiation, Entity Formation, Joint Ventures, Procurement, Lease/Buy/Sell Transactions, Business Consultations, Team Leadership, and Economic Development

Harrison K. - Startup Lawyer in Maryland
View Harrison
Member Since:
November 17, 2021

Harrison K.

Attorney and Executive
Free Consultation
Los Angeles
31 Yrs Experience
Licensed in MD CA
California Western School of Law

Harrison Kordestani is an executive with over twenty-five years experience in entertainment and media, energy, technologies, and start-ups. Mr. Kordestani has also developed a specialized legal and strategic consulting practice representing select entertainment, oil and gas, mortgage lending, and technology start-up clientele. He is also deeply passionate about new technologies and has also actively worked in building companies in the video-on-demand, wearable tech, information of things, demand prediction and app-marketing spaces. As an attorney, Mr. Kordestani's focus has been on transactional drafting and negotiation and providing ongoing legal counsel, corporate compliance, and contract interpretation to numerous private individuals as well as companies in varied fields.

Christopher M. - Startup Lawyer in Maryland
View Christopher
Member Since:
May 22, 2023

Christopher M.

Owner of The McKenna Law Group, LLC
Free Consultation
Frederick, Maryland
23 Yrs Experience
Licensed in MD VA
University of Richmond, TC Williams School of Law

Skilled and experienced business attorney with vast experience in a wide array of commercial contracts. Strong emphasis on the lodging and hospitality practice field, including real estate acquisition and disposition, management agreements, franchise agreements, design & construction contracting and finance.

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Startup Legal Questions and Answers

Startup

Convertible Note

Ohio

Asked on Jul 6, 2023

Can a convertible note be transferred?

I am a startup founder and I am considering using a convertible note to raise capital. I am aware that convertible notes are agreements between investors and startups, but I'm not sure if they can be transferred to other investors. I need to know if this is possible so that I can make an informed decision about the best way to raise capital for my business.

Paul S.

Answered Aug 4, 2023

It depends on the terms of the convertible note. If you don't want it to be transferable, then you should include a provision in the note prohibiting transfers, assignments, etc.

Read 1 attorney answer>

Startup

Cofounder Agreement

California

Asked on Jun 14, 2025

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.

Answered Jul 18, 2025

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.

Read 1 attorney answer>

Startup

Convertible Note

California

Asked on Jul 30, 2023

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.

Answered Sep 8, 2023

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.

Read 1 attorney answer>

Startup

LLC

Illinois

Asked on Aug 8, 2023

LLC and management structure?

I am in the process of starting a business and am considering forming a Limited Liability Company (LLC). I want to understand the management structure of an LLC and how it works in practice. I am interested in how the management structure can help protect me from personal liability, and how it can provide a framework for decision-making and dispute resolution.

Talin H.

Answered Aug 25, 2023

Hi, congrats on starting a business! You're asking all of the right questions. The short answer is that your LLC operating agreement can spell out in as much detail as you want what decisions the Manager of the LLC is free to make on their own, and what decisions require a vote from the other Members. You can also elect to have a multi-manager LLC, in which each Manager is responsible for different aspects of the business, such as day-to-day operations versus overall business strategy versus capital raising. Again, each one of these Manager roles can specifically delineate what decisions and actions the Manager can take automatically, without other Members' prior approval. I specialize in business and corporate transactions and have drafted 100s of LLC operating agreements. I would be delighted to help you. Please reach out at talin@hitiklaw.com or call my office at (312)685-2292.

Read 1 attorney answer>

Startup

LLC

Texas

Asked on Oct 26, 2023

What are the benefits of LLC formation?

I am a small business owner looking to expand my operations and protect my personal assets. I am considering forming a Limited Liability Company (LLC) and would like to understand the benefits of doing so. I understand that an LLC provides limited liability for its owners, but I am also interested in the tax implications and other benefits of LLC formation.

Jimmy V.

Answered Nov 3, 2023

The LLC has three advantages over other types of business entities: (1) it creates a liability shield for the owner's personal assets in case the business gets sued; (2) the LLC has "pass-through" taxation - in other words, unlike a corporation, there is no tax due at the entity level. All profits and losses "pass through" to the owner and are accounted for on the owner's individual tax return; (3) the LLC is a simple and flexible business structure that does not require as much paperwork as a corporation.

Read 1 attorney answer>
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