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Meet some of our Astoria Startup Lawyers
Gregory F.
Greg Fidlon has been practicing exclusively in employment law since 1998. He represents and advises clients in all aspects of the employment relationship. In addition to his litigation work, Greg regularly negotiates and drafts corporate policy handbooks, employment contracts, separation agreements and restrictive covenants. He also develops and presents training programs and has spoken and written extensively on labor and employment law topics.
Orly B.
Orly Boger has worked in the high tech industry and in a leading law firm before launching her law firm. Orly focuses on startup companies and technology transactions. She structures and negotiates software and technology license agreements, strategic partnerships, cloud-based/SaaS agreements, internet related transactions, OEM agreements, supply, distribution, telecommunications. In addition, Orly has experience in serving as an in-house legal counsel for start up companies at various phases of their development, providing strategic legal advise to entrepreneurs and emerging companies with a comprehensive understanding of the business and legal issues. She has been helping companies develop a legal strategy for all aspects of their operations, from commercial transactions and partnerships, scalable SaaS or services agreements, privacy policies, employment related policies, open source licensing and much more.
Angela Y.
NJ and NY corporate contract lawyer and founder of a firm specializing in helping entrepreneurs. With a background in law firms, technology, and world class corporate departments, I've handled contracts and negotiations for everything from commercial leases and one-off sales agreements, to multi-million dollar asset sales. I love taking a customer-focused and business-minded approach to helping my clients achieve their goals. Other information: learning to surf, lover of travel, and one-time marathoner (NYC 2018) yulawlegal.com
Danielle G.
Danielle Giovannone is the principal of Danielle D. Giovannone Law Office. In her experience, Danielle has found that many business do not require in-house legal counsel, but still need outside counsel that knows their business just as well as in-house counsel. This need inspired Danielle to start her firm. Before starting her firm, Danielle served as Contracts Counsel at Siena College and as an attorney at the New York City Department of Education, Office of the General Counsel. At the NYCDOE, she served as lead counsel negotiating and drafting large-scale commercial agreements, including contracts with major technology firms on behalf of the school district. Prior to the NYCDOE, Danielle worked as an associate at a small corporate and securities law firm, where she gained hands-on experience right out of law school. Danielle has provided legal and policy advice on intellectual property and data privacy matters, as well as corporate law, formation and compliance, employer liability, insurance, regulatory matters, general municipal matters and non-profit issues. Danielle holds a J.D. from Fordham University School of Law and a B.S. from Cornell University. She is active in her Capital District community providing pro bono services to the Legal Project, and has served as Co-Chair to the Niskayuna Co-op Nursery School and Vice President of Services to the Craig Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization. Danielle is a member of the New York State Bar Association.
Michael J.
Combining extensive experience in litigation and as general counsel for a real estate and private equity company, I provide ongoing guidance and support to clients on a variety of transactional matters, including business formation, partnership agreements, corporate agreements, commercial and residential leasing, and employment issues.
March 23, 2022
Joann H.
I practiced law for the past 22 years in Immigration, Bankruptcy, Foreclosure, Civil Litigation, and Estate Planning. I am interested in downsizing to a more workable schedule to allow the pursuit of other interests.
April 20, 2022
John M.
Seasoned professional with experience in wide variety of contract negotiation and review.
April 27, 2022
Aaron B.
I have been in practice for over 19 years. I have substantial experience across the spectrum of civil practice areas both as a litigator and transactional counsel. This includes: negotiating commercial and real estate transactions, corporate organization, commercial agreements, and resolving commercial disputes, and litigating numerous civil, administrative, and criminal cases through all phases of litigation from trial through appeal, as well as judgment enforcement. My vast experience as a litigator is an asset to my transactional clients. My background in Investigating and proving the breakdown of business relationships in court allows me a unique advantage in drafting, negotiating, and closing business transactions.
May 2, 2022
Dan P.
I primarily work with small businesses and the self-employed. I help my clients build sustainable businesses, navigate risk, and resolve conflicts. Most of my cases involve contract review, drafting, negotiation, and disputes; I also work on business entity formation, employment and independent contractor issues, copyright licenses, trademark registration, and more.
May 6, 2022
Brittany S.
I am licensed in New York and New Jersey. I graduated with my J.D. from Touro University Law Center, Summa Cum Laude, in 2021. In 2018, I graduated from SUNY Farmingdale with a B.S. in Sport Management and a minor in Business Management. I have experience in real estate law and insurance defense, including employment law. Please note, I do not carry malpractice insurance.
