Startup Terms Glossary
What is Directors and Officers Insurance?
Directors and officers insurance is a policy protecting a board of directors and executive officers if they get sued for negligent or tortious acts when managing a startup. It protects them against claims resulting from employees, competitors, and other third parties. This insurance type will pay for attorneys’ fees, court costs, and damages.
Directors and Officers Insurance Law Examples
Examples of covered events that directors and officers insurance will pay includes:
- Example 1. Breach of contract
- Example 2. Misappropriation of company funds
- Example 3. Fraudulent activity
- Example 4. Negligent corporate governance
- Example 5. Intellectual property theft
Learn about directors and officers insurance on this page .
ContractsCounsel is not a law firm, and this post should not be considered and does not contain legal advice. To ensure the information and advice in this post are correct, sufficient, and appropriate for your situation, please consult a licensed attorney. Also, using or accessing ContractsCounsel's site does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and ContractsCounsel.
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Philips V.
General Counsel for Construction and Related Legal Services - Although Phil specializes in construction-related law, Phil’s law practice areas include commercial, construction, contract, criminal, employment, ERISA, energy, environmental, OSHA, government, immigration, insurance, labor (EEOC, FLSA, FMLA, COBRA, etc.), personal injury, product liability, real estate, surety, utilities, and workers’ compensation, amongst others.
"I hired Philips for a limited-scope review of a fairly complicated commercial lease and payment dispute involving several years of leases, accounting ledgers, payment records, correspondence, and a draft pre-suit demand. Philips did an excellent job. He carefully reviewed the underlying documents, identified both the strengths and potential weaknesses of my position, addressed possible defenses and procedural issues, and provided a detailed written memorandum with clear, actionable recommendations. What impressed me most was his thoroughness. He addressed a number of additional questions that went beyond the basic scope of what I originally requested because he felt they were important to properly evaluating the matter. He also communicated clearly throughout the process and asked thoughtful questions rather than making assumptions when something needed clarification. I came away with a much better understanding of my legal position and a clear path forward. I would absolutely work with Philips again and would recommend him to anyone looking for an attorney who is thorough, practical, responsive, and willing to dig into the details."
Nichelle W.
August 12, 2026
Nichelle W.
I help business owners, founders, employers, athletes, creators and families get contracts and legal documents done right the first time, at a flat fee agreed before any work starts. I am licensed in Florida (2021) and Washington, D.C. (2022). I practice as a business and contracts attorney and outside general counsel with Amethyst Law Group, and previously served as Florida Managing Attorney at Lento Law Group. Before that I sat on the business side of the table as General Manager and General Counsel of a professional basketball organization and as Deputy Commissioner of a start-up sports league, so I have negotiated, drafted and enforced the same agreements I now prepare and review for clients: sponsorship and vendor deals, player, coaching and staff contracts, employment and independent contractor agreements, licensing and brand deals. What I handle on ContractsCounsel: - Contract drafting, review and redlining: service agreements, MSAs, NDAs, vendor and supplier agreements, sponsorship, licensing, endorsement and brand deals - Business formation and governance: LLCs and corporations, operating agreements, bylaws, partnership and shareholder agreements, founder and equity arrangements - Employment and hiring: offer letters, employment agreements, independent contractor agreements, non-compete and confidentiality agreements, separation and severance agreements, handbooks and policies - Sports, entertainment and creator agreements: athlete representation, NIL, sponsorship, appearance, management and agency agreements (licensed FIBA agent) - Real estate: purchase and sale agreements, residential and commercial leases, contract review before you sign - Wills, trusts, powers of attorney and estate planning documents - Demand letters, cease and desist letters and pre-dispute contract enforcement - Ongoing outside general counsel support for small and growing businesses How I work: Every project starts with a fixed price and a delivery date you can plan around. You receive a plain-English summary of what the document does, what I changed and why, and any risks you should know about, not just a marked-up file. Two rounds of revisions are included so the final draft is exactly what you need, and I respond to messages the same business day. Credentials: J.D., Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law, summa cum laude, top 5% of class, Senior Editor of the Southern Journal of Policy and Justice, Dean's Certificate of Professionalism, 300+ pro bono hours; M.S. Forensic Psychology (4.0 GPA); M.S.Ed. Sports Administration, University of Miami; B.A. English Language and Literature, Southern New Hampshire University. Recognized as an Elite Lawyer recipient. Malpractice insurance carried. Litigation background: first-chair trial attorney with experience in business, employment, real estate, consumer protection and family matters. I draft every contract with a clear view of how it will hold up if it is ever tested.
August 14, 2026
Hunter M.
Before law school I built the contract management system for a publicly traded medical device company — so I read your agreement the way the people who have to live with it will, not just the way a court would. I draft and review business contracts on a fixed fee, with the delivery date agreed before I start. You get the redlined document plus a short written summary of what I changed, why it matters, and what I'd push back on if the other side objects. Revisions are included — I'd rather get the document right than count rounds. NDAs, MSAs and SOWs, contractor and employment agreements, SaaS terms, terms of service and privacy policies, operating agreements, vendor and construction contracts, and full contract review with a plain-English risk summary. Send me the document and what you're trying to accomplish with it, and I'll come back with a fixed fee and a date.
August 19, 2026
Kenneth B.
A corporate and real estate attorney with 35+ years experience with an emphasis on real estate, finance, commercial contracts, commercial and residential purchase and sale contracts, title insurance, commercial leasing, business contracts and employment contracts.
August 19, 2026
Liliana O.
Liliana O’Shea founded and leads Escorcia Law, P.C., a corporate generalist firm focused on transactional matters for businesses across industries. She works with organizations of varying sizes — from small and mid-size businesses to larger corporations — advising on a broad range of corporate and regulatory matters, industry-agnostic in her approach. A Spanish-speaking immigrant from Barranquilla, Colombia, she completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Colorado and earned her law degree from The John Marshall Law School in Chicago in 2011. Her clients note her focus on asking key questions early in a matter to build the right strategy for each engagement. She lives in Chicago with her husband and young daughters.
August 25, 2026
Joshua C.
I am a Washington, D.C. attorney and business advisor focused on contracts, employment matters, and practical legal solutions for businesses, entrepreneurs, and professionals. I draft, review, and negotiate commercial agreements, including service and consulting agreements, independent contractor agreements, NDAs, employment and separation agreements, vendor contracts, and other business arrangements. My background in law and senior HR leadership allows me to evaluate both legal risk and real-world business considerations. I provide clear, responsive counsel designed to protect clients’ interests while helping them move business decisions forward efficiently.
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