Startup Lawyers for New York

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Meet some of our New York Startup Lawyers

John M. - Startup Lawyer in New York
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5.0 (1)
Member Since:
June 4, 2024

John M.

Senior Corporate Counsel
Free Consultation
Foxboro, MA
26 Yrs Experience
Licensed in NY MA
Boston University School of Law (J.D.)

John Mercer is a distinguished corporate counsel who is well-known for turning legal challenges into strategic assets. He possesses a deep understanding and expertise in intellectual property (IP), compliance, and corporate law, particularly in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors. His proficiency lies in transforming legal complexities into strategic advantages, ensuring operational excellence, and driving innovation forward. John excels at safeguarding an organization's legal interests and integrity, ensuring operations adhere to the law. As a strategic leader, John excels at safeguarding an organization’s legal interests and integrity, ensuring operations adhere to the law. He also brings immense value to his profession through his skills in drafting, negotiating, and managing significant agreements that secure organizational interests with widespread industry impact. His unparalleled expertise in legal advisories significantly enhances compliance and develops risk management frameworks that protect and advance company ambitions. Moreover, John's command over patent and trademark portfolios, alongside his ability to drive innovation initiatives and design incentive schemes, substantially bolsters intellectual property prowess. John's areas of expertise are extensive, covering skills vital to corporate law, legal contract negotiations, material transfer agreements, and more. He is particularly adept in regulatory compliance, legal consulting, clinical trials, biotechnology, patents, and patent portfolio analysis, to name a few. His leadership is complemented by active listening, analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and other soft skills that make him a leader and visionary.

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
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"Thank you John, I appreciate your very personal effort with quality and practicality in mind."

Umar F. - Startup Lawyer in New York
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4.4 (3)
Member Since:
April 24, 2024

Umar F.

Startup Legal Counsel
Free Consultation
New York
18 Yrs Experience
Licensed in NY DC
University at Buffalo School of Law

Hi, I'm Umar from CounselX. I started off doing domestic and international corporate law work at the world's largest law firm Dentons and then moved in-house as Head of Legal of an investment bank before starting my own firm in 2012. We have been a trusted legal resource for founders since our inception. My team has helped over 1,000 startups launch, grow and thrive. When it comes to corporate and commercial law matters, you need an attorney that not only has a deep understanding of the law, but is passionate about your companys continued success. Whether it's helping to get your business off the ground or handling tough negotiations in a pivotal transaction, I'm available to provide insightful legal counsel and trustworthy guidance. To learn if I'm the right fit, schedule a free 15-minute introductory call with me.

Jodi B. - Startup Lawyer in New York
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Member Since:
April 1, 2025

Jodi B.

Attorney
Free Consultation
Mount Laurel NJ
23 Yrs Experience
Licensed in NY OH
Western New England University

I'm a New York Attorney, who would love to review contracts, negotiate on your behalf, review title, and inspection reports to ensure you buy or sell your home with marketable title.

Romina S. - Startup Lawyer in New York
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Member Since:
April 18, 2024

Romina S.

Managing Attorney
Free Consultation
Morristown, NJ
20 Yrs Experience
Licensed in NY NJ
St. John's University School of Law

Attorney licensed in New York and New Jersey with over 15 years of experience in Real Estate, Property Law and Collection/Debt Defense Law.

Akash K. - Startup Lawyer in New York
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Member Since:
May 2, 2024

Akash K.

Partner
Free Consultation
San Francisco, California
10 Yrs Experience
Licensed in NY DC, NJ
Brooklyn Law School

Practicing in New York, New Jersey, New Delhi & Gurgaon, Akash’s cross-border practice focuses on immigration, intellectual property law, entertainment law and transactional law. With a Juris Doctor from Brooklyn Law School, an LLM from NLSIU, and a master’s in management from Lancaster University, Akash is highly qualified to deliver comprehensive and effective legal solutions to all his clients. Akash's immigration law practice focuses on work-based and family-based immigrant and non-immigrant visas. His expertise spans a variety of services in this sector – including petitions, applications, pre-petition compliances, changes of status, employment authorization, derivative applications, maintenance of status, and much more. He also provides consular law services within India. Akash has a strong academic and practical background in Intellectual Property Rights and Media Law. His practice includes IPR registration, IPR management, IPR auditing, pre- and post-publication review, piracy and copyright matters, media law compliances, and more. Akash's international commercial and transactional law practice specializes in cross-border transactions, business structuring, investments, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions. His alternative dispute resolution practice, both as a commercial mediator, has resulted in successfully resolving disputes over family affairs, business concerns, and commercial disputes. He is a registered a certified commercial mediator with the Indian Institute of Arbitration and Mediation.

Thomas C. - Startup Lawyer in New York
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Member Since:
May 3, 2024

Thomas C.