August 9, 2022
Bolaji O.
Bolaji O. Okunnu is an entertainment lawyer and founder of the Okunnu Law Group, PLLC based in New York, New York. His practice includes work in the area of copyright, trademark, contract, intellectual property and business law. As an entertainment attorney, Bolaji represents a diverse roster of celebrities, record labels, music publishers, artists, bands, entrepreneurs, authors, songwriters, artist managers, record producers and entertainment executives concerning their intellectual property, business affairs and creative assets. He is an expert at solving complex and sophisticated legal and business issues relating to contracts, copyrights and trademarks. With his background in both the law and the music business, he brings a broad perspective to problem-solving and business plan strategies. He also has an extraordinary ability to speak to the hearts of creatives while helping them discover their voice and clarify their creative dreams and assignments.
September 6, 2022
Daniel F.
An experienced attorney with a varied range of legal abilities. Focusing on real estate transactions and general commercial litigation.
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Browse Lawyers NowStartup Legal Questions and Answers
Startup
New York
Once my options have vested for the startup I am working for, can I sell them?
I am an early employee for a startup that has raised money in the past year. I will have some of my options vested soon and wanted to know if I was able to sell them.
Ramsey T.
It depends upon when you vest and whether or not you have a "market" for the shares. You must satisfy a holding requirement for your vested shares under US securities laws that requires that you hold your shares for at least one (1) year. The vesting period is added in - so, for example, if you vested in your options six months after receiving them and then exercised your options and tried to sell your shares, you would be in violation of US securities laws. After a one year holding period you may sell them. You might, however, have restrictions, such as a "Right of First Refusal" (a "ROFR") or other restrictions on selling your shares. Its worth checking all the documents and restrictions.
Startup
Convertible Note
New York
Do startups use convertible notes?
I am working to figure out what I should use for a group of investors I am speaking to about my startup. We're a technology company that is very early on. We want to raise a bit of money so we can further develop our software and pay the founders.
Ramsey T.
Start-ups do raise capital through the use of Convertible Notes. Convertible Notes are starting to fade as the preferred sort of convertible instrument for start-ups and as SAFES become more prevalent. Convertible Notes are still quite common in more "traditional" start-up industries, such as those that involve real estate, manufacturing and other legacy industries.
Startup
Founders' Agreement
Alabama
How to issue stock to co-founder?
I have some questions about granting stock to co-founder below. Thank you for answering my questions. 1. Company A plans to offer stock options (1000 shares) to employees. These stock options come with a vesting plan. Before the stock options vest, who are holding the stocks (1000 shares)? Or the stocks are to be issued only if the employees decide to exercise? 2. Vesting stock for co-founders: Mr. A founds a company and he invites Mr. B to join as a co-founder. Mr. B tells Mr. A that he wants to put in money as well and therefore wants to have 30% of the company. Mr. A, after reading a lot of information on Contractscounsel.com, thinks that he should give Mr. B vesting stock options rather than outright stocks, as that would help him help him avoid possible problems if Mr. B decides to leave the company after several months. What is the best way for Mr. A to handle this situation while keeping Mr. B interested?
Jane C.
2. The best way for Mr. A to address his concerns and keep Mr. B interested is by offering him restricted stock that vests over time. Mr. B will receive dividends and have the right to vote; however, the Company can buy the unvested shares back if Mr. B decides to leave the Company before a certain period of time. Disclaimer - This information is provided for general informational purposes only. No information contained in this post should be construed as legal advice and does not establish an attorney-client relationship.
Startup
Shareholders Agreement
Ohio
How to track shareholders agreements?
I am a business owner and I have recently incorporated my business. As part of the incorporation process, I have created a shareholders agreement with my co-founders. I am looking to ensure that this agreement is properly tracked, documented, and monitored over time. I am seeking guidance on the best methods to track shareholders agreements and any advice on how to ensure the agreement is being followed.
Paul S.
There are cap table management companies such as Carta and Pulley, that can help with this (for a fee). As long as your company has only issued common stock, maintaining a cap table and stock ledger in Excel is more than adequate. I also recommend storing PDFs of the stock purchase agreements in a cloud-based folder labeled "Stock Purchase Agreements." In terms of officer roles, the corporation's Secretary is responsible for maintaining these shareholder records.
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.
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Related Contracts
- 501c3 Application
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- Annual Report
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