Startup Lawyers for Tennessee
Looking for a startup lawyer in Tennessee?
ContractsCounsel helps businesses across Tennessee hire vetted startup lawyers, offering fixed-fee quotes with the first proposal typically arriving in just a few hours.
Hire a Lawyer for 60% Less than Traditional Law Firms
Meet some of our Tennessee Startup Lawyers
Forest H.
Forest is a general practice lawyer. He provides legal advice regarding small business law, contracts, estates and trusts, administrative law, corporate governance and compliance. Forest practiced complex commercial litigation in Florida for eight years, representing clients such as Host Marriott, Kellogg School of Business, and Toyota. Since moving to Nashville in 2005, he has provided legal advice to clients forming new businesses, planning for the future, and seeking funding through the use of equity and/or debt in their businesses. This advice has included the selection of business type, assistance in drafting and editing their business plans and offering material, reviewing proposed term sheets, and conducting due diligence. Forest is a member of the Florida, Tennessee, and Texas Bars; in addition. Forest has held a Series 7, General Securities Representative Exam, Series 24, General Securities Principal, and Series 63, Uniform Securities Agent State Law.
"I had a great experience working with Forest Hamilton during the acquisition process. Forest was professional, responsive, and easy to work with throughout the APA drafting and review process. Communication was clear, revisions were handled quickly, and he helped keep the transaction moving smoothly from start to finish. I appreciated his professionalism and willingness to answer questions throughout the process. Would definitely recommend him to others needing support with business acquisition agreements and transaction-related legal work. Thanks again, Forest."
Jessee B.
Jessee B.
Whether you’re a founder, business owner, creative professional, creator, entertainer, influencer, podcaster, content creator, athlete, artist, actor, model, musician, startup, nonprofit, or entrepreneur, Creative Counsel Law is here to help you launch, scale, and protect your brand. We understand the unique challenges and opportunities of turning your vision into reality. That’s why we provide legal expertise, personalized counsel, and innovative solutions designed to meet your needs. Services include: > Creative Industry Counsel: Legal guidance for creators and creative professionals related to branding, design, writing, film, music, art, entertainment, social media, e-commerce, marketing, advertising, Name, Image, & Likeness (NIL), intellectual property, content creation, ownership, licensing, collaboration agreements, brand development and protection. > Fractional General Counsel: Ongoing legal guidance and support for businesses of all sizes. > Business Formation, Support & Legal Strategy: Tailored legal services and support to meet your business needs, including entity formation (partnerships, LLCs, corporations), corporate governance, compliance, strategic planning, financing, mergers and acquisitions, transactions, risk management, employment agreements, operational contracts, and regulatory guidance. > Intellectual Property: Trademark and copyright search, registration, renewal, and strategic solutions to safeguard your brand, creative assets, and intellectual property rights. > Contract Review, Drafting, & Negotiations: Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating agreements to protect your interests and advocate for the compensation you deserve; employment contracts, partnership agreements, vendor contracts, licensing deals, confidentiality agreements, joint venture agreements, service agreements, and more. > Startup & Nonprofit Guidance: Compliance strategies and support for growth and sustainability. > Real Estate Assistance: Guidance and expertise for property title issues, purchases, sales, leasing, contract negotiations, and compliance with real estate laws and regulations. At Creative Counsel Law, we combine legal expertise with a client-centered approach to empower innovators and entrepreneurs across industries. Your vision deserves a legal partner who understands both your business goals and your creative passions. Want to work together? Reach out to hello@creativecounsellaw.com and let us know what you need help with.
Rebecca R.
Experienced attorneyin leasing, NDA, family law, commercial real estate, immigration and employment . Well versed in internal and external policy document and manual creation.
"Quickly understood our requirements and created a customized doc to meet our needs with a fast turnaround... We'd definitely work with Rebecca again!"
Christina S.
I am an attorney who has been practicing for over a decade, experienced in multiple areas of law, both from a litigation and more procedural side. The great thing about my practice is that it has trained me to deal with so many different types of problems and to find solutions in a variety of legal scenarios that are almost never similar.
"Christina was prompt and friendly and walked me through the steps I needed to take to file for my name change! She made the process much less intimidating and I highly recommend her services."
Dean F.