Attorney
Free Consultation
New York, NY
22 Yrs Experience
Licensed in NY
Brooklyn Law School

I’ve been an attorney for over 20 years practicing mainly in the insurance industry. I’ve worked for law firms, insurance carriers, and insurance brokerages. I currently have my own firm where I help companies manage risk, insurance coverage issues and other business related matters.

Harry R. - Startup Lawyer in New York
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Member Since:
May 12, 2024

Harry R.

Founding Attorney
Free Consultation
Brooklyn, New York
9 Yrs Experience
Licensed in NY NJ
Cardozo School of Law

Attorney with a legal practice focused on providing clarity to clients on matters relating to privacy/cybersecurity, marketing/media, and technology/blockchain.

Jim Z. - Startup Lawyer in New York
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Member Since:
May 31, 2024

Jim Z.

Associate
Free Consultation
New York/Los Angeles
8 Yrs Experience
Licensed in NY
Brooklyn Law School

I graduated honors from the University of Iowa, University of Chicago and Brooklyn Law School. I’m an innovative corporate M&A attorney with 7 years of experience and a software developer experienced in front end development. A highly experienced and entrepreneurial lawyer, I work primarily with business owners and founders in connection with mergers and acquisitions, securities law and software contracts.

Robert C. - Startup Lawyer in New York
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Member Since:
June 5, 2024

Robert C.

Attorney
Free Consultation
Elkhart, Indiana
39 Yrs Experience
Licensed in NY VA
University of Buffalo Law School

A highly motivated, dedicated attorney (and military veteran) with proven experience in executive corporate leadership, legal risk mitigation, litigation, and legal department management. Skilled in collaborating with all members of the organization to achieve business and financial objectives with high-profile corporations. Instrumental in streamlining and improving processes, enhancing productivity, and implementing sound legal and business solutions.

kumar p. - Startup Lawyer in New York
View kumar
Member Since:
June 23, 2024

kumar p.

Attorney
Free Consultation
Ny
27 Yrs Experience
Licensed in NY
University of connecticut

24 years experience handling Estate planning, corporate transactions, real estate and drafting of contracts, have represented numerous start ups in New York City and have drafted all types of commercial and investment documents for clients.

Merrill B. - Startup Lawyer in New York
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Member Since:
June 11, 2024

Merrill B.

IT & Commercial Counsel
Free Consultation
New York, NY
21 Yrs Experience
Licensed in NY
Quinnipiac University School of Law

I am an experienced commercial and technology transactions attorney who works with cross functional teams on large scale domestic and international commercial and technology B2B agreements for SaaS, software, and various commercial services, supporting sales, sourcing and business owners. This entails counseling, drafting and negotiation of IP, security, privacy, and liability issues, along with SLAs, SOWs, and Orders, giving business oriented advice, along with writing that is clear and concise. I enjoy giving practical business minded advice in a straight forward manner to clients, regardless of whether the issue is legal, business or financial.

Peter C. - Startup Lawyer in New York
View Peter
Member Since:
June 25, 2024

Peter C.

Managing Attorney
Free Consultation
New York
8 Yrs Experience
Licensed in NY
St. John's University School of Law

A lawyer for small businesses throughout NY. Obtain affordable legal assistance for your business & personal needs without having to pay inflated hourly rates or retain costly, full-time legal counsel. Helps with licensing, contracts, corporate formation, problems with employees, litigation management/avoidance, regulatory compliance, and intellectual property, among other things.

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Startup Legal Questions and Answers

Startup

New York

Asked on Mar 30, 2021

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.

Answered Mar 30, 2021

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.

Read 1 attorney answer>

Startup

Convertible Note

New York

Asked on Mar 30, 2021

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.

Answered Mar 30, 2021

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.

Read 1 attorney answer>

Startup

Shareholders Agreement

Ohio

Asked on Jun 12, 2023

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.

Answered Jun 23, 2023

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.

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

Convertible Note

Ohio

Asked on May 20, 2023

Convertible note interest rate?

I am a tech startup founder and am considering raising capital through a convertible note. I am interested in finding out what the typical interest rate is for these types of investments. I understand that the rate can vary, but I am looking for a general range of what I can expect.

Paul S.

Answered May 23, 2023

Generally the rate is pretty low - for example, 5% is what I've used over the years, with little pushback. Keep in mind, investors don't do convertible notes for the interest income, they do them for the upside from converting into preferred stock with liquidation preferences, anti-dilution protection, etc. If a potential investor is really focused on the interest rate, that tells you that the investor has little or no experience investing in startups. Also, regarding the interest in general, it typically just accrues, rather than being paid out each year. When interest accrues for more than a year, the startup can claim the amount of accrued interest as an expense on its P&L and taxes, and the investor should recognize the amount of accrued interest as interest income, even if it hasn't been paid out.

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