Startup Terms Glossary
What is a Board Observer?
Board observers are startup board members who don’t possess voting rights and are generally sent from investors. In some situations, other board members may ask board observers to leave a room for private discussions unless otherwise agreed. Remaining open to a board observer can open a startup to additional funding opportunities.
Board Observer Examples
Examples of startup financiers who may use board observers include:
- Example 1. Venture capitalists (VCs)
- Example 2. Angel investors
- Example 3. Corporate capitalists (CCs)
- Example 4. Small business investors
- Example 5. Economic business developers
- Example 6: Banks
- Example 7: Credit unions
Here is an article that goes further into Board Observers.
Meet some of our Startup Lawyers
Fabian G.
Fabian graduated with honors from the University of Miami School of law, where he served as the articles and comments editor for the law school's Race and Social Justice Law Review. He received the John F. Evans Memorial Scholarship Award for excellence in the university's Litigation Skills Program and the HOPE Pro Bono award for completing more than one hundred (100) pro bono hours. Additionally, he received the CALI Excellence for the future award in Sports Law. He focuses his practice on corporate, real estate and immigration matters. Fabian has experience representing luxury hotel owners and operators in connection with the drafting of hotel management agreements, restaurant license agreements, and complex restaurant leases for domestic and international projects including: Nobu Tulum, Nobu Punta Cana, Nobu Orlando, Nobu Chicago and the Nickelodeon Hotel in Riviera Maya, Mexico, among others. He has represented clients in the commercial real estate industry in connection with the drafting of purchase and sale agreements, promissory notes, and mortgages. Lastly, Fabian routinely counsels corporate clients in connection with the drafting of articles of organization, operating agreements, and other documents related to acquisitions, restructurings and investments.
May 9, 2023
N'kia N.
I am a business law attorney with substantial experience with contracts and contract disputes. I support both "professional" services provider (such as consultants and advisors) and "creative" services providers (such as creators and ghostwriters). Future-proof your business with contracts that are customized to your unique goals. My special interests include services agreements, employment agreements, severance agreements, independent contractor agreements, termination agreements, restrictive covenants (such as confidentiality agreements/non-disclosure agreements, non-competition agreements, non-solicitation agreements, and non-disparagement agreements), alternative resolution agreements, and settlement agreements. *** Any reference to a "FREE consultation" is for a "Discovery Call" (legal information or information about my services). For legal advice, please schedule a "Strategy Call." [All calls are by appointment.] [I am not currently accepting new clients for disputes related to construction contracts or defects, real estate transactions, commercial or residential leases, or employment.] Address is for mail only.
May 9, 2023
Venus C.
Venus Caruso is a Florida-based attorney who has been helping companies and professionals with their contract needs for over 18 years. She leverages her 10 years spent as a complex commercial litigator and 7 years spent as in-house legal counsel to advise and guide clients on business matters involving commercial transactions and contracts, from drafting and redlining to advising. The types of contracts Venus handles include NDAs, confidentiality agreements, independent contractor agreements, employment agreements, consulting agreements, services agreements, marketing agreements, commission agreements, distribution agreements, non-competition and non-solicitation agreements, non-circumvention agreements, sales rep agreements, vendor agreements, Florida LLC operating agreements, contract amendments, and termination of contract agreements (among others). In addition to contracts, Venus helps companies with internal company policies, external policies, templates, forms, codes of conduct, and consumer facing web terms and policies. Past representative clients include public companies, national law firms, startups, small and mid-sized businesses, directors and officers, consultants, professionals, and health care facilities and providers.
May 22, 2023
Erik W.
Erik J. Washington completed his undergraduate studies at Florida A&M University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance. Mr. Washington went on to earn his Juris Doctor from Florida A&M University College of Law. Upon receiving his J.D., Mr. Washington was admitted to The Florida Bar and the United States District Court, Middle District of Florida. Mr. Washington started his legal career by working with a boutique Orlando law firm where his practice concentrated on family law, bankruptcy, helping clients with estate planning and probate matters, and advising homeowner’s association boards on proper administration. After that experience Mr. Washington later joined another mid-size Orlando law firm where he would eventually become the Managing Consumer Bankruptcy Attorney where he oversaw the filing and administration of hundreds of chapter 7 and chapter 13 cases. Prior to starting the Washington Law Firm, Mr. Washington was an associate at a Central Florida Bankruptcy law firm working under the tutu ledge of a highly respected bankruptcy attorney with over 20 years of bankruptcy experience. Mr. Washington has learned that bankruptcy is a tool designed that not only benefits a person in debt but is also good for the economy as a whole. It is because this new beginning and fresh start that it becomes a means of not only helping a person in debt, but it gives that person once in debt the chance to reestablish good credit and yet again borrow money to spend. Mr. Washington focuses on consumer bankruptcy, real estate, probate, and auto accidents.
May 22, 2023
Christopher M.
Skilled and experienced business attorney with vast experience in a wide array of commercial contracts. Strong emphasis on the lodging and hospitality practice field, including real estate acquisition and disposition, management agreements, franchise agreements, design & construction contracting and finance.
May 17, 2023
Ellen B.
Generated 20+ types of legal documents: contractual agreements, settlement agreements, demand letters, court orders, motions, mediation reports, briefs, complaints. Maintained active caseloads of 30+ clients at a time in high conflict, high emotional costs litigation. Prepared for daily client meetings, weekly trials, multiple daily hearings by creating legal documentation, timelines, case notes, conducting research.
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