Ferraro Law Firm was founded by Dean C. Ferraro. Dean earned his Bachelor's Degree from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona ("Cal Poly Pomona") in 1992 and his J.D. Degree from the University of Mississippi School of Law ("Ole Miss") in 1996. He is licensed to practice law in the State Courts of Colorado, Tennessee, and California. Dean is also admitted to practice before the United States District Courts of Colorado (District of Colorado), California (Central District), and Tennessee (Eastern District). Shortly after earning his law license and working for a private law firm, Dean joined the District Attorney's office, where he worked for five successful years as one of the leading prosecuting attorneys in the State of Tennessee. After seven years of practicing law in Tennessee, Dean moved back to his birth state and practiced law in California from 2003-2015. In 2015, Dean moved with his family to Colorado, practicing law in beautiful Castle Rock, where he is recognized as a highly-effective attorney, well-versed in many areas of law. Dean's career has entailed practicing multiple areas of law, including civil litigation with a large law firm, prosecuting criminal cases as an Assistant District Attorney, In-House Counsel for Safeco Insurance, and as the founding member of an online law group that helped thousands of people get affordable legal services. Pursuing his passion for helping others, Dean now utilizes his legal and entrepreneurial experience to help his clients in their personal and business lives. Dean is also a bestselling author of two legal thrillers, Murder in Santa Barbara and Murder in Vail. He currently is working on his next legal thriller, The Grove Conspiracy, set to be published in 2023.
"I would highly recommend Contract Counsel to friends or family. I received bids relatively quickly and was able to find the best fit for my situation."
Robert M.
Robert is a sixth-generation Tennessean and part of a long line of Tennessee attorneys: There has been a Marks attorney in Tennessee since 1856. In 1929, Robert’s great-grandfather established an event venue, Shadowbrook, which Robert has worked at his entire life, including managing for 10 years. He knows what business owners are dealing with—especially venue owners—because he has dealt with it. While Robert loves the hospitality industry, he pursued his passion. In 2016, Robert decided to attend law school and continue managing the business. He thrived. He was a founding member of the Nashville School of Law's Legal Aid Society, received the Tennessee Supreme Court’s Law Student for Justice award, and interned with the Tennessee Supreme Court's Access to Justice Commission. Before co-founding Mercury Legal Group, Robert focused on estate planning in solo practice. In this role, he helped clients protect what they had spent a lifetime building. Now he helps his clients build their businesses by providing tailored legal services.
"Robert is so professional and yet friendly! He was very easy to work with. I explained my situation and he has immediate solutions to get everything worked out. I’m su with his work ethic and overall attentiveness to the project. He will be my new lawyer moving on."
Connie C.
Connie Chadwick presently focuses her law practice in Tennessee on flat fee legal services which commonly include family court settlements such as divorces, child support orders, custody agreements; contracts; business formation services; and estate plans. Connie is also a Tennessee licensed residential general contractor with over fifteen years of experience in the construction field. With both legal and construction experience, Connie is a logical choice for contractor disputes. Connie earned her Doctorate of Jurisprudence from The Nashville School of Law after earning her Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance from Lipscomb University. www.conniechadwicklaw.com Connie Chadwick is recognized by peers and was selected to SuperLawyers Rising Stars for 2017 - 2023. This selection is based off of an evaluation of 12 indicators including peer recognition and professional achievement in legal practice. Being selected to Rising Stars is limited to a small number of attorneys in each state. As one of the few attorneys to garner the distinction of Rising Stars, Connie Chadwick has earned the respect of peers as one of the top-rated attorneys in the nation.
"Connie was a pleasure to work with and provided thorough legal advice that I was able to make actionable decisions on. Thank you Connie!!"
November 18, 2021
Abraham W.
Abraham's practice focuses on counseling emerging group companies in the technology and other commercial agreements, and assisting equity financings (specifically venture capital).
Amos M.
Since 2008, I have worked to assist clients in solving problems and addressing challenges that inevitably arise as a business grows - both anticipated and unexpected. My experience in Georgia and Tennessee in both drafting contracts and enforcing them via litigation and/or arbitration has provided clients with unique insights that help them anticipate problems and inform their decisions from start to finish.
May 17, 2022
Jerry L.
