Startup Lawyers for Lansing, Michigan
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Melissa G.
I provide practical, plain-English legal guidance to solopreneurs and small businesses who want to build strong foundations and make informed decisions with confidence. With 20+ years of experience—including 16 years in-house advising senior and executive leaders—I bring the insight of a trusted legal partner who understands how legal strategy supports long-term business growth. My clients walk away feeling supported, seen, and empowered. They know I genuinely care about their success and bring more than just legal knowledge—I bring a coach’s mindset, a problem-solver’s lens, and a commitment to helping them protect what they’ve worked hard to build. Whether you’re reviewing contracts, forming your business, protecting your brand, or need ongoing legal support, I’m here to deliver clear, actionable guidance and solutions that fit your business.
David H.
Michigan licensed attorney. A compelling combination of technology, sourcing, sales, and legal experience. Over 20 years in technology positions negotiating technology engagements and contracts. General practice legal experience. Significant IT contracts experience (from IT sourcing/procurement) with the State of Michigan and Zimmer Biomet (Fortune 500). Excellent people, negotiation, and writing skills; keen eye for continuous improvement. Trusted business partner co-leading or supporting cross-functional integrated business/IT projects.
"David was great! Went above and beyond what was needed and really gave me a fresh perspective on the contract I needed consulting on."
Curt B.
Curt Brown has experience advising clients on a variety of franchising, business litigation, transactional, and securities law matters. Mr. Brown's accolades include: - Super Lawyers Rising Star - California Lawyer of the Year by The Daily Journal - Pro Bono Attorney of the Year the USC Public Interest Law Fund Curt started his legal career in the Los Angeles office of the prestigious firm of Irell & Manella LLP, where his practice focused on a wide variety of complex civil litigation matters, including securities litigation, antitrust, trademark, bankruptcy, and class action defense. Mr. Brown also has experience advising mergers and acquisitions and international companies concerning cyber liability and class action defense. He is admitted in California, Florida, D.C., Washington, Illinois, Colorado, and Michigan.
"I was very impressed with the responsiveness and knowledge brought to my situation."
Blake L.
I am a sole practitioner who has been in practice for over 25 years. I have represented many small businesses during this time. Let me bring my expertise to your business.
August 4, 2020
Christopher J.
Experienced attorney focusing on estate planning, probate administration, business formation and counseling, and consumer bankruptcy.
June 21, 2021
George B.
I help start-ups, small businesses, and people realize their potential by leveraging my legal and technological experience. Legally skilled in employment law, intellectual property, corporate law, and real estate transactions.
December 4, 2021
Brittany B.
Brittany advises startups and emerging and public companies at all stages of growth, with focuses on formation and corporate governance matters, securities, venture capital financings, M&A and other strategic transactions, commercial contracts and general corporate counseling. Brittany represents clients across a broad spectrum of industries, including technology, automotive, mobility, digital health, consumer products and manufacturing.
September 4, 2022
Deborah W.
Williamson Health Law is an established and trusted law firm focused on representing hospitals, health plans, physician groups, physicians, physical therapy businesses, psychologists and other health care providers, professionals, and businesses in all aspects of health law. including the Stark law, the Anti-Kickback Statute (“AKS”), the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (“HIPAA”), regulatory compliance, Medicare and Blue Cross audits and overpayment appeals, payer departicipation and disaffiliation appeals, payer and provider disputes, reimbursement and billing, compliance plans, health care industry contracts and professional licensure. We represent clients throughout Michigan and the U.S. with certain federal matters such as federal regulatory analysis and Medicare audits.
Ari G.
Ari is a transactional attorney with substantial experience serving clients in regulated industries. He has worked extensively with companies in regulated state cannabis markets on developing governance documents (LLC operating agreements, corporate bylaws, etc...), as well as drafting and negotiating all manner of business and real estate contracts.
Evan F.
Evan Ficaj Law Firm empowers Michigan entrepreneurs with personalized legal solutions in M&A, LLC, business, contract, entertainment, trademark, and copyright law.
June 15, 2023
David T.
David Trentadue has been practicing law since 1994. He received his Bachelors’ Degrees in History and Political Science from the University of New Orleans and his Juris Doctor, cum laude, from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School. Currently in private practice, his areas of concentration include Estate Planning, Probate and Trust Administration, Real Estate, Business Formations and Corporate Governance. He is licensed in all state and federal courts in Michigan. He is also a Licensed Title Examiner
Andy K.
Licensed in MI since 2010. Practiced SSDI appeals and auto negligence for over a decade until 12/2022 when I left largest personal injury firm In MI to open my own estate planning firm. Looking for part-time contract/remote work to supplement income as I build my own practice.
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Browse Lawyers NowStartup Legal Questions and Answers
Startup
Terms Sheet
California
What are the most important things to look at in a term sheet?
I am expecting to get a few term sheets from investors in the next month. I want to know what I should be looking for.
Ramsey T.
Every term in a term sheet, by definition is important. A term sheet is a summary of the most important parts of a "deal" - a way of getting to and negotiating the hear of the deal before filling in the gaps with boilerplate. Therefore, you should make sure that you understand all of what has been proposed and negotiated in the term sheet - even the provision that don't seem that important - because they wouldn't be in the term sheet if they weren't a key term to one side or the other.
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
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.
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.
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
Convertible Note
Ohio
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.
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.
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