Jerry provides legal advice to business owners regarding contracts, business law, labor & employment, wills and estates, and real estate.
John M.
John has extensive leadership experience in various industries, including hospitality and event-based businesses, then co-founded a successful event bar company in 2016. As co-founder, John routinely negotiated agreements with venues, suppliers, and other external partners, swiftly reaching agreement while protecting the brand and strategic objectives of the company. He leverages his business experience to provide clients with strategic legal counsel and negotiates attractive terms.
October 30, 2023
James S.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-swindle/
Find the best lawyer for your project
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
Alabama
State of Texas - questions regarding an online business (Nanny Placement Agency) in the Houston area.
Seeking an attorney for advice as to what I need to start up an online business, specifically a Nanny Placement Agency. Do I need a license in the state of Texas and what do I need to protect myself against possible unforeseen lawsuits. I will be living in the Houston area soon but want to start my online business remotely (Michigan) asap. I have an LLC in Michigan already, I assume I may need one in Texas as well, is this correct?
Jimmy V.
Hello, I can help you with this project. I’m a semi-retired, long-time Texas attorney with substantial experience in business and corporate law. I counsel startups and small businesses, help them set up corporations or LLCs across the country and draft a variety of contracts and corporate documents. You should have an LLC for liability protections, whether it's in Michigan or in Texas. Actually, you would be better off organizing a Texas LLC because your Michigan LLC would have to register in Texas so you would be paying extra fees. There is no licensing requirement for nanny agencies in Texas. If you are interested, I will make you a flat fee bid to set up an LLC for you here in Texas. Thx. JV PS For more information about business entities, download a free copy of my ebook "Should Your Small Business Become a Corporation or an LLC? A Look at Liabilities, State & Federal Taxation & More!" from my website types-of-business-ownership.com
Startup
C Corp
Ohio
C corp and equity dilution?
I am an entrepreneur who is in the process of forming a C Corp. I am looking to raise capital to fund my business and I am considering issuing equity to potential investors. I am concerned that issuing equity to investors could lead to dilution of my ownership, so I am looking for legal advice on the best way to structure my equity offerings to minimize dilution.
Paul S.
If you want to avoid dilution, then you need to fund the business with your own resources, and pay all your workers with money rather than equity. Otherwise, when building a business, dilution is simply a reality you have to live with. You can start out with a large amount of ownership, for example, 80% of the authorized shares, but over time dilution is inevitable. Which would you rather have, 90% of a company worth $200,000, or 55% of a company worth $1 million?
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.
Quick, user friendly and one of the better ways I've come across to get ahold of lawyers willing to take new clients.
View Trustpilot ReviewHow It Works
Post Your Project
Get Free Bids to Compare
Hire Your Lawyer
Startup lawyers by top cities
- Austin Startup Lawyers
- Boston Startup Lawyers
- Chicago Startup Lawyers
- Dallas Startup Lawyers
- Denver Startup Lawyers
- Houston Startup Lawyers
- Los Angeles Startup Lawyers
- New York Startup Lawyers
- Phoenix Startup Lawyers
- San Diego Startup Lawyers
- Tampa Startup Lawyers
Startup lawyers by nearby cities
- Chattanooga Startup Lawyers
- Clarksville Startup Lawyers
- Knoxville Startup Lawyers
- Memphis Startup Lawyers
- Murfreesboro Startup Lawyers
- Nashville Startup Lawyers
Contracts Counsel was incredibly helpful and easy to use. I submitted a project for a lawyer's help within a day I had received over 6 proposals from qualified lawyers. I submitted a bid that works best for my business and we went forward with the project.
View Trustpilot Review
I never knew how difficult it was to obtain representation or a lawyer, and ContractsCounsel was EXACTLY the type of service I was hoping for when I was in a pinch. Working with their service was efficient, effective and made me feel in control. Thank you so much and should I ever need attorney services down the road, I'll certainly be a repeat customer.
View Trustpilot Review
I got 5 bids within 24h of posting my project. I choose the person who provided the most detailed and relevant intro letter, highlighting their experience relevant to my project. I am very satisfied with the outcome and quality of the two agreements that were produced, they actually far exceed my expectations.
View Trustpilot ReviewHow It Works
Post Your Project
Get Free Bids to Compare
Hire Your Lawyer